Hot runner nozzle for lateral gate

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hot runner nozzle for lateral gating of plastic parts, having a nozzle body (2) and a pressure lid (3), wherein tip elements (7) are disposed between the nozzle body (2) and the pressure lid (3), the tip elements (7) are inserted into recesses (6) in the nozzle body (2) and pierced by movable closure needles (14) having tips (15), the closure needles (14) each protruding beyond the outer periphery of the nozzle body in at least one operating position, the closure needles (14) including, at an end opposite the tips (15), coupling means (16), which coupling means (16) are coupled to drive means (28, 29) for moving the closure needles (14), and the tip elements (7) are further supported on support elements (20) opposite the tips (15) of the closure needles (14), the support elements (20) being inserted between the nozzle body (2) and the pressure lid (3).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The invention relates to a hot runner nozzle for a lateral gate according to the preamble of claim 1. [Background technology]

[0002] In plastic injection molding techniques, it is often necessary to gate plastic parts transversely, i.e., perpendicular or at an angle to the demolding direction. For this purpose, so-called lateral gate hot runner nozzles, also known as lateral gate nozzles, are used, which comprise a nozzle body and a tip element. To achieve good temperature control of the melt up to the molded part surface, the nozzle tip or tip element must be guided to the molded part surface. Regarding this technical background, WO 2010 / 127965 is cited.

[0003] Proceeding from this solution, the present invention starts in a structurally simple manner with the aim of structurally further optimizing the structure known from WO 2010 / 127965. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The present invention achieves this object by the subject matter of claim 1. Furthermore, it provides the advantageous subject matter of claim 25. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be inferred from the dependent claims.

[0005] According to claim 1, the following subject matter is provided: A hot runner nozzle for lateral gating of plastic parts, having a nozzle body and a pressure lid, wherein tip elements are disposed between the nozzle body and the pressure lid, the tip elements are inserted into recesses in the nozzle body, and are pierced by movable closure needles having tips, each of which protrudes beyond the outer periphery of the nozzle body at least in its operating position, and the closure needles each have connecting means on an end opposite the tips, the connecting means being connected to a drive means for moving the closure needles.

[0006] Furthermore, the tip elements are supported on the sides opposite the respective tips of the obturator needles on support elements inserted between the nozzle body and the pressure lid.

[0007] This type of support element can be separately installed on the nozzle body, preferably removable, facilitating on the one hand the installation of the tip element and on the other hand also its removal, for example during maintenance. Furthermore, the support element contributes in a simple way to very good support of the respective tip element, while nevertheless achieving a simple structural design that allows the end of the closure means to be well connected with the drive means.

[0008] Also, according to the invention of claim 1, the closing needle can have one, two or more operating positions or positions close to said operating positions, and it is preferred that the closing needle be moved to a particularly suitable one of the operating positions to influence the gate quality and / or melt flow.

[0009] The operating position can be influenced directly or via a corresponding action or a corresponding configuration of the drive means. This action and / or configuration can also be performed such that the closure needle can have different speeds during the opening and closing movements.

[0010] In particular, when using an electric drive, each closing needle can be positioned very precisely and approached to its operating position at a predetermined speed or speed curve as a function of the injection curve over the injection time. The closing needle can influence the melt flow rate at the melt outlet area. Furthermore, the closing needle can be extended into the mold and retracted to the mold surface via a controller. The positioning to the different operating positions is carried out by the drive means of each closing needle, and the position of the closing needle is approached at a predetermined speed or speed curve.

[0011] According to one preferred variant, the tip elements each include a heat conductor and a respective closed needle penetrating the heat conductor, for example towards both sides.

[0012] According to a further preferred variant, each tip element further comprises a needle seal and a guide sleeve through which the respective closure needle also passes completely, for example towards both sides, which needle seal and guide sleeve ensure good sealing and good guidance of the closure needle moving towards the support element.

[0013] Preferably, a sealing sleeve portion can be formed on the heat conductor for supporting the tip element on the side of the tool opposite the support element, and the sealing sleeve portion can be formed integrally with the heat conductor or as a separate sleeve from the heat conductor.

[0014] It can further be advantageously provided that the sealing sleeve portion is made of a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the thermal conductor, so that heat conduction through the sealing sleeve portion is kept low. Thus, the sealing sleeve portion may consist of, for example, titanium or a titanium alloy and a heat conductor of copper or a copper alloy.

