Patent ID: 7766647

Claim:
An injection molding apparatus, comprising: a manifold defining a manifold melt channel, the manifold being configured to receive melt from a melt source; a nozzle coupled to the manifold, wherein the nozzle defines a nozzle melt channel that is in fluid communication with the manifold melt channel; a self-regulating valve having a control rod partially positioned and slidable within the manifold melt channel at a location where the manifold melt channel has a 90° turn towards the nozzle, the control rod including an upstream end, an opening that extends through the control rod, and a tip pressure surface at a downstream end; and an external force device coupled to the upstream end of the control rod, wherein the self-regulating valve is configured to regulate melt flowing from the manifold melt channel through the control rod opening to the nozzle melt channel in response to an axial force exerted by the external force device on the upstream end of the control rod and a fluid pressure exerted by the melt on the tip pressure surface at the downstream end of the control rod.