US20050035210A1 - Dispensing unit for ice or snow-like particles - Google Patents
Dispensing unit for ice or snow-like particles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050035210A1 US20050035210A1 US10/909,491 US90949104A US2005035210A1 US 20050035210 A1 US20050035210 A1 US 20050035210A1 US 90949104 A US90949104 A US 90949104A US 2005035210 A1 US2005035210 A1 US 2005035210A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- snow
- ice
- particles
- vessel
- mixing vessel
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
- B01F27/80—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis
- B01F27/90—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders with stirrers rotating about a substantially vertical axis with paddles or arms
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
- B01F35/75—Discharge mechanisms
- B01F35/751—Discharging by opening a gate, e.g. using discharge paddles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
- B01F35/75—Discharge mechanisms
- B01F35/754—Discharge mechanisms characterised by the means for discharging the components from the mixer
- B01F35/7548—Discharge mechanisms characterised by the means for discharging the components from the mixer using tilting or pivoting means for emptying the mixing receptacle
-
- 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
-
- 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
- F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
-
- 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
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
- F25D3/12—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using solidified gases, e.g. carbon-dioxide snow
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F13/00—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F27/00—Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles; Kneaders
- B01F27/05—Stirrers
- B01F27/11—Stirrers characterised by the configuration of the stirrers
- B01F27/19—Stirrers with two or more mixing elements mounted in sequence on the same axis
- B01F27/191—Stirrers with two or more mixing elements mounted in sequence on the same axis with similar elements
-
- 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
-
- 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
- F25C2600/00—Control issues
- F25C2600/04—Control means
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Carbon And Carbon Compounds (AREA)
Abstract
A dispensing unit 601 dispenses ice, snow or snow-like particles to a customer on demand, generally without storage of ice within the unit. The unit 601 includes an actuation device 640 which is operable by the customer. Further, the unit includes apparatus 639 for making the ice or snow-like particles. The apparatus 639 is responsive to actuation of the actuation device 640 to produce the ice or snow-like particles on demand. The ice or snow-like particles are produced from ingredients including liquid water and preferably cryogenic material. The unit is operable to deliver the ice or snow-like particles to a containment vessel 612B, 632, which is accessible by the customer.
Description
- The invention relates to a dispensing unit for dispensing ice, snow or snow like particles to a customer on demand. In particular, the invention relates to a machine for making instant packing ice or powdered snow for use as an ice or crushed ice substitute. Typically such products are used for cooling foods and beverages in ice boxes, coolers and the like. The present specification forms part of a continuation-in-part application based on our earlier application Ser. No. 10/475,228.
- Over the years, a number of methods of making snow have been proposed, and two examples will now be discussed.
- The “Polar Process” is a cryogenic form of snow making, where liquid nitrogen (N2) is mixed with water atomised by an air compressor in a snow pipe to make snow. This has proven a popular form of snow production for events and promotions. While the capital cost is not great, the operational costs for making the snow are very high, as up to 500 kg of liquid nitrogen is required to be mixed with water to form one cubic metre of snow.
- Another known method is the “Crushed Ice Process”. This process of snow production is expensive and very labour intensive and the snow product is more in the form of shaved ice, and not a true snow crystal. The process relies on the production of, say, 150 kg, blocks of ice which are transported to a site, where they are put through an ice grinding machine to be shaved into shaved ice particles for use as snow. The process is expensive as the blocks are expensive to buy, and require specialised transport and labour to transport and handle the blocks. The machinery to make the ice blocks is large and cumbersome, and there are very few ice-making works capable of producing the blocks. The use of this form of snow production for events has been limited.
- The supply of ice cubes in plastic bags is a multi billion industry throughout the world. The ice can be supplied in 2 ways. The first way is through an ice making factory where the ice is first produced by ice making machines. The ice produced is transported by conveyor to be bagged, stockpiled on a pallet, transported to a cold room where it is stored for later use, transported to a truck that delivers it to a service outlet where it is unloaded into a smaller storage box requiring refrigeration, where the customer can purchase and use the ice for their intended use. The product when used by the customer has gone through a number of refrigeration processes and it is not uncommon for the ice cubes to have frozen together making them impossible to separate without first applying force. Further, because of the large particle size being between ½ to 1 cubic inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm), it is difficult to distribute the ice evenly to the food to be cooled.