[0015] The support element comprises a ring-shaped, cubic or polygonal base body on which at least two elements are directly or indirectly supported. Thus, the present invention is well suited for use with hot runner nozzles having different geometric shapes and is not limited to the shapes described above.

[0016] It is further shown that the tip of the closure needle projects beyond the outer periphery of the nozzle body and—at least in one of the functional positions to which each closure needle can be moved—the support element is essentially disposed between the drive means and the tip element, and the present invention can be easily and successfully implemented with hot runner nozzles having such different geometries.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, it is conveniently and advantageously provided that the support element comprises at least one bridge portion, at least one of which is pierced by one of the closing needles, the end of the closing needle opposite the tip portion protruding from the bridge portion, and the connecting means being connected to the drive means.

[0018] The connection of the closure needle to the drive means can thus be easily carried out without support elements hindering this connection. Furthermore, according to another option, it is shown that the tip elements are supported particularly advantageously by the respective bridge sections of the ring-shaped support element overlapping the stepped sections of the heat conductor or the needle seal and guide sleeve of the respective tip element.

[0019] Furthermore, it is shown to be advantageous that the ring-shaped support element is configured to be installable after the tip element and to be removed before the tip element, thereby simplifying the overall installation and removal of the tip element.

[0020] It is structurally simple if the coupling means are formed as one-piece or multi-piece elements, which can be formed for example as angles or hammerheads, each of which engages with the drive means. The drive means may include a plurality of angled guides into which correspondingly shaped elements engage.

[0021] Here it is advantageously shown that the slotted guide of the ring-shaped drive means is aligned partially or entirely obliquely with respect to the direction of movement of the drive means to move the closure needle back and forth.

[0022] The slotted guide may be formed, for example, as a straight line or as a curved line. According to one variant, the slotted guide can be formed as an oval hole, but also closed towards one side. With regard to the needle seal and guide sleeve, it is advantageous that the needle seal and guide sleeve are screwed onto the heat conductor so that the needle seal and guide sleeve are easily and securely fixed to the heat conductor.

[0023] The needle seal and guide sleeve are shown formed with a through hole for guiding the sealed closure needle. This means that the gap between the closing needle and the bore of the needle seal and guide sleeve is dimensioned to be narrow, so that on the one hand axial mobility of the closing needle is provided, but on the other hand melt cannot pass through the needle seal and guide sleeve to any practically significant extent. The closing needle and needle seal and guide sleeve preferably have essentially the same or similar coefficients of thermal expansion for this purpose.

[0024] It is advantageous if a hole is formed in the heat conductor through which the closing needle passes, and a ring channel is formed around the closing needle between the end of the heat conductor opposite the tip and the needle seal and guide sleeve, the channel being configured for the melt to pass through.Furthermore, at least one or more feed holes extending obliquely relative to the ring channel can be formed in the heat conductor to feed the melt from the nozzle body into the ring channel.

[0025] It is further shown that the needle seal and guide sleeve are screwed onto the heat conductor, which is easy to pre-install and in this way the needle seal and guide sleeve are held securely in the heat conductor.

[0026] Furthermore, a particularly advantageous nozzle holder is shown. According to a further variant, it is advantageously shown that the support element is configured to be removable and preferably includes removal means for removal. In this way, the support element can be easily replaced.

[0027] It is shown in a structurally advantageous and simple manner that the ring-shaped support element is arranged radially outside a drive ring forming the drive means.

[0028] Because only a single support element is provided, and only a single support element is installed and removed as needed, although this is not required, multiple support elements can also be used between the nozzle body and the pressure lid.

[0029] Finally, it is advantageous that the support of the tip element can be arranged on a support element between the tip of the closed needle and the drive means.

[0030] Furthermore, each closure needle can be positioned in a different operating position or can be positioned during operation using a drive means, and / or the position of the closure needle 14 can be or is approached during operation at a predetermined speed or speed curve.

