Patents by Inventor Joseph E. Tix

Joseph E. Tix has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20260131340
    Abstract: A fast-set, plural component, spray applicator includes a stationary mix chamber to eliminate dynamic metal-to-metal high pressure fluid sealing. The stationary mix chamber mixes the plural components before dispensing the mixed components from the spray applicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2026
    Publication date: May 14, 2026
    Inventors: Christopher J. Pellin, Joseph E. Tix, Justin J. Weldon, John R. Ingebrand
  • Patent number: 12533690
    Abstract: A fast-set, plural component, spray applicator (12) includes a stationary mix chamber (48) to eliminate dynamic metal-to-metal high pressure fluid sealing. The stationary mix chamber (48) mixes the plural components before dispensing the mixed components from the spray applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2026
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Pellin, Joseph E. Tix, Justin J. Weldon, John R. Ingebrand
  • Publication number: 20250339865
    Abstract: A fluid cartridge for a plural component sprayer is configured to receive first and second component materials and purge air from the sprayer and provide the first and second component materials and purge air to a mix chamber for spraying. The fluid cartridge includes a cartridge body, material flowpaths extending from a second end to a cartridge bore, and a purge path extending from the second end to the cartridge bore. Fluid checks are disposed in the material flowpaths and purge path to prevent backflow out of the fluid cartridge. Side seals are disposed in the material paths and are pre-loaded to extend into the cartridge bore and engage a mix chamber within the cartridge bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2025
    Publication date: November 6, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel P. Ross, Joseph E. Tix, Samuel R. Stewart, Mark T. Weinberger, Christopher J. Pellin, Jeffrey N. Velgersdyk
  • Patent number: 12390820
    Abstract: A fluid cartridge for a plural component sprayer is configured to receive first and second component materials and purge air from the sprayer and provide the first and second component materials and purge air to a mix chamber for spraying. The fluid cartridge includes a cartridge body, material flowpaths extending from a second end to a cartridge bore, and a purge path extending from the second end to the cartridge bore. Fluid checks are disposed in the material flowpaths and purge path to prevent backflow out of the fluid cartridge. Side seals are disposed in the material paths and are pre-loaded to extend into the cartridge bore and engage a mix chamber within the cartridge bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2025
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Ross, Joseph E. Tix, Samuel R. Stewart, Mark T. Weinberger, Christopher J. Pellin, Jeffrey N. Velgersdyk
  • Publication number: 20250235831
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly includes a nozzle housing (86) defining an inner chamber (91) and a mixer (90) disposed within the inner chamber. The nozzle housing includes a nozzle housing and a nozzle orifice. The nozzle receive is configured to connect to a sprayer housing and to receive a first material, a second material, and air. The nozzle orifice is configured to spray a plural component material formed by a mixture of the first material and the second material. The mixer includes a shaft (92), an extension (94), an air channel, and inlet orifice formed in a first end of the shaft, and an outlet orifice formed between the air channel and a surface of the shaft. The extension defines a mixing channel extending between the shaft and the inner surface of the housing and the air channel is defined by an inner surface of the shaft and extends partially axially through the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: July 24, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel P. Ross, Joseph E. Tix, Andrew M. Spiess
  • Publication number: 20250178007
    Abstract: A plural component dispensing system includes a first heated hose, a second heated hose, a controller, and a dispensing device. The first heated hose and the second heated hose include electrical wires that supply heat to the first and second heated hoses to heat fluid components within the first and second heated hoses. The first and second heated hoses are electrically coupled to the controller and are fluidly coupled to the dispensing device. The controller is configured to control and alternate the electrical power supplied to the first heated hose and the second heated hose to heat the first heated hose independent of the second heated hose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2025
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Peterson, Stephen P. Schneider, Mark J. Brudevold, Matthew R. Smith, Joseph E. Tix
  • Publication number: 20250128278
    Abstract: A fast-set, plural component, spray applicator includes a stationary mix chamber to eliminate dynamic metal-to-metal high pressure fluid sealing. The stationary mix chamber mixes the plural components before dispensing the mixed components from the spray applicator. The spray applicator includes fluid needles configured to engage and disengage seals to perform the fluid valving. Needles control both fluid and air flow to the stationary mix chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Christopher J. Pellin, Joseph E. Tix, Justin J. Weldon
  • Publication number: 20250114813
    Abstract: A spray applicator is operable in a spray state, during which the applicator emits a plural component material formed within a mix chamber of the spray application, and a purge state, during which the spray applicator emits compressed air from the mix chamber. First and second portions of the purge air are provided to the mix chamber through separate flowpaths and combine within the mix chamber. Only one of the portions of purge air is routed through a dosing chamber to entrain solvent and carry the solvent to the mix chamber. The solvent assists in clearing residue from the mix chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: John R. Ingebrand, Christopher J. Pellin, Justin J. Weldon, Joseph E. Tix
