Patent ID: 8671984

Claim:
A valve assembly for controlling water flow in a faucet, the valve assembly including: a holder defining a longitudinal axis; a laterally extending first sealing surface supported by the holder, the first sealing surface including a hot water inlet port, a cold water inlet port, and a mixed water outlet port; a laterally extending second sealing surface supported by the holder, the second sealing surface sealingly engaging the first sealing surface and including an outer wall and a central portion defining a channel, the channel being movable with the second sealing surface relative to the first sealing surface for selective communication with the hot water inlet port, the cold water inlet port, and the mixed water outlet port, the channel configured to extend intermediate and laterally outwardly from the hot water inlet port and the cold water inlet port; and wherein movement of the second sealing surface relative to the first sealing surface in a direction from the hot water inlet port to the cold water inlet port causes an increase in water flow through the hot water inlet port, movement of the second sealing surface relative to the first sealing surface in a direction from the cold water inlet port to the hot water inlet port causes an increase in water flow through the cold water inlet port, and movement of the second sealing surface relative to the first sealing surface in a direction from the mixed water outlet port to the hot and cold water inlet ports moves the central portion to close the hot and cold water inlet ports.