[0031] The present invention also provides an advantageous and simple method for removing one or more tip elements of a hot runner nozzle having a nozzle body and a pressure lid, the tip elements being disposed between the nozzle body and the pressure lid, the tip elements being inserted into recesses in the nozzle body and each tip element being pierced by a movable closure needle having a tip, each closure needle projecting beyond an outer periphery of the nozzle body in at least one operating position, each closure needle having coupling means at an end opposite the tip, the coupling means being coupled to a drive means for moving the closure needle, the tip elements being supported on a support element inserted between the nozzle body and the pressure lid, the method comprising: 100) A step in which a pressure lid is removed; 200) after step 100), removing the one-piece or multi-piece drive means, thereby decoupling each of the tip elements from the drive means; 300) after step 200), removing at least one support element or a plurality of support elements; 400) After step 300), the tip element is removed.

[0032] This removal method is particularly simple since after removing the drive means associated with the hot runner nozzle and the support elements associated with the hot runner nozzle, the tip elements can be directly removed from the hot runner nozzle, respectively, and replaced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of specific examples with reference to the drawings, in which the solutions of the illustrated figures are particularly advantageously suited to the nozzle bodies and tip elements shown in the following figures, but the invention is not limited to these particular embodiments and can also be implemented in other ways within the scope of the claims. [Figure 1a] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a hot runner apparatus having a hot runner nozzle with a plurality of nozzle bodies having tip elements and closure needles inserted therein, and further having a drive for the closure needles. [Figure 1b] FIG. 1b is a view of the device of FIG. 1a without the pressure lid. [Figure 1c] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the tip element installed using an installation tool. [Figure 2] FIG. 1b shows an exploded view of the components of FIG. 1a. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a tip element. [Figure 4a] FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the hot runner nozzle of FIG. 1a without the pressure lid and drive ring, but with several tip elements, support elements, and a pressure ring. [Figure 4b] FIG. 4b is a top view of the device of FIG. 4a. [Figure 5a] FIG. 5 is a top view of the device of FIG. 4 with a drive lever, no pressure lid, and two tip elements. [Figure 5b] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 4 with a drive lever, no pressure lid, and two tip elements. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a hot runner nozzle of the type according to FIGS. 1 and 5 on a forming tool. [Figure 7a] 1A-1C are top cross-sectional views of a pressure cap of a hot runner nozzle in different operating positions, with areas in partial cross-section of a tip element over a mold cavity on a forming tool. [Figure 7b] 1A-1C are top cross-sectional views of a pressure cap of a hot runner nozzle in different operating positions, with areas in partial cross-section of a tip element over a mold cavity on a forming tool. [Figure 7c] 1A-1C are top cross-sectional views of a pressure cap of a hot runner nozzle in different operating positions, with areas in partial cross-section of a tip element over a mold cavity on a forming tool. [Figure 8a] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further hot runner nozzle. [Figure 8b] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a further hot runner nozzle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Terms such as "top" and "bottom" are not to be understood as limiting, but merely relate to respective devices and arrangements in the drawings.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a portion of a hot runner apparatus having a hot runner nozzle 1 configured for lateral gating of plastic parts. For this purpose, a lateral gate hot runner nozzle 1 comprises a nozzle body 2 and a pressure or clamping lid 3 removably fastened onto the nozzle body 2 .

[0036] The hot runner nozzle 1 may further comprise a nozzle holder 4, which may be used to secure the hot runner nozzle or its nozzle body 2 to another element of the hot runner apparatus (not shown here). The pressure lid 3 can be removably fastened to the nozzle body 2 by means of fastening means formed, for example, as one or more screws 5 (FIG. 2).

[0037] The nozzle body 2 can have a generally cylindrical base shape, resulting in a generally cylindrical outer jacket with side surfaces MF. Such an exemplary embodiment is shown in Figures 1a-1c. However, the invention is not so limited. The nozzle body 2 can also have other base shapes. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 8, it is thus roughly cubic, with corresponding solid side surfaces.

[0038] The nozzle body 2 has by definition a main direction of extension HE, which in a cylindrical base shape may be the longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

[0039] The gating or extrusion of the plastic melt takes place transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the main extension direction HE, which may also mean that the extrusion of the plastic takes place exactly or approximately perpendicularly to the side surface MF. The melt can advantageously be ejected perpendicularly to the side surface MF at multiple locations on the side surface MF—at angular offsets in the circumferential direction—by means of the hot runner nozzles 1.

