Apparatus for retaining a heater on an injection molding nozzle

Abstract

An apparatus for retaining a heater on an injection molding nozzle comprises a retaining body configured to fit around the injection molding nozzle. The retaining body has two flanges extending inward. One is configured to be received in a groove in the injection molding nozzle; the other is configured to be received in a groove in the heater. An axial slot allows the retaining body to elastically spread outward. The retaining body also has at least one aperture that receives a thermocouple. The aperture is preferably an elongated hole having an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the retaining body. Preferably the heater is a thick-film heater and the thermocouple is installed adjacent one on the resistive elements of the thick-film heater. When the resistive elements produce different heat levels, the thermocouple is preferably installed adjacent the resistive element that produces the greatest heat.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.