- The second known mode of operation is where the same type of ice particles are formed but are done so at the point of sale of the product. In this application a small capacity ice making machine is installed and the ice is made and bagged by a machine. The bags are then stored at the premises for sale. The system requires mechanical refrigeration both to make and store and the machines are normally built to meet the peak demand period. As ice is a product with seasonal use, there is a lot of redundancy and down time with the system. In both cases the capital expenditure is high to set up the operating plants and the returns need to be generated in the peak seasons.
- In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispensing unit for dispensing ice, snow or snow-like particles to a customer, the unit including:
-
- an actuation device operable by the customer; and
- an apparatus for making ice, snow or snow-like particles, wherein the apparatus is responsive to actuation of the actuation device to produce ice, snow or snow-like particles on demand from ingredients including liquid water;
wherein the unit is operable to deliver the ice, snow or snow-like particles to a containment vessel.
- Preferably the invention described in this document relates to a self dispensing machine that can deliver optionally a 40 pound, 20 pound or 7 pound bag of packing ice (snow) every 30 seconds by feeding a container such as a bag or tub into the machine. The container may be purchased by the customer from the shop assistant and then placed by the customer at the feed section of the machine. The container may include a scanner code. Once the machine reads the scanner code, the machine knows that the container is in place and it starts the process of filling the container with packing ice. In the present form of the invention, the code reader comprises the actuation device to commence operation of the apparatus. In an alternative form of the invention, a button or a coin or note insert mechanism may start the process. Alternatively, tokens may be inserted in place of currency. The coin/token/note receptor may comprise the actuation device to commence operation of the apparatus.
- Once the process is started, preferably water and liquid refrigerant are mixed together in a mixing process to produce a granulated or particulate product referred to as packing ice. The packing ice produced is expelled from the machine to fill the container below. The process is quick and energy efficient as power is only used at the time of making the product and there is no requirement for storage, transport or expensive refrigeration or bagging equipment. As well, the cost of producing the product may be a similar gross cost as the current method of producing bagged ice but the consumer is provided with a free flowing product that is easy to spread in their cooler box. The packing ice can also be provided at a desired selected temperature from 0 degrees Celsius to −20 degrees Celsius or lower for use.
- The packing ice making machine may be operated by adding pure water to liquid carbon dioxide, nitrogen or similar type of cryogenic refrigerant whereby a mixture of both are mixed in the machine as described below to convert the mixture into a powder ice product for immediate use by the consumer. The machine can also be operated by adding other liquids such as soft drinks, syrup and also other ingredients such as pure ice.
- The cryogenic material or refrigerant can be recycled for reuse. The amount of cryogenic material such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen can be as little as 2 to 10% of the total mixture and up to 99% of this material may be recovered for further use. The mixing of the materials may be done in a specially designed insulated vessel that can create the powder snow product in amounts of up to 40 pounds or more in less than 10 seconds.
- The packing ice or snow produced by this cryogenic process may also be created to have a longer life cycle than any other snow produced by varying the amount of cryogenic material included in the process. This also makes the storage of the product in cold rooms more favourable as the snow does not stick together due to the elimination of water from the final product.
- Preferably, an additive, such as salt, sugar or other soluble material, is included in the mixture, preferably in the range of 0.25% to 1.0% (w/w).
- Preferably, the cryogenic material constitutes 2% to 10% (w/w), more preferably 5% to 7% of the mixture.
- Preferably, the cryogenic material is placed in the mixing vessel, before the introduction of the water and/or ice, to assist in cooling the walls of the vessel.
- Preferably, the mixture is agitated or mixed by at least two sets of rotating blades or knives, which are preferably mounted on the shaft, rotatably journalled in the vessel. Preferably, the first set of blades or knives urge the mixture in a direction opposed by the second set of blades or knives.