[0040] To achieve this, various functional elements and features are formed between the nozzle body 2 and the pressure lid 3 . The nozzle body 2 therefore has, at its end facing the pressure lid 3, an axial side which is provided with at least one or more radially and circumferentially distributed recesses 6 for arranging and receiving, here by way of example, tip elements 7. Corresponding recesses (not shown here) are formed in the pressure lid 3.

[0041] One of the tip elements 7 is disposed in each recess 6 . The following description of tip element 7 also applies to the further tip elements of Figures 1 to 8. Where only one position of the tip element or the position of tip element 7 at other points is described below, it is clear that these features also apply in the case of multiple tip elements 7, respectively.

[0042] Each tip element 7 - see FIG. 3 - comprises a heat conductor 8 (as a base body), which also structurally forms a kind of base body for each tip element 7. The thermal conductor 8 further comprises a sealing sleeve portion 9. The sealing sleeve portion 9 may be integrally formed with the thermal conductor 8 (as shown here) or may be formed as a sleeve element separate from the thermal conductor 8 (not shown here, see for example WO 2010 / 127965).

[0043] The heat conductors 8 may have a kind of cubic shape, and the individual cubic heat conductors 8 may be aligned approximately radially on the nozzle body 2 (if the nozzle body is cylindrical).

[0044] Each heat conductor 8 has a hole 10 penetrating the heat conductor in the longitudinal direction. The hole 10 is formed in a stepped shape. Thus, the hole 10 includes hole portions 10a, 10b, and 10c (here, three hole portions) of different diameters.

[0045] At one end of the heat conductor 8, the heat conductor 8 includes a kind of protrusion 11, which may be cylindrical. The protrusion faces the tool or mold cavity (FIG. 7), but preferably does not contact it. At the other end, a seal and guide sleeve 12, hereinafter sometimes synonymously referred to as guide sleeve 12, can be inserted into the heat conductor 8, which guide sleeve is here formed as a threaded sleeve with a through hole for sealingly guiding the closure needle 14. The seal and guide sleeve 12 can be screwed into the hole 10b, which has an internal thread.

[0046] Each seal and guide sleeve 12 projects axially from the bore 10 and therefore from the heat conductor 8. The seal and guide sleeve 12 may, for example, include a polygonal end 121 therein. The seal and guide sleeve 12 itself includes a through hole 122.

[0047] The entire tip element 7, i.e. both the heat conductor 8 and the seal and guide sleeve 12, is axially penetrated by a closure needle 14, which further protrudes axially on both sides from the tip element 7. The diameters of the closure needle 14 and the through-hole 122 are matched so that the closure needle 14 is sealed and guided within this hole.

[0048] In contrast, in the region of the hole 10a in front of the seal and guide sleeve 12, the diameter is selected so that a ring channel 13 is formed around the closure needle 14, preferably concentrically, through which the melt is guided to the region of the tip 15 of the closure needle 14, allowing the closure needle 14 to break through the heat conductor 8.

[0049] At least one feed hole 131, arranged obliquely relative to the ring channel 13, may open into the ring channel 13, through which the melt may exit the nozzle body 2 and be directed into the ring channel 13. A plurality of such feed holes 131 may be provided per tip element 7.

[0050] A displaceably guided closure needle 14 projects with a tip 15 from the projection 11 in at least one operating position and can be moved back and forth by means of the drive means of the drive device.

[0051] In order to achieve good temperature control of the melt up to the surface of the molded article, the closed needle 14 must be guided with its tip 15 to the surface of the molded article (FIGS. 6, 7a-7c). The plastic part to be injected or manufactured is injected into a mold W (hereinafter also referred to as the molding tool), of which is shown, inter alia, a mold plate F, which includes a gate hole A associated with a mold cavity FN. The gate hole A for the plastic can be closed by a closing needle 14, the tip of which seals the closed gate hole A in the mold plate F in the closed position of Figure 7a, so that plastic cannot enter the mold. The closing needle 14 with tip 15 is retracted in Figure 7b, so that the melt can flow through the gate hole A. The ejection position for ejecting the plastic part is shown in Figure 7c.

[0052] On the axial side away from the pressure lid 3 - at the top in Figure 1 - the nozzle body 2 includes at least one melt inlet opening (Figure 5 - not fully visible here) to the melt channel 17, which can be divided into sub-channels 18, each of which opens into one of the oblique holes 131, so that the melt is led through this hole 131 to the main channel 13 and through the gate hole A to the mold cavity FN.

