Gas assist needle in a molding machine

A gas-assisted injection molding machine needle disposed in a molding machine, said molding machine having a mold cavity, said molding machine needle comprising:

• a tubular member;
• a stem slidably located in the tubular member, the stem being positionable in a raised position and a retracted position and having a central bore;
• a first aperture located in the stem, the first aperture being connected to the central bore, the first aperture being operable for expelling gas when the stem is in the raised position;
• and
• a slot located in the tubular member, the slot being connected to the central bore, the slot being open when the stem is in the retracted position.

A gas injector for use in a gas-assisted injection molding machine, the gas-assisted injection molding machine defining a mold cavity, the gas injector comprising:

• a tubular member;
• a stem slidably located in the tubular member, the stem being positionable in a raised position and a retracted position;
• a central bore extending within the stem for supplying a gas;
• a pair of apertures located in the stem in fluid communication with the central bore, the pair of apertures being operable for supplying the gas into the mold cavity when the stem is in the raised position, a first of the pair of apertures is located in the stem in a position substantially offset relative to a second of the pair of apertures along a longitudinal axis of the stem;
• and
• a slot located in the tubular member, the slot being connected to the central bore, the slot being sized to operably deter a backflow of molten molding material into the central bore when the stem is in the retracted position while simultaneously operable to receive gas from the mold cavity.