Patent attributes
To facilitate cleaning of melt channels in a runner system (102) in a centre-section carrier (20) or the like, a multi-piece interface adaptor (114, 116, 118) is detailed in FIG. 4. A male portion(114) of the interface adaptor (112) is securely coupled to the runner system (102) to extend the melt channel (63) thereof. The male portion (114) preferably includes a branching feature (124) that splits melt flow into opposing directions to feed distinct nozzles (60, 62). A female portion (116) of the interface adaptor includes bores (144, 146) that align with the branching feature (124, 134, 136) and support the mounting of nozzles (60, 62) therein. The female portion (116) is fixedly secured within the carrier (20). The male portion (114) and the female portion (116) are slidably engageable with one another along sealing surfaces (130, 220). At system operating temperatures, effective operational sealing occurs as a result of relative thermal expansion between the male portion (114) and the female portion (116). At lower temperatures, pulling of the runner system (102) along an axis aligned with its melt channel (63) permits the male portion (114) to be separated from the female portion (116) by disengaging the sealing surfaces (130, 220), thereby granting easy access to the melt channels and the branching feature (124) when the runner system (102) is removed from the carrier (20).