[0053] In order to move the closure needle 14 by means of the drive means, the closure needle 14, which at its end opposite the tip 15 protrudes from the heat conductor 8, the seal and the guide sleeve 12, comprises at its end opposite the tip 15 a coupling means 16 for coupling the closure needle 14 to the drive means. This coupling means 16 is embodied here in a simple way as an angle extending approximately perpendicular to the main extension direction of the closure needle 14.

[0054] The heat conductor 8 at its outermost end of the tip element 7 forms a protrusion 11 which projects radially outward beyond the periphery of the nozzle body 2 .

[0055] After being inserted into the recess 6, the tip element 7 is laterally held by a radially outer portion of the circumferential wall 19, which is penetrated by the protrusion 11 and the sealing sleeve portion 9 of the tip element 7, respectively, and which is configured to be held in one or more directions by the rear support element 20, at least in a high temperature state.

[0056] The tip element is held laterally by further walls 21, 22 of the recess 6. The tip element is held above and below by the nozzle body 2 and the pressure lid 3.

[0057] The sealing sleeve portion 9 is further supported on a forming tool W (see Figures 4, 7c). In the hot state, each tip element is supported in this way between the tool and the support element 20.

[0058] The tip elements 7 can be inserted with some play into the recesses 6 in the cold state using a tool, for example a screw 23 (Fig. 1c), which is screwed into a threaded hole 24 in the tip element and can be released after insertion. In the hot state, the tip elements are firmly seated in these recesses 6, resulting in a fixation of the heat conductor 8 between the support element 20 and the tool, on which the sealing sleeve part 9 itself is supported.

[0059] The support elements 20 are configured to be insertable into the nozzle body 2 and removable from the nozzle body 2. The support elements 20 in particular form, per tip element 7 respectively, a bridge portion 201 of the U-shaped type. The support element 20 can include removal means for removal, which are configured as at least one threaded hole 31 into which a screw or the like can be screwed and by means of which the support element can be removed (see FIG. 1b). In this way the support element can be easily replaced if required.

[0060] 1, each bridge 201 can overlap the tip element 7 from above, in the direction of the pressure lid 3, for example in the region of each polygonal end or step, and after installation in the main extension direction HE of the pressure lid, can be fixed, for example radially inward, preferably perpendicular to the main extension direction HE. The bridges 201 required in this way all around for the circumferentially distributed tip elements 7 are combined to form a containing element.

[0061] 1 to 7, the containing element including the plurality of bridge portions 201 is a ring, for example, a circular closed polygonal ring. Each bridge portion 201 then overlaps, for example, a respective polygonal end 121 of a respective needle seal and guide sleeve 12 . The lower web 202 of the bridge section 201 is held on a collar 25 (FIG. 4a) or in a recess 6 or the like in the nozzle body 2, and the support element 20 is firmly supported thereon.

[0062] The tip element 7 can be installed in this way as well, first the tip element 7 (FIG. 1c) and then the support element 20, here a ring-shaped support element 20.

[0063] In this state, the tip element 7 is then pressed by the pressure lid 3 onto the nozzle body 2 in the main direction of extension HE, so that in the heated state of the hot runner nozzle, the surface of the tip element 7 itself is supported at least on the web 202 of the support element 20. It is also shown here that the support of the tip element 7 is arranged on the support element 20 between the tip 15 of the closure needle 14 and the drive means 28, 29.

[0064] For example, the coupling means 16 of the closure needle 14, which is an angle, can engage in a slotted guide 26 of a drive means, here a rotatable drive ring 27, said coupling means 16 being rotatable with the drive means. For this purpose, the drive ring 27 can be connected, for example, to a shaft 30 (FIG. 6) which is connected to a drive lever 29, and this shaft 30 can be moved, for example via a motor or the like (not shown here), and can be rotated, for example, in the circumferential direction and in the opposite direction.

[0065] The drive ring 27 can be located radially inside the ring-shaped support element 20 of FIG. 1, and by rotating the drive ring 27 having slotted guides 26 aligned obliquely to the circumferential direction, the closure needles 14 are then easily moved back and forth together to open and close the gate hole A.

[0066] The slotted guide 26 may be formed in another shape, such as a straight slot with an angled engagement, or in another shape. This type of drive is advantageous, although other types of drive may also be selected.

