GB2249858A - Artificial snow fall device - Google Patents
Artificial snow fall device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2249858A GB2249858A GB9123355A GB9123355A GB2249858A GB 2249858 A GB2249858 A GB 2249858A GB 9123355 A GB9123355 A GB 9123355A GB 9123355 A GB9123355 A GB 9123355A GB 2249858 A GB2249858 A GB 2249858A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- artificial snow
- fall
- venturi
- artificial
- particles
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 64
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 21
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 125000004122 cyclic group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004793 Polystyrene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000030279 gene silencing Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002223 polystyrene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000003252 repetitive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004676 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Substances 0.000 claims 2
- XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Chemical compound C=CC=C.C=CC#N.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 229920000122 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 241000191291 Abies alba Species 0.000 abstract description 15
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 8
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 235000004507 Abies alba Nutrition 0.000 description 14
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 7
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000002745 absorbent Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000002390 adhesive tape Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005034 decoration Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 3
- GWEVSGVZZGPLCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titan oxide Chemical compound O=[Ti]=O GWEVSGVZZGPLCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000010445 mica Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052618 mica group Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 241000093804 Berzelia galpinii Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920005601 base polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010410 dusting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004794 expanded polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G33/00—Religious or ritual equipment in dwelling or for general use
- A47G33/04—Christmas trees
- A47G33/08—Christmas tree decorations
- A47G33/0845—Artificial snow, ice or icicles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63J—DEVICES FOR THEATRES, CIRCUSES, OR THE LIKE; CONJURING APPLIANCES OR THE LIKE
- A63J5/00—Auxiliaries for producing special effects on stages, or in circuses or arenas
- A63J5/02—Arrangements for making stage effects; Auxiliary stage appliances
- A63J5/028—Devices for making snow effects
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C3/00—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Producing artificial snow
- F25C3/04—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Producing artificial snow for sledging or ski trails; Producing artificial snow
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F19/00—Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for
- G09F19/12—Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for using special optical effects
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C2303/00—Special arrangements or features for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Special arrangements or features for producing artificial snow
- F25C2303/044—Snow making using additional features, e.g. additives, liquid gas
Abstract
An artificial snow fall device includes a fan 5 blowing air through a venturi 10 to draw artificial snow particles from a vessel 13 through a venturi input tube 12 and up a venturi output tube 11 for discharge at outlet 26. The particles then fall back into the vessel 13, via the foliage of the christmas tree. The device may be provided with a water reservoir 27 and wick 29 to increase the humidity of the air stream passing to the venturi - this has the effect of reducing the static charges imparted to the artificial snow particles. The outlet 26 includes an adjustable cone for altering the linear air speed at the venturi output to ensure that the snow particles fall within the confines of the collection vessel 13. <IMAGE>
Description
ARTIFICIAL SNOWFALL DEVICE
This invention relates to an improved artificial snowfall device.
Artificial and natural Christmas trees, adorned with ornamental static or flashing lights, coloured baubles, crackers, tinsel and many other Christmas decorative products, are well known. A significant proportion of these Christmas decorations, and particularly many examples of artificial trees, attempt to simulate in one respect or another the fall of Mother Natures snow, so often associated with Christmas-time festivities. The provision and introduction of a dynamic artificial snowfall, contained within the immediate surroundings of a
Christmas trees perimeter, adds a further dimension to the decoration of both natural or artificial Christmas trees.
According to the present invention there is provided an improved device for creating an artificial snow fall comprising a fan having an input and output means the output means from said fan supplying air to a device which develops a point of low pressure based on Bernoulli's theorem hereafter referred to as the venturi as a result of said airflow from said fan passing through a construction hence increasing the kinetic energy at said point of constriction and hence to maintain energy balance a corresponding reduction in pressure results and at said point of low pressure there being an orifice and input means said input means leading to an inlet orifice which is situated at a low point in an artificial snow collection vessel containing artificial snow particles resulting in the article snow particles resulting in the artificial snow particles being sucked into said inlet of said venturi and entrained in the airflow of said input means which carries the entrained artificial snow particles through the venturi and in turn into the venturi output means and by similar entrainment carried said artificial snow to an outlet point of said venturi output means whereupon the artificial snow particles are discharged and then fall under gravitational forces into said artificial snow collection vessel and artificial snow particles then being sucked again into said venturi inlet means the whole described herein causing a cyclic and repetitive continuous fall of artificial snow.
