Patent ID: 8490643

Claim:
A diverter valve for controlling input of two different extruded materials to a mold for molding one of said materials covering the other of said materials, comprising: a valve body having an axially extending opening therethrough; a valve piston selectively axially movable in said body opening between a first position and a second position; wherein: said valve body defines a first inlet in one side adapted to received a first extruded material, and a second inlet in said one side adapted to receive a second extruded material, a first outlet in the side opposite of said one side, and a second outlet in the opposite side, a first flushing channel communicating with said first inlet and including end ports open to said axial opening, a second flushing channel communicating with said second inlet and including end ports opening to said axial opening, and a third flushing channel communicating with said second outlet and including a plurality of ports opening to said axial opening, said piston defines first and second through channels extending between said one side and said opposite side, a first cross-over channel having an inlet side port and an outlet side port, and a second cross-over channel having an inlet side port and an outlet side port; whereby in said first position, said first through channel connects said first inlet with said first outlet and said second through channel connects said second inlet with said second outlet, said valve piston blocks said end ports of said first flushing channel, and said first and second cross-over channels connect said second and third flushing channels to allow flow of material therein from the second inlet, and in said second position, said first cross-over channel connects said first inlet with said second outlet and said second cross-over channel connects said second inlet with said first outlet, said valve piston blocks said end ports of said second flushing channel, and said first and second through channels connect said first and third flushing channels to allow flow of material therein from the first inlet.