- The resultant snow may be tipped from the vessel into a suitable receptacle; may be discharged from the vessel by gravity via a valve; be drawn from the vessel by vacuum or suction means; or be discharged through an outlet in a side wall of the vessel by centrifugal force; or by other suitable discharge means.
- In order that the invention may be more fully understood, some embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first machine for the snow making method; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the mixing vessel ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a second machine for the snow making method; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the mixing vessel ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a third machine for the snow making method; - FIGS. 6 to 8 are schematic views of alternative apparatus for discharging the snow from the mixing vessels;
-
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a dispensing unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a recovery process for the recovery of cryogenic material used in the dispensing unit ofFIG. 9 ; and -
FIG. 11 is another schematic view of another dispensing unit according to the present invention, illustrating further useful features. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mixingvessel 10 has a cylindrical tank-like body 11 with a top wall (or lid) 12,side wall 13 andfloor 14 formed of metal and/or plastics material. (The walls may be of metal skin/insulating core/metal skin construction.) - A
shaft 15 is rotatably journalled in thebottom wall 14, substantially c-axial with the vertical axis of thevessel 10. Theshaft 15 is driven via anelectric motor 16 via a drive system 17 (eg., mechanical transmission/pulleys and belt/sprockets and chain). - Respective first and
second blades shaft 15 at spaced locations and extend substantially radially to theshaft 15. As per the second embodiment shown inFIG. 3 , theblades shaft 15 in opposite directions so that rotation of theshaft 15 will cause thelower blade 18 to “lift” the mixture in thevessel 10 and theupper blade 19 to “push down” the mixture in opposition thereto for complete mixing of the mixture. - A
snow discharge outlet 20 is provided in theside wall 13, orfloor 14, of thebody 11 and is selectively closable by a valve controlled by anair cylinder 21. - The top wall or
lid 12 has acryogenic material inlet 22, awater inlet 23 and anadditive inlet 24, where each may have a respective inlet valve (not shown). - Dry ice (CO2) pellets or snow are deposited into the mixing
vessel 10, via theinlet 22, from a storage source orsnow horn 25. Water is deposited into the mixingvessel 23, together with an additive (eg., sugar/salt/at a concentration of 0.25-1.0% (w/w)). Theelectric motor 16 is operated to drive theshaft 15 and the mixture in the mixingvessel 10 is agitated/mixed by theblades - Preferably, the
shaft 15 is rotated between 300 rpm and 5000 rpm, with 2000 rpm to 3000 rpm being a typical rotational speed. It is believed that the release of the CO2 gas from the dry ice, together with the agitation/mixing of the mixture by the blades, operates to “aerate” or “foam” the mixture so that the water is converted into fine snow crystals of a nature identical, or similar, to natural snow. The snow produced by the present method has an appearance, texture and/or characteristic equal, or substantially identical, to natural snow. - The snow crystals are discharged into a
suitable container 26, eg., a wheeled bin by operation of theair cylinder 21 to open thesnow discharge outlet 20. - The operation is then repeated for the next batch.
- The CO2 gas released from the dry ice can be recovered for recycling into liquid or solid CO2, to minimise the operational costs.
