Injection molding flow control apparatus

In an injection molding apparatus, an apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of fluid material from an injection molding machine to a mold cavity, the apparatus comprising:

• a manifold receiving the injected fluid material and having a delivery channel that delivers the fluid material to the mold cavity;
• a pin having an axis and a flow control member disposed along an outside surface of the pin;
• a bushing or insert or plug having a flow rate control channel having a flow axis,
• the bushing or insert or plug being inserted within a complementary aperture within the manifold in an orientation that aligns the flow rate control channel with the delivery channel of the manifold to communicate flow of fluid material from the manifold to the mold cavity;
• the pin being adapted for back and forth axial movement of the pin along the axis of the flow rate control channel,
• the flow rate control channel having a surface adapted to cooperate with the outside surface of the flow control member to control the rate of flow of fluid material on controlled axial movement of the pin.
• a nozzle mounted between the bushing or insert or plug, the nozzle having a nozzle channel communicating with and receiving the fluid material from the flow rate control channel and delivering the fluid material to the mold cavity.