Device and method for producing a tube head, and tube head

An injection molding device for producing at least one tube head with a tube shoulder and neck formed thereon with an extrusion opening, comprising:

• a mold defining a mold hollow space and having a mold insert that substantially defines an outer shape of a tube head and having a core that forms an inner shape of the tube head;
• and
• a nozzle cooperating with the mold, the nozzle comprising:
• a nozzle body defining a nozzle opening;
• and
• a valve needle moveable in a first direction relative to the nozzle body and corresponding to the longitudinal axis of a tube body to be produced, the valve needle comprising a valve needle shaft and a valve needle head, the nozzle opening comprising at least one first annular space surrounding the valve needle to provide a first flow channel for a first material component, wherein when the valve needle is in a retracted position the nozzle opening is closed by the valve needle head to prevent a flow of the first material component through the inlet of the mold, and when the valve needle is in a forwardly displaced position the nozzle opening is opened by the valve needle head to form an annular outlet opening, which matches an annular gap defined by the mold, through which the first material component can flow, to provide a gate opening with a cylindrical section of the mold insert in co-operation with the valve needle head forming a first valve;
• the core having a recess on a front side in the form of a hollow cylinder closed on one side for receiving the valve needle head and for providing lateral guidance in the forwardly displaced position of the valve needle, in the retracted position of the valve needle or in any other position of the valve needle between the forwardly displaced position and the retracted position.