[0067] As shown in all figures, it is advantageously shown that the support of the tip element 7 on the support element 20 is arranged between the tip 15 of the closure needle 14 and the drive means 28, 29.

[0068] In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 8, the nozzle body 2 is cubically shaped. The pressure lid 3 can be correspondingly polygonally shaped. Here, the pressure lid 3 is made up of two parts. It can then be fixed to the nozzle body 2 using fastening means such as screws 5 (Figure 8b).

[0069] A recess 6 for a tip element 7 is in turn formed in the nozzle body 2. The tip element 7 can be shaped as shown in Figure 3. Alternatively, the recess 6 can be shaped like the recess 6 in Figure 1.

[0070] The drive means can here not be formed as a rotatable ring, but as a linearly movable drive bar 28 including a slotted guide (not visible here) into which the coupling means 16 engages. Here, the slotted guide can be configured such that the closure needle 14 is moved back and forth upon linear movement of the drive bar 28.

[0071] The drive bar 28 is movable by a drive device not shown here. For example, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, the tip elements 7 may be oriented such that one or more oppositely facing tip elements 7 are provided towards opposite sides of the nozzle body 2 .

[0072] The recess 6 may be configured similarly to the recesses of Figures 1 to 7. This means that in each case there is a front wall 19 oriented towards the forming tool W and side walls 21, 22. The support element may in turn comprise one or more bridge sections 201. Two of the bridge sections may be combined, for example, to form a support element 20, which can be inserted into the nozzle body 2. A support element 20 is formed for each tip element 7, which can also support itself in the opposite direction on the forming tool. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] Code list Hot Runner Nozzle 1 Nozzle body 2 Pressure Lid 3 Nozzle holder 4 Screw 5 Recess 6 Tip element 7 Heat Conductor 8 Seal sleeve part 9 hole 10 Hole 10a, 10b, 10c protrusion 11 Needle seal and guide sleeve 12 Polygonal Edge 121 Through hole 122 Ring Channel 13 Supply hole 131 Closure needle 14 Tip 15 Connection means 16 Melt Channel 17 Subchannel 18 Wall 19 Support element 20 Bridge Section 201 Web 202 Walls 21 and 22 Screw 23 Screw holes 24 Color 25 Slotted guide 26 Drive ring 27 Drive bar 28 Drive lever 29 Shaft 30 Removal means 31 Main extension direction HE Gate hole A Template F Forming tool W Molding cavity FN Side MF

Claims

1. A hot runner nozzle for lateral gating of plastic parts, having a nozzle body (2) and a pressure lid (3), wherein tip elements (7) are disposed between the nozzle body (2) and the pressure lid (3), the tip elements (7) are inserted into recesses (6) in the nozzle body (2) and pierced by movable closure needles (14) having tip ends (15), the closure needles (14) each protruding beyond the outer periphery of the nozzle body in at least one operating position, the closure needles (14) including coupling means (16) at their ends opposite the tip ends (15), the coupling means (16) being coupled to drive means (28, 29) for moving the closure needles (14); The hot runner nozzle is further characterized in that the tip element (7) is supported on a support element (20) opposite each tip end (15) of the closing needle (14), the support element (20) being inserted between the nozzle body (2) and the pressure lid (3), and the support element (20) is configured to be removable.

2. 2. The hot runner nozzle of claim 1, wherein the tip elements (7) each include a heat conductor (8) and a respective closed needle (14) that completely penetrates the heat conductor (8).

3. 3. The hot runner nozzle of claim 2, wherein the tip element (7) further comprises a needle seal and guide sleeve (12) through which each closure needle (14) passes completely.

4. 4. A hot runner nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support element (20) includes removal means (31) for removal.

5. 4. The hot runner nozzle according to claim 2, wherein the heat conductor (8) further comprises a seal sleeve portion (9) for supporting the tip element on a tool on the side opposite the support element (20), the seal sleeve portion (9) being formed integrally with the heat conductor (8) or being a separate sleeve from the heat conductor (8).

6. 6. The hot runner nozzle of claim 5, wherein the seal sleeve portion (9) is made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the thermal conductor (8).

