Patent ID: 7384259

Claim:
A manifold for distributing flowing plastic from an extruder to multiple extrusion passages of an extrusion die assembly comprising: a manifold body having an inlet for receiving said flowing plastic from said extruder, said manifold body constructed with at least two distribution passages each of said passages extending from said inlet to an outlet in a downstream face of said manifold body, said at least two distribution passages being connected to said extrusion die assembly to supply flowing plastic to the passages thereof; a valve mounted in each of said at least two manifold distribution passages, constructed with an internal passage extending from an upstream opening to a downstream opening, said valves mounted to form continuous passages with said distribution passages; and an adjustment mechanism further comprising: a valve body slidably mounted within each of said internal passages having a first valve element; a second valve element fixed in said internal passage in a position to engage the first valve element, wherein relative movement of said first and second valve elements operates to adjust the volume of plastic flowing in said internal passages; an adjustment lever mounted for pivotal movement about a fulcrum on said manifold and having first and second ends, wherein said first end extends into engagement with the valve body on one side of the fulcrum, and said second end extends to a distal end on the other side of the fulcrum; an adjuster mounted on said distal end of the lever to cause pivotal movement of the lever about the fulcrum; and a spring operatively engaging said valve body to provide a force tending to move the valve body into an open position, wherein movement of the adjustment lever causes relative movement of said first and second valve elements.