A further object of this invention is to provide artificial snow which has glistening qualities similar to that attributed to natural snow and for this glistening property to be enhanced by the random incidence of light, for example light from well known ornamental Christmas tree lights, falling on the artificial snow particles and being scattered in an attractive manner.
An additional object of this invention is to provide a means of increasing the humidity of the air-stream at a point between said fan output and said venturi said increased humidification of the air-stream serving to reduce static charges imparted to the artificial snow and whole described herein.
The fan may be of any type to deliver a sufficient flow of air to feed the venturi and develop sufficient suction at the venturi to such the artificial snow particles into the venturi input tube from their collection point at the base of the artificial snow collection vessel. The fan may be constructed from any suitable materials the casing being preferably of a plastic construction the air inlet point to said fan being at a point remote from the area of the artificial snow fall or collection or if the air inlet point to said fan is not remote from the collection or fall of artificial snow is appropriately shrouded to prevent artificial snow particles blinding said air inlet point. The fan may be preferably selected and constructed to minimise noise level as a result of operation of said fan.In addition a key aspect of the said fan and said venturi system of artificial snow particle input and output is the facility to site the fan at a point quite remote from the venturi for example several metres affording further silencing means in the area of operation of the artificial snow fall device.
The fan input to said fan and the fan output tube from said fan may be of any cross sectional shape but preferably round provided free unobstructed passage of the artificial snow particles is maintained and may be constructed from the suitable material preferably plastic.
The cross sectional area of said fan input and said fan output tube should be chosen to ensure sufficient suction is developed by the venturi to suck the artificial snow particles from their collection point in the conical artificial snow collection vessel. The linear air speed flow in said fan output tube which is a function of the cubic volume of air delivered by said fan and the cross sectional area of the said input and said fan output tubes is therefore of prime consideration. The fan output tube may be rigid or comprise a flexible hose to facilitate remote siting or may be of a telescopic construction.
At a point between the said fan output and the venturi there is sited a humidification device comprising a water holding vessel and a highly absorbent material which acts as a wick for the said water. The said water holding vessel may be of any material which is insoluble to water and may be of any capacity and shape. The said highly absorbent wicking material may be of any highly water absorbent material and of any shape and size.
The venturi may be of any appropriate type based on
Bernoulli's theorem and may be constructed from any appropriate material provided that adequate suction is developed to suck the artificial snow particles into the inlet of the venturi input tube and free and unobstructed passage of the artificial snow is maintained. The use of the said venturi to develop suction and transmission of said artificial snow particles ensures a relatively silent means of artificial snow particle transportation as the artificial snow particles do not come into contact with any moving mechanical parts.
The venturi input and venturi output tubes may be of any cross sectional area but preferably round provided free unobstructed passage of the artificial snow particles is maintained and may be constructed from any suitable material preferably plastic. The cross sectional area of the output tube should be chosen to ensure the linear airflow is sufficient to carry the artificial snow particles within the air-stream and deliver said artificial snow particles to the artificial snow deflection and dispersal system at the apex of the
Christmas tree. The said venturi output tube may be preferably adjustable with respect to height.This is preferably achieved by the use of one or more tubes which may be adjusted in a well known telescopic manner and fixed at the required height by suitably fastening at the joints by the use of natural friction or a well known fastening system for example adhesive tape.
