Patents by Inventor Andrew A. Merckel

Andrew A. Merckel 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).

  • Patent number: 11173644
    Abstract: A casting apparatus for manufacturing polymer film includes a die for discharging a molten polymer and having discharge direction oriented at a discharge angle offset from horizontal. The apparatus includes a first chill roll having a first diameter and a second chill roll having a second greater diameter. There is a first gap between the first chill roll and the second chill roll. The discharge angle is of a predetermined magnitude to gravity assist delivery of the molten polymer to the first gap. The second chill roll is positioned to gravity support the film exiting the first gap along a first length of a first side of the film. A first polishing roll is positioned downstream first and second chill rolls. The first polishing roll engages and cools a second length of a second opposite side of the film. The first length is substantially equal to the second length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Davis-Standard, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Christiano, Edward J. Smith, Andrew A. Merckel
  • Patent number: 11167465
    Abstract: A film casting apparatus includes a die which has a non-zero angled discharge direction relative to a horizontal plane. A chill roll is positioned downstream of the die. A film displacement device is positioned proximate to the chill roll and is configured to position the molten polymer on the chill roll and establish the thickness of the film. The non-zero discharge angle is of a predetermined magnitude to gravity assist delivery of the molten polymer to the chill roll. The chill roll is positioned to gravity support the polymer film along a first length of a first side of the polymer film. A first polishing roll is positioned downstream of the chill roll and engages and cools a second length of a second side of the polymer film which is opposite the first side. The first length is substantially equal to the second length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Davis-Standard, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Christiano, Edward J. Smith, Andrew A. Merckel
  • Publication number: 20200353664
    Abstract: A film casting apparatus includes a die which has a non-zero angled discharge direction relative to a horizontal plane. A chill roll is positioned downstream of the die. A film displacement device is positioned proximate to the chill roll and is configured to position the molten polymer on the chill roll and establish the thickness of the film. The non-zero discharge angle is of a predetermined magnitude to gravity assist delivery of the molten polymer to the chill roll. The chill roll is positioned to gravity support the polymer film along a first length of a first side of the polymer film. A first polishing roll is positioned downstream of the chill roll and engages and cools a second length of a second side of the polymer film which is opposite the first side. The first length is substantially equal to the second length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: Davis-Standard LLC
    Inventors: John P. Christiano, Edward J. Smith, Andrew A. Merckel
  • Publication number: 20190091917
    Abstract: A casting apparatus for manufacturing polymer film includes a die for discharging a molten polymer and having discharge direction oriented at a discharge angle offset from horizontal. The apparatus includes a first chill roll having a first diameter and a second chill roll having a second greater diameter. There is a first gap between the first chill roll and the second chill roll. The discharge angle is of a predetermined magnitude to gravity assist delivery of the molten polymer to the first gap. The second chill roll is positioned to gravity support the film exiting the first gap along a first length of a first side of the film. A first polishing roll is positioned downstream first and second chill rolls. The first polishing roll engages and cools a second length of a second opposite side of the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Davis-Standard LLC
    Inventors: John P. Christiano, Edward J. Smith, Andrew A. Merckel