An injection molding machine

An injection molding machine comprising:

• a first and second mold plate configured for axial movement between:
• a closed position where adjacent sides of the first and the second mold plates are abutting each other, forming a substantially closed mold cavity;
• and
• an open position where the adjacent sides of the first and the second mold plates are separated;
• an injection channel for receiving injection molding material at an injection barrel thereof, the injection channel in communication with an injection nozzle opposite the injection barrel along the length of the injection channel, the injection nozzle terminating at a nozzle gate, the nozzle gate in communication with the mold cavity formed by the first and second mold plate;
• and
• a valve member slidably arranged with respect to an outer surface of the injection nozzle, the valve member configured to slide and close the nozzle gate from communication with the mold cavity.

An injection molding machine comprising:

• a first and second mold plate, at least one of the first and second mold plates configured for axial movement toward the other of the first and second mold plates, wherein:
• in a closed position, adjacent sides of the first and the second mold plates are abutting each other, forming a substantially closed mold cavity or channel;
• and
• in an open position, the adjacent sides of the first and the second mold plates are separated;
• an injection channel for receiving injection molding material, the injection channel in communication with a nozzle gate;
• and
• a valve member, wherein:
• in a closed position, the valve member axially slides around the nozzle gate to radially cover the nozzle gate and prevent injection molding material from dispensing therefrom;
• and
• in an open position, the valve member axially slides away from the nozzle gate enabling the nozzle gate to be in communication with the mold cavity or channel formed by the first and second mold plate.