  • Patent number: 12257594
    Abstract: A mix chamber for a plural component sprayer is configured to receive first and second component materials and emit a spray of a resulting plural component material. The mix chamber includes a chamber body extending between a first end and a second end and including flat lateral sides. A ramp feature is disposed proximate the first end and is configured to contact and push first and second side seals, respectively, away from a body axis as the mix chamber shifts in a first direction through a cartridge bore to increase a gap between the first side seal and the second side seal such that the first side seal engages the first flat lateral side and the second side seal engages the second flat lateral side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Ross, Joseph E. Tix, Samuel R. Stewart, Mark T. Weinberger, Christopher J. Pellin, Jeffrey N. Velgersdyk, Jack A. Bosak, Jacob R. Whiteoak
  • Patent number: 12251724
    Abstract: A plural component dispensing system includes a first heated hose, a second heated hose, a controller, and a dispensing device. The first heated hose and the second heated hose include electrical wires that supply heat to the first and second heated hoses to heat fluid components within the first and second heated hoses. The first and second heated hoses are electrically coupled to the controller and are fluidly coupled to the dispensing device. The controller is configured to control and alternate the electrical power supplied to the first heated hose and the second heated hose to heat the first heated hose independent of the second heated hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Peterson, Stephen P. Schneider, Mark J. Brudevold, Matthew R. Smith, Joseph E. Tix
  • Patent number: 12228125
    Abstract: A pump system includes a housing, a lubricant system, and control circuitry. The housing includes a pump chamber defined by the housing and a throat seal. The lubricant system includes a lubricant pump, a lubricant gallery defined within the housing of the main pump, and a lubricant circuit fluidly connecting the lubricant pump and the lubricant gallery. The throat seal is disposed adjacent to and between the pump chamber and the lubricant gallery. The control circuitry is configured to cause the lubricant pump to pump a purge volume of lubricant through the lubricant system, cause the lubricant pump to stop pumping for a first time period after the lubricant pump has pumped the purge volume, and cause the lubricant pump to pump the purge volume of lubricant through the lubricant system after the first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Smith, Nicholas P. Peterson, Joseph E. Tix, Andrew M. Spiess
  • Patent number: 12208410
    Abstract: A fast-set, plural component, spray applicator (10) includes a stationary mix chamber (48) to eliminate dynamic metal-to-metal high pressure fluid sealing. The stationary mix chamber (48) mixes the plural components before dispensing the mixed components from the spray applicator (10). The spray applicator includes fluid needles (76, 78) configured to engage and disengage seals to perform the fluid valving. Needles (76, 78) control both fluid and air flow to the stationary mix chamber (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Pellin, Joseph E. Tix, Justin J. Weldon
  • Patent number: 12155155
    Abstract: An electrical connector system for use with independently heated hoses includes a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, a third electrical connector, and a fourth electrical connector. The first electrical connector includes a first key that mates with a second key of the second electrical connector. The third electrical connector includes a third key that mates with a fourth key of the fourth electrical connector. The first and second keys differ from the third and fourth keys, ensuring the electrical connectors are correctly connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Tix, Erich W. Beckmann, Stephen P. Schneider, Nicholas P. Peterson, Mark J. Brudevold
  • Publication number: 20240269700
    Abstract: A spray gun includes a valve cartridge configured to be axially installed and removed as a single piece. The valve cartridge includes at least one engagement member to prevent rotation of valve cartridge within the gun body of the spray gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Augustine T. Sierra, II, Ryan F. Butler, Joseph E. Tix
  • Publication number: 20240238740
    Abstract: A mixer (46) for a plural component sprayer is configured to receive first and second component materials and emit a spray of a resulting plural component material. The mixer includes a contoured seal head (120) that is configured to interface with a contoured chamber within a receiver to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween. The mixer receives individual component materials through inlet bores (50a, 50b) formed through the mixer. The component materials mix within a mix bore (52) of the mixer to form a plural component material that is emitted as a spray from an orifice (54) formed in the mixer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph E. Tix, Christopher J. Pellin, John R. Ingebrand, Jeremy R. Plough, Kyle A. Bottke
  • Patent number: D1069044
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Tix, Kyle A. Bottke
  • Patent number: D1085333
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy R. Plough, Joseph E. Tix
  • Patent number: D1092683
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph E. Tix
  • Patent number: D1093550
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2025
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph E. Tix
  • Patent number: D1130484
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2026
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Tix, Kyle A. Bottke, Jeremy R. Plough, Erich W. Beckmann, Christopher J. Pellin, John R. Ingebrand