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A hot runner apparatus for a mold assembly of an injection molding machine includes a hot runner plate assembly having a first end portion and a second end portion and a machine axis extending therebetween. At least one insert coupling having an axial bore is secured to the first end portion of the

A hot runner apparatus for a mold assembly of an injection molding machine includes a hot runner plate assembly having a first end portion and a second end portion and a machine axis extending therebetween. At least one insert coupling having an axial bore is secured to the first end portion of the hot runner plate assembly, for separable sealed engagement with a gate insert affixed to a cold half of the mold assembly. The insert coupling includes a coupling interface for contacting a mating interface of the gate insert in sealed contact during an injection cycle of the injection molding machine. The coupling interface includes a primary side surface that is inclined relative to the machine axis.

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1. A hot runner apparatus for a mold assembly of an injection molding machine, comprising: a) a hot runner plate assembly having a first end portion and a second end portion and a machine axis extending therebetween;b) at least one insert coupling secured to the first end portion of the hot runner p

1. A hot runner apparatus for a mold assembly of an injection molding machine, comprising: a) a hot runner plate assembly having a first end portion and a second end portion and a machine axis extending therebetween;b) at least one insert coupling secured to the first end portion of the hot runner plate assembly for separable sealed engagement with a gate insert affixed to a cold half of the mold assembly, the at least one insert coupling having an axial bore extending therethrough and a coupling interface for contacting a mating interface of the gate insert in sealed contact during an injection cycle of the injection molding machine, the coupling interface including a primary side surface that is inclined relative to the machine axis; andc) at least one nozzle assembly mounted to the hot runner plate assembly, the at least one nozzle assembly extending parallel to the machine axis and including a nozzle tip, the nozzle tip having a proximal portion received in the bore, and a distal portion extending beyond the insert coupling for engaging the gate insert during the injection cycle. 2. The hot runner apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling interface is free of any surface that both contacts the gate insert and is parallel to the machine axis. 3. The hot runner apparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling interface further comprises an insert coupling end face orthogonal to the machine axis. 4. The hot runner apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary side surface provides the only lateral contact between the insert coupling and the gate insert. 5. The hot runner apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insert coupling comprises a first insert portion recessed within the hot runner plate assembly, and a second insert portion extending proud of the hot runner plate assembly. 6. The hot runner apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second insert portion comprises the primary side surface. 7. The hot runner apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insert coupling further comprises a cylindrical side surface proximal to the primary side surface, wherein the cylindrical side surface is spaced apart from adjacent surfaces of the gate insert during the injection cycle of the injection molding machine. 8. The hot runner apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary side surface is frustoconical. 9. The hot runner apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the nozzle tip comprises an insulator, the insulator including a radially outwardly extending insulator flange, and the insert coupling comprises a distal insert flange directed radially inwardly, wherein the insulator flange is positioned axially immediate the distal insert flange and the proximal portion of the nozzle tip. 10. The hot runner apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insert coupling comprises a proximal insert flange for securing the insert coupling to the hot runner plate assembly. 11. A mold gate apparatus for a mold assembly of an injection molding machine, the mold gate assembly comprising: a) a nozzle tip extending parallel to a machine axis and comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion;b) an insert coupling fixed relative to the nozzle tip and comprising a bore in which the proximal portion of the nozzle tip is received, the insert coupling comprising a primary side surface that is inclined with respect to the machine axis; andc) a gate insert axially displaceable relative to the insert coupling, the gate insert having a seat surface directed towards the nozzle tip, a contact surface positioned proximally of the first surface, a cavity surface axially opposite the seat surface and forming a portion of a mold cavity, and a gate between the seat surface and the cavity surface, wherein during an injection cycle of the injection molding machine, the seat surface engages the distal portion of the nozzle tip such that the gate receives melt from the nozzle tip, and the contact surface contacts the primary side surface in sealed contact. 12. The mold gate apparatus of claim 11, wherein the insert coupling is free of any surface that both contacts the gate insert and is parallel to the machine axis. 13. The mold gate apparatus of claim 11, wherein: a) the gate insert comprises an abutment surface orthogonal to the machine axis and extending between the seat surface and the contact surface; andb) the insert coupling comprises an insert coupling end face orthogonal to the machine axis for contacting the abutment surface in sealed contact during the injection cycle of the injection molding machine. 14. The mold gate apparatus of claim 11, wherein the contact between the contact surface and the primary side surface provides the only lateral contact between the insert coupling and the gate insert. 15. The mold gate apparatus of claim 11, wherein the insert coupling further comprises a cylindrical side surface proximal to the primary side surface, wherein the cylindrical side surface is spaced apart from adjacent surfaces of the gate insert during the injection cycle of the injection molding machine. 16. The mold gate apparatus of claim 11, wherein the primary side surface is frustoconical. 17. The mold gate apparatus of claim 11, wherein the distal portion of the nozzle tip comprises an insulator, the insulator including a radially outwardly extending insulator flange, and the insert coupling comprises a distal insert flange directed radially inwardly, wherein the insulator flange is positioned axially immediate the distal insert flange and the proximal portion of the nozzle tip.