Abstract: According to the present invention, a nozzle cap is provided which has a housing end that threadedly engages the nozzle housing to secure the nozzle tip to the nozzle housing. The remainder of the cap substantially fills the space between the nozzle tip and the gate insert while maintaining a small clearance between the cap and both the nozzle tip and the gate insert in the region surrounding an outlet end of the nozzle. The clearance prevents direct conductive heat transfer from the outlet end of the nozzle tip to the gate insert yet is sufficiently small enough to substantially eliminate melt to flow past it.