The artificial snow discharge and dispersal system may simply be the end of the venturi output tube whereupon the said artificial snow particles "dance and disperse" on the current of air from said venturi output tube. This type of artificial snow discharge and dispersal provides a "natural" movement and fall of said artificial snow particles.The outlet point cross sectional shape of the said venturi output may be of any appropriate shape preferably round and may be less than equal to or greater than the cross sectional area of the said venturi output tube which may be intrinsic in the formation of said venturi output tube or achieved by the addition of a reducing or enlarging adaptor outlet piece fastened in any well known way or achieved by a variable adjustment method for example a cone mounted to said outlet point the apex angle of said cone and hence the cross sectional area of the remaining end being adjustable by reducing or increasing the overlap of said walls. The purpose of the said adaptors or said cone is to change the linear airflow at said outlet of said venturi output by modifying the cross sectional area of said outlet and hence controlling the degree of dispersal of said artificial snow particles to ensure said artificial snow particles fall within the confines of the artificial snow collection vessel.
The artificial snow collection vessel serves to capture the artificial snow particles and to act as the feed source of artificial snow particles to said venturi input tube and may comprise a convoluted artificial snow collection vessel and a supporting system for said convoluted artificial snow collection vessel. The said convoluted artificial snow collection vessel may be constructed of any suitable materials namely plastic or card but preferably transparent plastic. The profile of said convoluted artificial snow collection vessel can be of any curved geometric shape but is preferably essentially conical in profile the apex angle at the apex of the cone being not less than the angle of repose of the artificial snow particles and preferably between 5 degrees and 15 degrees higher than angle of repose of said artificial snow particles as measured from the horizontal.
Any number of convolutions can be introduced in the wall of said convoluted artificial snow collection vessel preferably between 4 and 16 and preferably 8 said convolutions serving to increase the rigidity of the outer cone wall and assisting in the movement of the said artificial snow to the base of the cone and in addition the said artificial snow forming an attractive "star" pattern at the point of collection. The said artificial snow collection vessel has one or more radial slits in the consulted conical wall said slits being inserted around the trunk of the Christmas tree and around the fan output tube and said slits then sealed by any well known fastening means for example transparent adhesive tape or
Velcro. The support system for said artificial snow collection vessel comprises a central collar which fastens to the trunk of the Christmas tree or to the fan output tube.Said collar accepts by means of an appropriate number of staggered holes in the circumference of said collar inner and outer wall said inclination preferably being an angle between 5 and 15 degrees higher than the angle of repose of said artificial snow particles an appropriate number of radially attached spokes said spokes being deforced at a point near to the said collar to increase at a point the diameter of the said spokes to a size greater than the diameter of the holes in the said collar through which the said spokes extending out toward the perimeter of said artificial snow collection vessel are inserted. Any other well known means of attaching said spokes to said trunk or said fan output tube may be employed.The number of said spokes is dependent on the number of said convolutions as each spoke is positioned at a ridge point of a convolution the said spokes serving to support the said artificial snow collection vessel. The said collar and spokes may be constructed from any appropriate materials for example plastic wood or metal.
The artificial snow may be produced from any material which imitates the appearance and/or the properties of natural snow. The bulk density of the said artificial snow is of key importance and must be sufficiently low to allow said artificial snow to be consistently drawn into the said venturi input tube. Preferred artificial snow materials may be blown or expanded polymers for example polystyrene but any other appropriate relatively low bulk density material may be used. The particle size distribution of the artificial snow may be selected to create a decorative imitation snow fall. The particle size distribution may be of a narrow or broad range or of a single defined size conducive to easy and unobstructed passage through the working parts of the artificial snow distribution systems a preferred particle size range being 0.4mm to 6mm.The shape of the artificial snow particles may be of any geometry which allows easy fall to the lowest point of the artificial snow collection vessel and are preferably approximately round and have a known angle of repose. The artificial snow may be of any colour or mixed colours and therefore does not necessarily have to be essentially "white". The glistening properties of said artificial snow may be enhanced by the dusting, fastening by adhesion or inclusion in the base polymer or other selected materials a material or materials with high glistening, sparkling or glittering properties for example mica coated with inorganic or organic chemicals for example oxide products.The particle size distribution of said sparkling products may be selected to be smaller than the particle size distribution of the artificial snow base material and is dependent on the method chosen to enhance the glistening, sparkling or glittering properties of said artificial snow. The shape of said sparkling products may be of any geometry which yields the desired glistening, sparkling or glittering property. One or more artificial snow materials and one or more glistening, sparkling or glittering products may be used in any combination and permutation to achieve the desired singular or composite artificial snow product. The said artificial snow product enhances the imitation snow fall effect as a result of light reflection and light scatter from any light sources in the proximity of the Christmas tree.In addition said artificial snow may be of any reduced static charge composition.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows in two dimensions, the preferred artificial snow fall device installed on an artificial or natural
Christmas tree;
Figure 2 shows plan view of a preferred artificial snow collection vessel.