7. 7. A hot runner nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle body (2) is cylindrical or polygonal, two or more tip elements (7) are distributed on the outer periphery of the nozzle body (2), and the support element (20) is positioned essentially between the drive means (28, 29) and the tip elements (7).

8. 8. The hot runner nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the support element (20) includes at least one bridge portion (201), the at least one bridge portion (201) being pierced by one of the closure needles (14), the end of the closure needle (14) opposite the tip portion (15) protruding through the bridge portion (201), and the coupling means (16) being coupled to the drive means (28, 29).

9. 9. The hot runner nozzle of claim 8, wherein the bridge portion (201) of the support element (20) overlaps the stepped portion or needle seal and guide sleeve (12) of the heat conductor (8) of each tip element (7).

10. 10. The hot runner nozzle of claim 1, wherein the support element (20) is configured to be installable in time after the tip element (7) and removable prior to removal of the tip element (7).

11. 11. The hot runner nozzle of claim 1, wherein the coupling means (16) are configured as a one-piece or multi-piece component, each coupling means (16) engaging one of a plurality of slotted guides (26) of the drive means (28, 29).

12. 12. The hot runner nozzle of claim 11, wherein the drive means slotted guide (26) is partially or wholly oblique or curved relative to the direction of drive means movement.

13. 10. The hot runner nozzle of claim 3 or 9, wherein the needle seal and guide sleeve (12) are threaded into the heat conductor (8).

14. 14. The hot runner nozzle of claim 3, 9 or 13, wherein the needle seal and guide sleeve (12) is formed with a through hole (122) for guiding the sealed closure needle (14).

15. A hot runner nozzle as described in claim 3, 9, 13 or 14, wherein a hole (10) is formed in the heat conductor (8) through which the opening and closing needle (14) passes, and a ring channel (13) configured to pass molten material is formed around the closing needle (14), and the closing needle (14) is located between the end of the heat conductor (8) facing the tip (15) and the needle seal and guide sleeve (12).

16. 16. The hot runner nozzle of claim 15, wherein at least one or more supply holes (131) extending obliquely to the ring channel (13) are formed in the heat conductor (8) to supply melt from the nozzle body (2) to the ring channel (13).

17. 17. The hot runner nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the tip element (7) is pressed onto the nozzle body (2) in the main direction of extension (HE) by the pressure lid (3), and the surface of the tip element (7) itself is supported on the web (202) of the support element (20), at least in the heated state of the hot runner nozzle.

18. 18. A hot runner nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the pressure lid (3) in the installed state secures a separate support element (20) against impermissible displacements in the main direction of extension (HE).

19. 19. A hot runner nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the support element (20) comprises a ring-shaped, cubic or polygonal base body on which the at least two tip elements (7) themselves are supported directly or indirectly.

20. 20. A hot runner nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of support elements (20) are inserted between the nozzle body (2) and the pressure lid (3).

21. 21. A hot runner nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the support of the tip element (7) on the support element (20) is arranged between the tip (15) of the closure needle (14) and the drive means (28, 29).

22. 22. A hot runner nozzle according to any preceding claim, wherein by means of the actuation means (28, 29) each closure needle (14) is positionable in different operating positions.

23. 23. A hot runner nozzle according to any preceding claim, wherein by means of the drive means (28, 29) each closure needle (14) can be positioned in different operating positions, and the position of the closure needle (14) can be approached at a predetermined speed or speed curve.

24. A method for removing one or more tip elements (7) from a hot runner having a nozzle body (2) and a pressure lid (3), the tip elements (7) being positioned between the nozzle body (2) and the pressure lid (3), each tip element (7) being inserted into a recess (6) in the nozzle body (2) and each tip element (7) being pierced by a movable closure needle (14) having a tip (15), each closure needle (14) protruding beyond the outer periphery of the nozzle body (2) in at least one operating position, each closure needle (14) having a coupling means (16) at an end opposite the tip (15), the coupling means (16) being coupled to drive means (28, 29) for moving the closure needle (14), the tip elements (7) being supported on a support element (20) inserted between the nozzle body (2) and the pressure lid (3), 100) A step in which the pressure lid (3) is removed; 200) after step 100), removing the drive means (28, 29), thereby disconnecting each of the tip elements (7) from the drive means; 300) After step 200), at least one support element or a plurality of support elements (20) are removed; 400) After step 300), the method comprises the step of removing the tip element (7).

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