Elastically deformable nozzle for injection molding

In an injection molding machine having a manifold for distributing plastic melt flow to one or more mold cavities, wherein the manifold has a flow channel having an output orifice surrounded by a lower outside surface, the manifold being expandable upon heating, a nozzle comprising:

• a body mounted in a receiving aperture in a stationary housing aligned with a gate to a mold cavity, the body having a central bore for delivering plastic melt flow from the channel in the manifold to the mold cavity, the body having an upper surface for engaging with the lower surface of the manifold;
• wherein the body has a lip member comprising an outer downwardly extending leg connected through a radially extending leg section to an inner body section of the body, the outer leg having a surface mounted against a mounting surface of a stationary housing;
• wherein the manifold is mounted adjacent to the stationary housing, the nozzle being mounted in or on the stationary housing such that the upper surface of the body of the nozzle faces the lower surface of the manifold for engagement therewith;
• the lower surface of the manifold engaging the upper surface of the body of the nozzle under compression;
• the outer leg of the lip member being compressed by the compression between the engaged upper surface of the body and the lower surface of the manifold and the radially extending leg section being twisted by the compression between the engaged upper surface of the body and the lower surface of the manifold.

In an injection molding machine having a manifold for distributing plastic melt flow to one or more mold cavities, wherein the manifold has a lower surface, the manifold being expandable upon heating, a nozzle mounted in a receiving aperture of a stationary housing aligned with a gate of a mold cavity, the nozzle comprising:

• an inner body having a central bore for delivering plastic melt flow from a channel in the manifold to the mold cavity, the inner body having an upper surface for engaging with the lower surface of the manifold;
• an outer body having a central bore within which the inner body is mounted, wherein the outer body has a lip member comprising an outer leg and an inner leg and a radially extending arm interconnecting the outer and inner legs, the outer leg having a surface mounted against a mounting surface of the stationary housing, the inner body having a lower surface mounted against a mounting surface of the inner leg;
• wherein the manifold is mounted adjacent to the stationary housing, the nozzle being mounted in the receiving aperture such that the upper surface of the inner body of the nozzle faces the lower surface of the manifold for engagement therewith;
• the lower surface of the manifold engaging the upper surface of the inner body of the nozzle under compression;
• the outer leg of the lip member being compressed by the compression between the engaged upper surface of the inner body and the lower surface of the manifold.

In an injection molding machine having a manifold for distributing plastic melt flow to one or more mold cavities, wherein the manifold has a lower surface, the manifold being expandable upon heating, a nozzle mounted in a receiving aperture of a stationary housing aligned with a gate of a mold cavity, the nozzle comprising:

• an inner body having a central bore for delivering plastic melt flow from a channel in the manifold to the mold cavity, the inner body having an upper surface for engaging with the lower surface of the manifold;
• an outer body having a central bore within which the inner body is mounted, wherein the outer body has a lip member comprising a downwardly extending outer leg connected through a radially extending leg section to a main body member of the outer body, the outer leg having a surface mounted against a mounting surface of the stationary housing, the inner body having a lower surface mounted against a mounting surface of the main body member;
• wherein the manifold is mounted adjacent to the stationary housing, the nozzle being mounted in the receiving aperture such that the upper surface of the upper body of the nozzle faces the lower surface of the manifold for engagement therewith;
• the lower surface of the manifold engaging the upper surface of the inner body of the nozzle under compression;
• the outer leg of the lip member being compressed by the compression between the engaged upper surface of the inner body and the lower surface of the manifold and the radially extending leg section being twisted by the compression.