Figure 3 shows a segment of a preferred artificial snow collection vessel as viewed from the side/above.
Figure 4 shows the collar and spoke supporting system for the convoluted artificial snow collection vessel.
Figure 5 illustrates a preferred method by which the artificial snow appearance is greatly enhanced to yield a glistening property.
Referring to Figure 1, the trunk (1) supports the branches and foliage (2) which comprise the Christmas tree. The said trunk (1) is mounted onto a well known tree stand (3) having legs attached by a collar (4). The fan (5) serviced by the electrical cable (6) is remotely mounted and free-standing on the floor. The fan input (8) is at a remote point below the Christmas tree. The fan output tube (9) extends upwards to the venturi (10) and connects to the venturi telescopic output tube (11) which extends upwards to a point approximately at the top of the tree and is fastened to said trunk by means of said fasteners (7). Between the fan output tube (9) and the venturi (10) a water reservoir (27) is fastened to the fan output tube (9). From this water reservoir (27) extends a wick (29) which is fastened on the inner-wall of fan output tube (9).The venturi output tube has an outlet (26) which comprises an adjustable cone or adaptor piece to adjust the linear air speed at said venturi output outlet to ensure the artificial snow particles fall within the confines of the artificial snow collection vessel (13). The venturi input tube (12) extends downwards to a point slightly above the sealing disc (21) which forms a seal with the collar (15) and convoluted artificial snow collection vessel (13). The said convoluted artificial snow collection vessel (13) is supported by spokes (14) which fasten into collar (15) said spokes (14) assuming an inclined position relative to horizontal. Artificial snow (16) is placed at the conical apex of said convoluted artificial snow collection vessel.
Said fan (5) is then switched on which results in a low pressure at the outlet of said venturi input tube (12) causing said artificial snow (1) to be drawn into the said venturi (12) the said artificial snow (16) then being carried upwards in the air-stream of said venturi output tube (11). Said artificial snow (16) exits the outlet point of said venturi output tube and is dispersed and scattered above the Christmas tree by adjustment of dispersal cone (26). Said artificial snow (16) then gently falls under the influence of gravity onto the branches foliage and decorations of the Christmas tree simulating natural snow fall.The excess said artificial snow (16) falls and collects in said convoluted artificial snow collection vessel (13) and falls as a result of the fluting and apex angle to the lowest point of said convoluted artificial snow collection skirt (13) as a result of gravitational forces and the angle of repose of said artificial snow particles (16). Once said fan (5) is switched on a constant artificial snow fall is maintained by cyclic repetition of the aforementioned process described herein.
Referring to Figure 2, convoluted artificial snow collection vessel (13) is shown as viewed from the top and essentially comprises a transparent sheet of plastic which is folded into a semi-permanent or permanent convoluted structure being essentially circular at the perimeter and having a hole (17) at the centre which fits around the supporting collar and a hole 31 through which the fan output tube is inserted. A seal is formed between hole (17) and the supporting collar by sealing disc (21) also forming a seal with trunk (1). Ac obvolution (18) comprises a peak point (19) and a trough point (20). The radial slits in the convoluted artificial snow collection vessel are fastened together by the use of self adhesive tape at points (30).
