Hot runner nozzle for lateral gating

A method for removing one or more tip elements of a hot runner nozzle, having a nozzle body and a pressure lid, wherein the tip element or elements are arranged between the nozzle body and the pressure lid, which are each inserted into a recess of the nozzle body and are each penetrated by a movable closure needle having a tip, each of which protrudes in at least one operating position beyond an outer circumferential edge of the nozzle body, wherein the closure needles each have, on their ends facing away from the tip, a coupling means, which is coupled with a drive means for moving the closure needles, wherein the tip element or elements are supported on a buttress element inserted between the nozzle body and the pressure lid, the method comprising:

• 100) Removing the pressure lid;
• 200) after step 100), the drive means is removed, whereby the respective tip element is decoupled from the drive means;
• 300) after step 200), the buttress element is removed;
• and
• 400) after step 300) the one or more tip elements are removed.