Nozzle retaining apparatus

In an injection molding apparatus for stack molding having a plurality of heated nozzles with each nozzle having a rear end, a front end, and a central melt bore for conveying melt to a gate leading to a cavity in a mold adjacent the front end of the nozzle, wherein a melt distribution manifold secured to a first manifold retainer plate is mounted between the first manifold retainer plate and a second manifold retainer plate secured to the first manifold retainer plate, a first group of the nozzles are seated in the first manifold retainer plate with the front ends of the first group of the nozzles extending away from the melt distribution manifold in one common direction, each nozzle of the first group of the nozzles being retained in a seat in the first manifold retainer plate by a face of the melt distribution manifold abutting against the rear end of the nozzle, a second group of the nozzles are seated in the second manifold retainer plate with the front ends of the second group of nozzles extending away from the melt distribution manifold in a common direction opposite to the direction in which the first group of the nozzles extend, the improvement further comprising;

• nozzle retaining apparatus for retaining each nozzle of the second group of nozzles in a respective seat in the second manifold retainer plate during assembly and disassembly comprising a main body having a screw opening therethrough, a retaining pin extending laterally from the main body into a matching opening in the nozzle, and a screw extending through the screw opening in the main body into a threaded hole in the second manifold retainer plate to removably secure the main body and the retaining pin to the second manifold retainer plate.