- The CO2 gas is drawn from the
vessel 10 via agas outlet 27 by anon-lubricating compressor 28, which compresses the CO2 to, eg., 12 Bar. The compressed CO2 gas is passed through at least one drier 29 andcondenser 30 to remove any water moisture. The dried gas is then passed through anevaporator 31 of arefrigeration unit 32, the evaporator being at a temperature of −5 C. to −70 C., preferably approximately −20 C. - The CO2 gas will liquefy and collect at the bottom of the
liquefier unit 33 and may be stored at a pressure of 1-3 Mpa, at −20 C. or lower, before return to thevessel 10 via CO2 line 34 and liquid CO2 inlet 35. Theinlet 35 incorporates expansion valves and/orexpansion chambers 35 a to cause the liquid CO2 to be released into thevessel 10 in the form of CO2 snow or like solid particles, for mixing with the aqueous mixture in thevessel 10. - The CO2 from the
liquefier unit 33 may be stored in a tank (not shown) or be directed to the CO2 source 25 when themixer vessel 10 is not in operation. - In low temperature applications such as at a ski resort, the low ambient temperatures may be sufficient to condense the gaseous CO2 avoiding the need for the
refrigeration unit 32. - For safety, the mixing
vessel 10 can be provided with a gas safety valve (not shown). - Referring now to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , the mixingvessel 110 of the second embodiment has abody 111,shaft 115,blades - The snow can be discharged via the
snow discharge outlet 120 onto abelt conveyor 140 intocontainers 126 on a vehicle 150 for transport to a remote site, eg., a sports stadium, sporting event or the like. - Ice, in block and/or lump form, is discharged from an
ice making machine 160 through anice inlet 136 provided with aninlet valve 137 and is mixed with CO2 gas or liquid injected via CO2 gas inlet 122 and water injected viawater inlet 123, the CO2 gas and water being supplied fromrespective sources - The water/ice/CO2 mixture is agitated/mixed by the
blades snow discharge outlet 120. - The CO2 gas liberated by the mixing may be drawn off via a CO2 gas outlet 127 and may be refrigerated to a liquid state by a
refrigeration unit 132 and returned to the CO2 source 170 for re-use. - In the modified embodiment of
FIG. 5 , the ice may be supplied viacontainers 226 which are raised via alift unit 280 to deposit the ice into the mixingvessel 210 via theice inlet 236. - The method of making the snow is as hereinbefore described and the resultant snow may be discharged via the
snow discharge outlet 220, onto aconveyor 240 and into a storage ortransport container 226 orvehicle 250. - The
snow discharge outlet side wall vessel blades floor 14,114 to enable gravity discharge from the mixingvessel -
FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative snow discharge arrangement 320 where the snow passes through a manifold 322, connected to the interior of the mixingvessel pipe 323. - A
blower 324 forces pressurised air through anair pipe 325 and snow released via arotary valve 326 is entrained inair flow 327 through ablower pipe 328 for pneumatic transfer to a remote location. - In the embodiment of
FIG. 7 , the snow from the mixingvessel 410 is discharged through asnow discharge outlet 420 in thefloor 414. A suction/blower unit 424 draws the snow from the mixingvessel 410 and discharges it through adischarge pipe 428. - In the alternative embodiment of
FIG. 8 , thesnow discharge outlet 520 is connected to astorage tank 530 which has avacuum pump 531 so that a low pressure in thetank 530 draws the snow from the mixingvessel 510. Thepump 531 may be reversed, or a pressure pump (not shown) forces the snow from the tank via apipe 528. - In a further alternative embodiment (not shown), the top wall (or lid) 12,113 may be hingedly connected to, or removable from, the mixing
vessel - For ski slopes, the snow-making machine could be mounted on a vehicle, eg., a prime mover or trailer; to discharge the snow directly to the skiing slope.
- The snow produced can be of a quality for use in the food and/or beverage industries, eg., to cool food, such as seafood (such as seafood for display or transportation); mixed in drinks as an alternative to ice; or the like.
- As up to 99% of the cryogenic material, eg., the dry ice, can be recovered (and re-used), the cost of production is minimised.
- The machines can be scaled to suit the particular snow requirements of a particular installation or site; can be mobile; or can be installed in an ice works.
- Advantages of the above described snow making machines include:
- 1. The machines can be created in a continuous or batch form of operational system, and machines can be built of all sizes from, eg., a large capacity to 10,000 litre batch capacity.
- 2. The machines can convert water and ice or a mixture of both into snow in less than 15 seconds per cycle.
- 3. The system can use as little as 5% of the liquid Nitrogen or Cryogenic material used in the known Polar Process, which amounts to an enormous saving in production costs for this form of snow making process.
- 4. The system can use any form of ice product or pure water alone to make snow and therefore can be used in any location. The system mixes ice, water, or a mixture of both with a cryogenic material or refrigerant which can be recycled for re-use. The amount of cryogenic material, such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen, can be as little as 2 to 10% of the total mixture, and up to 99% of this material can be recovered for further use. The mixing of the materials is done in a specially designed insulated vessel that can create the powder snow product in amounts of up to one cubic metre or more in less than 10 seconds.