Referring to Figure 3, convoluted artificial snow collection vessel (13) is shown as viewed from the side and shows the convoluted structure with said peaks (19) and said toughs (20) converging to said hole (17).
Referring to Figure 4, the collar (15) and examples of two of the spokes (14) which support the convoluted artificial snow collection vessel (13). The collar (15) which is fastened to the trunk (1) of the Christmas tree through the central large hole (21) has a number, a preferred number being eight, of holes (22) recessed into the outer and inner walls of the collar said holes being equidistant from each other and said holes being recessed and staggered at an angle between 5 degrees and 15 degrees higher than the angle of repose from horizontal of said artificial snow particles and said number of holes being equivalent to the number of peaks in said convoluted artificial snow collection vessel (13). The said spokes come to rest at spoke deformation (28). Sealing tape (32) is used to form a seal.
Referring to Figure 5, a standard expanded polystyrene artificial snow particle (23) is shown the typical diameter of said artificial snow particle (23) being in the range 0.4mm to 6mm. The artificial snow particle (24) illustrates the presence of a glitter agent (25) for example titania coated with mica being attached to the surface by any well known adhesive or contained within the polymer matrix at time of extrusion. The artificial snow particle (24) has a greatly enhanced "natural" snow-like appearance than the artificial snow particle (23) as a result of incident light being reflected and scattered in a manner which produces a natural snow-like appearance.
Claims (17)
1. An improved device for creating an artificial snow fall comprising a fan having an input and output means the output means from said fan supplying air to a device which develops a point of low pressure based on Bernoulli's theorem hereafter referred to as the venturi as a result of said airflow from said fan passing through a constriction hence increasing the kinetic energy at said point of constriction and hence to maintain energy balance a corresponding reduction in pressure results and at said point of low pressure there being an orifice and input means said input means leading to an inlet orifice which is situated at low point in a artificial snow collection vessel containing artificial snow particles resulting in the artificial snow particles being sucked into said inlet of said venturi and entrained in the airflow of said input means which carries the entrained artificial snow particles through the venturi and in turn into the venturi output means and by similar entrainment carries said artificial snow to an outlet point of said venturi output means whereupon the artificial snow particles are discharged and dispersed and then fall under gravitational forces into said artificial snow collection vessel said artificial snow particles then being sucked again into said venturi inlet means the whole described herein causing a cyclic and repetitive continuous fall of artificial snow.
2. A device for creating artificial snow fall according to Claim 1 wherein the artificial snow collection vessel has inclined and convoluted walls the angle of inclination being between 5 degrees and 15 degrees higher than the angle of repose of said artificial snow particles as measured from the horizontal.
3. A device for creating artificial snow fall as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein the material used to construct the artificial snow collection vessel is transparent.
4. A device for creating artificial snow as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the artificial snow collection vessel is supported from a collar said collar being fastened to a rigid place and said collar enabling a number of spokes to be attached which are inclined at an angle between 5 degrees and 15 degrees higher than the angle of repose of said artificial snow particles and extend radially and act as a support means for said artificial snow collection vessel.
5. A device for creating artificial snow fall as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means of generating suction and hence artificial snow intake followed by delivery and dispersal is achieved by the combination of a fan and venturi-like component.
6. A device for creating artificial snow fall as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the cross sectional area at the discharge outlet point of said artificial snow particles can be varied by means of adaptor pieces or by an adjustable cone to control the degree of dispersal and spread of said artificial snow particles resulting in a change of linear airflow at said discharge outlet point and hence influencing the dispersal and spread of said artificial snow particles to be guided as they fall under the influence of gravity to be within the confines of the said artificial snow collection vessel.
7. A device for creating artificial snow fall as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the artificial snow is partially or totally coated with a glittering or glistening material which affords a more "natural" artificial snow-like appearance to the said artificial snow particles.
