US Patent 7726338 Valve with ceramic discs

A valve comprises a housing and at least three ceramic discs in the housing such that at least two fixed ceramic discs are provided and at least one rotatable ceramic disc is provided between the fixed ceramic discs. The ceramic discs comprise through holes such that when the holes are aligned, the valve is open, and turning the rotatable ceramic disc turns the holes to be misaligned in successive ceramic discs, which prevents water flow through the valve. The valve further comprises a handle for rotating a rotatable ceramic disc and the handle comprises a stem extending through the housing, and a curved part, the curved part curving at least partly around the housing along the circumference of the housing.