NOZZLE FOR GAS ASSISTED INJECTION MOLDING

A nozzle for the injection of a viscous fluid, such as a thermoplastic and a non-viscous fluid such as a gas into a mold cavity of a mold body includes a valve element mounted for reciprocation in a nozzle body flow passage to control a flow of viscous fluid through the nozzle body discharge end and into a mold cavity. The valve element includes a barrel having a first end selectively engaging a portion of the nozzle body discharge end to prevent a flow of viscous fluid therepast and a second end. A bore extends longitudinally through the barrel and a pin is positioned in the barrel bore. The pin has a first end located adjacent the barrel first end and a second end which is secured to the valve element such that the pin moves with the barrel as it reciprocates in the nozzle body. A non-viscous fluid flow passage is defined between the pin and the barrel.