8. A device for creating artificial snow fall as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the material used to form said artificial snow particles contains at the time of said artificial snow particle formation time formation a glittering or glistening substance which results said artificial snow particles having a more "natural" snow-like appearance as produced.
9. A device for creating artificial snow fall as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the said artificial snow can be discharged and dispersed at any distance or height in the range 0.25 metre to 50 metre dependent on the capability and performance of said fan.
10. A device for creating artificial snow fall as described in any of the preceding claims wherein the artificial snow particles have a particle size in the range 0.4mm to 6mm having a curved surface and a known angle of repose are of any colour.
11. A device for creating artificial snow fall as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the fan can be serviced from a higher voltage electrical supply which is transformed and converted to an appropriate voltage (A.C.
or D.C.) of the said fan.
12. A device for creating artificial snow fall as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the fan is of a design conducive to relatively silent running and said fan can be sited remote from said venturi which achieves further silencing in area of operation of said artificial snow fall device.
13. A device for creating artificial snow fall as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the fan and venturi system of artificial snow particles transmission and transportation means the artificial snow particles do not come into contact with any moving mechanical parts and hence relatively silent operation of the artificial snow fall device results.
14. A device for creating artificial snowfall as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the air flowing within any or all parts of the ducting may be additionally humidified in order to inhibit the direct or indirect build up of static charges on the artificial snow and component parts of the device.
15. A device for creating an artificial snowfall as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the artificial snow is produced or treated so as to exhibit antistatic properties.
16. A device for creating an artificial snowfall as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the ducting is made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) said
ABS as a result of its molecular composition reducing the tendency of the polystyrene artificial snow being electrostatically attracted to ducting and other component parts of the whole device.
17. A device for creating artificial snow fall substantially described herein as claimed in any preceding claim with reference to the accompanying drawings 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB909023999A GB9023999D0 (en) | 1990-11-05 | 1990-11-05 | Artificial snowfall device |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9123355D0 GB9123355D0 (en) | 1991-12-18 |
| GB2249858A true GB2249858A (en) | 1992-05-20 |
| GB2249858B GB2249858B (en) | 1995-01-04 |
Family
ID=10684875
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB909023999A Pending GB9023999D0 (en) | 1990-11-05 | 1990-11-05 | Artificial snowfall device |
| GB9123355A Expired - Fee Related GB2249858B (en) | 1990-11-05 | 1991-11-04 | Artificial snowfall device |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB909023999A Pending GB9023999D0 (en) | 1990-11-05 | 1990-11-05 | Artificial snowfall device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB9023999D0 (en) |
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2273195A (en) * | 1992-12-05 | 1994-06-08 | Manthorpe Engineering Ltd | Producing artificial snowfall |
| EP0671716A2 (en) * | 1994-03-10 | 1995-09-13 | Thomas A. Schutz Company | Animated display |
| EP0671717A2 (en) * | 1994-03-10 | 1995-09-13 | Thomas A. Schutz Company | Animated display |
