Nozzle-locating insulator having spring-noncontact sections interposed between spring-contact sections

1. A nozzle-locating insulator ( 300 ) for reducing thermal loss from a molding-nozzle assembly of a molding system, comprising:

a body assembly ( 302 ), having:

a spring-facing surface ( 304 ) including:

a plurality of spring-non-contact sections; and

a plurality of spring-contact sections ( 306 ) raised from the spring-non-contact sections for contacting a spring assembly in a mold-tool system,

wherein the spring-contact sections and the spring-non-contact sections being alternately adjacent to each other along an outer circumferential edge of the spring-facing edge.

2. A mold-tool system ( 100 ) having a nozzle-locating insulator ( 300 ) for reducing thermal loss from a molding-nozzle assembly of a molding system, the mold-tool system ( 100 ) comprising:

a molding-nozzle assembly ( 102 ), wherein the molding-nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle housing;

a spring assembly ( 112 );

a body assembly ( 302 ) defining a central passageway ( 309 ) is configured to receive the molding-nozzle assembly ( 102 ) therethrough, the body assembly having:

a spring-facing surface including:

a plurality of spring-non-contact sections;

a plurality of spring-contact sections raised from the spring-non-contact sections for contacting a spring assembly in a mold-tool system;

wherein the spring-contact sections and the spring-non-contact sections being alternately adjacent to each other along an outer circumferential edge of the spring-facing edge,

wherein the spring assembly operates between a portion of the nozzle housing and the body assembly.

3. A molding system ( 200 ) having the mold-tool system ( 100 ) of claim 2 .

4. The nozzle-locating insulator of claim 1 , wherein the one or more spring-contact sections comprise six spring-contact sections separated by one or more spring-no-contact sections.

5. The nozzle-locating insulator of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle-locating insulator defines a central passageway configured to receive the molding-nozzle assembly and wherein the spring assembly operates between the molding-nozzle assembly and the body assembly of the nozzle-locating insulator.

6. The nozzle-locating insulator of claim 1 , wherein the body assembly is made of titanium.

7. The nozzle-locating insulator of claim 1 , wherein the one or more spring-non-contact sections is planar and each of the spring-contact sections is planar.

8. The nozzle-locating insulator of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spring-non-contact sections defines insulating air gaps with the spring assembly when the spring assembly is in contact with the plurality of spring-contact sections.

9. The mold-tool system of claim 2 wherein the plurality of spring-non-contact sections and the spring assembly define insulating air gaps therebetween.