Valve Bushing and Associated Method of Use

An injection molding apparatus comprising:

• an actuator;
• a manifold having an internal channel for the flow of melted resin;
• a valve stem, having a longitudinal axis, and is operatively connected to the actuator and movable within at least a portion of the internal channel of the manifold;
• and
• a valve bushing that at least partially encircles the valve stem along the longitudinal axis, wherein the valve bushing includes a projecting member;
• and
• an upper member that is positioned adjacent to the projecting member so that when pressure is applied to a bottom portion of the valve bushing, that deflection of the valve bushing occurs along the longitudinal axis of the valve stem, which is then translated into radial constriction, by the projecting member of the valve bushing being wedged against a contacting surface of the upper member, to reduce leakage.

An injection molding apparatus comprising:

• an actuator;
• a manifold having an internal channel for the flow of melted resin;
• a valve stem, having a longitudinal axis, and is operatively connected to the actuator and movable within at least a portion of the internal channel of the manifold;
• a valve bushing that at least partially encircles the valve stem along the longitudinal axis, and includes a projecting member, wherein the projecting member includes a top portion having a ferrule, which includes resilient metal;
• and
• an upper member that is positioned adjacent to the projecting member so that melted resin, without requiring force against a bottom portion of the valve stem, can apply pressure to the ferrule, which is then translated into radial constriction, by the projecting member of the valve bushing being wedged against a contacting surface of the upper member, to reduce leakage.

An injection molding apparatus comprising:

• an actuator located within a backing plate having a surface;
• a manifold having an internal channel for the flow of melted resin and having a surface;
• a valve stem, having a longitudinal axis, and is operatively connected to the actuator and movable within the internal channel of the manifold;
• and
• a valve bushing, having a bottom portion and located between the manifold and the backing plate, that at least partially encircles the valve stem along the longitudinal axis, wherein the valve bushing includes a projecting member that is in contact with the surface of the backing plate so that when pressure is applied to a bottom portion of the valve bushing, that deflection of the valve bushing occurs along the longitudinal axis of the valve stem, which is then translated into radial constriction by the projecting member of the valve bushing to reduce leakage.