Apparatus for removing melt from a melt residue stagnation zone in an injection molding apparatus

An injection molding apparatus, comprising:

• a) a manifold defining a plurality of runners, wherein the plurality of runners are in fluid communication with a manifold inlet, and wherein each of the runners has an outlet, and wherein the manifold is positionable so that the manifold inlet is downstream from a melt source, and wherein each runner includes a corner portion prior to each outlet, wherein the corner portion is configured to convey the melt through a non-zero angle, wherein each runner includes an outlet portion that extends generally linearly between the corner portion and the outlet;
• b) a plurality of nozzles, each nozzle including a nozzle melt channel, wherein each nozzle melt channel is positioned downstream from the outlet portion of one of the runners and upstream from a gate into a mold cavity defined in a mold block;
• c) a plurality of gating systems, wherein each gating system includes a valve pin and a valve pin actuator, wherein each valve pin extends into the outlet portion of one of the runners and into the nozzle melt channel of one of the nozzles and wherein the valve pin is movable between an open position wherein the valve pin is spaced from the gate, and a closed position wherein the valve pin prevents melt flow to the mold cavity;
• and
• d) a plurality of stagnation zone cleaners, wherein each stagnation zone cleaner is movable independently of the valve pin, between a retracted position wherein the stagnation zone cleaner is retracted from the runner, and an advanced position wherein the stagnation zone cleaner extends into a portion of the runner shielded by the valve pin from melt flow upstream from the valve pin.

An injection molding apparatus, comprising:

• a manifold defining a melt conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the melt conduit having a corner portion downstream of the inlet and upstream of the outlet relative to melt flow through the melt conduit, wherein the corner portion is changes a direction of melt flow through the melt conduit,
• a nozzle including a nozzle melt conduit positioned downstream from the outlet of the melt conduit and upstream from a gate into a mold cavity defined in a mold block;
• a valve pin and a valve pin actuator, wherein the valve pin extends through the outlet of the melt conduit and into the nozzle melt conduit of one of the nozzle and wherein the valve pin is movable between an open position wherein the valve pin is spaced from the gate, and a closed position wherein the valve pin prevents melt flow to the mold cavity;
• and
• a stagnation zone cleaner and stagnation zone cleaner actuator, the stagnation zone cleaner being movable independently of the valve pin by the stagnation zone actuator between a retracted position and an advanced position in which the stagnation zone cleaner extends into a portion of the melt conduit for urging melt out of the corner portion of the melt conduit.