| US5794364A (en) * | 1996-10-15 | 1998-08-18 | Richmond; Randel William | Projectile launching and recirculating display apparatus and method of displaying same |
| US5979091A (en) * | 1998-04-10 | 1999-11-09 | Tenbrink; Carl Evan | Snowfall simulator |
| WO2002009082A1 (en) * | 2000-07-26 | 2002-01-31 | Fusionline Company Limited | Ornamental display utilizing particles circulating in the display |
| US8342900B2 (en) | 2010-07-02 | 2013-01-01 | Mattel, Inc. | Apparatus for circulating glitter particles |
| WO2013174374A1 (en) * | 2012-05-22 | 2013-11-28 | Julian Eichler | Precipitation simulator |
| DE102008029740B4 (en) * | 2008-06-24 | 2017-03-16 | Julian Eichler | Rainfall simulator |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN106361122B (en) * | 2016-12-05 | 2019-02-01 | 丁煜珍 | Christmas tree and Christmas base |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB996697A (en) * | 1964-06-05 | 1965-06-30 | Tony Gonzalez | Improvements in or relating to ornamentation of christmas trees or the like |
| GB1212456A (en) * | 1968-06-17 | 1970-11-18 | Advance Ind Company Ltd | Improvements in or relating to fountain toys |
| US3905140A (en) * | 1974-04-03 | 1975-09-16 | Frank Damiano | Animated display tree-frame |
| US4028830A (en) * | 1973-04-05 | 1977-06-14 | Ottinger Dwight M | Snowing fixture |
| US4076234A (en) * | 1976-06-28 | 1978-02-28 | Bradford Novelty Co., Inc. | Artificial snow circulating apparatus |
-
1990
- 1990-11-05 GB GB909023999A patent/GB9023999D0/en active Pending
-
1991
- 1991-11-04 GB GB9123355A patent/GB2249858B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB996697A (en) * | 1964-06-05 | 1965-06-30 | Tony Gonzalez | Improvements in or relating to ornamentation of christmas trees or the like |
| GB1212456A (en) * | 1968-06-17 | 1970-11-18 | Advance Ind Company Ltd | Improvements in or relating to fountain toys |
| US4028830A (en) * | 1973-04-05 | 1977-06-14 | Ottinger Dwight M | Snowing fixture |
| US3905140A (en) * | 1974-04-03 | 1975-09-16 | Frank Damiano | Animated display tree-frame |
| US4076234A (en) * | 1976-06-28 | 1978-02-28 | Bradford Novelty Co., Inc. | Artificial snow circulating apparatus |
Cited By (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2273195B (en) * | 1992-12-05 | 1995-11-29 | Manthorpe Engineering Ltd | Assembly for producing artificial snowfall |
| US5412888A (en) * | 1992-12-05 | 1995-05-09 | Manthorpe Engineering Limited | Assembly for producing artificial snowfall |
| GB2273195A (en) * | 1992-12-05 | 1994-06-08 | Manthorpe Engineering Ltd | Producing artificial snowfall |
| EP0671716A3 (en) * | 1994-03-10 | 1996-06-12 | Thomas A Schutz Company | Animated display. |
| EP0671717A2 (en) * | 1994-03-10 | 1995-09-13 | Thomas A. Schutz Company | Animated display |
| US5491916A (en) * | 1994-03-10 | 1996-02-20 | Thomas A. Schutz Co., Inc. | Animated display |
| EP0671716A2 (en) * | 1994-03-10 | 1995-09-13 | Thomas A. Schutz Company | Animated display |
| EP0671717A3 (en) * | 1994-03-10 | 1996-06-12 | Thomas A Schutz Company | Animated display. |
| US5794364A (en) * | 1996-10-15 | 1998-08-18 | Richmond; Randel William | Projectile launching and recirculating display apparatus and method of displaying same |
| US5979091A (en) * | 1998-04-10 | 1999-11-09 | Tenbrink; Carl Evan | Snowfall simulator |
| US6205689B1 (en) | 1998-04-10 | 2001-03-27 | Tenbrink Carl Evan | Snowfall simulator |
| WO2002009082A1 (en) * | 2000-07-26 | 2002-01-31 | Fusionline Company Limited | Ornamental display utilizing particles circulating in the display |
| DE102008029740B4 (en) * | 2008-06-24 | 2017-03-16 | Julian Eichler | Rainfall simulator |
| US8342900B2 (en) | 2010-07-02 | 2013-01-01 | Mattel, Inc. | Apparatus for circulating glitter particles |
| WO2013174374A1 (en) * | 2012-05-22 | 2013-11-28 | Julian Eichler | Precipitation simulator |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9123355D0 (en) | 1991-12-18 |
| GB9023999D0 (en) | 1990-12-19 |
| GB2249858B (en) | 1995-01-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 732 | Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977) | ||
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19971104 |