Patent ID: 7465165

Claim:
An injection molding apparatus comprising: a manifold including a heated inlet body having a first melt channel and a distribution branch having a second melt channel, said first melt channel for receiving a melt stream of moldable material from a source and delivering said melt stream to said second melt channel, said distribution branch having a first end coupled to said inlet body, said first end being slidable relative to said inlet body; a nozzle coupled to a second end of said distribution branch, said nozzle having a nozzle channel for receiving said melt stream from said second melt channel; and a mold cavity in communication with said nozzle channel, said mold cavity for receiving said melt stream from said nozzle channel through a mold gate; wherein said distribution branch does not include a heater and includes a tube surrounded by a sleeve, wherein said sleeve is adapted such that thermal expansion of said sleeve provides a seal between said distribution branch and said inlet body.