- 5. The system has major operational advantages that can benefit from ice making factories and consumers worldwide. This is because the system can be linked to any new or existing machine at an ice factory, which can be used to convert most ice products into high quality powder snow for the purposes of event or consumer use. In normal circumstances, an ice factory will sell its premium products for around $500 per tonne and their bulk ice products for as low as $70 per tonne. The production cost for the ice making for both products is normally around $20 per tonne or lower. For little extra operating cost, the ice works operator can convert the cheaper bulk ice products into snow on an “as required” basis and, thereby, adding value to their cheaper product and improve the product range and profitability of his business.
- 6. The snow produced by this method and machine is a high quality powder snow, that is difficult to create with any form of artificial snow making machine. The snow produced by this cryogenic process can also be created to have a longer life cycle than an other snow produced, by varying the amount of cryogenic material included in the process. This also makes the storage of the product in cold rooms for later use more favourable as the snow does not stick together due to the elimination of all water from the process.
- 7. The snow system has a major cost advantage for indoor ski centres and ski resorts and areas that have below freezing ambient temperatures. In this regard, the ability to utilise the freezing conditions of the ambient air (which can be increased by the utilisation of high speed fans or the natural wind) to pre-chill the snow-making water to any form of ice or partial ice product. In an indoor ski centre, this requires a minimal additional operating or capital cost and allows the opportunity to optimise the naturally occurring equipment or conditions to make snow for use at the ski area.
- 8. For events at any location, the ice making process can occur in a similar manner and minimal cost as for the use of the system at a ski resort location with below freezing temperature. This is done by providing a chilled air refrigeration truck or container that freezes water in the storage area into ice cubes or other particles which are used in the machine to make snow. At a ski resort with below freezing temperature, the ice can be made in the ambient atmosphere and distributed to the machine. The machine built for the process can be a batch type or continuous system and can incorporate a continuous ice feed for the production to occur.
- 9. The system is simple and operates quickly, and the snow produced can be used straight away or stored in a conventional freezer indefinitely for later use or consumer counter sales.
- 10. A recovery system can be built into the process to recycle the cryogenic material and further reduce the cost of snow production.
- 11. In low temperature applications, such as at a ski resort, the low ambient temperatures that are prevalent can replace the need for a refrigeration system to condense the gaseous carbon dioxide.
- Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated without departing from the present invention. For example, as illustrated in
FIG. 7 theblades - FIGS. 9 to 11 are illustrative of the features of the invention claimed in the present application. Referring to the attached drawing the
dispensing unit 601 comprises a mixing vessel of between 2-100 litres capacity, preferably in the form of an insulated stainless steel tank that holds water. The mixing vessel can also be made from polypropylene, plastic, mild steel or other non corrosive metals. - The vessel can be made of any size. Inside the vessel is a mixing implement 602 with
sheer blades 603 that extend to the radius of the tank. Each vessel will have between 1 to 10 blades that can be spaced at 5 to 20 mm apart and are limited to the bottom half of the vessel. This will allow sufficient space for the aerated packing snow that is to be formed in thetop half 604 of the vessel. The mixing vessel can also use other forms of mixing blades and utensils that are commonly used in sheering or milling vessels. The blades are attached to acentre shaft 605 that is connected to arotating motor 606. - The ingredients are added by way of the clean filtered water pipe line and a liquid
refrigerant feed line 608. Optionally, ice may be added fromice hopper 607. - The mixing implement 602 is rotated at 450 to 3000 rpm or more by a suitable hydraulic, air or
electric motor 610. At the same time as the motor operates, a blower fan attached to theexhaust 611 removes any expandable refrigerant gas from the cryogenic material that is used in the process. - The machine can be placed on a
tipping stand 612A. At the end of the cycle the mixing vessel or the machine can be tilted by an air ram or similar device to drop the packing ice into thecontainer 612B. Alternatively theside gate 612 of the tank is opened by acylinder 613 controlled by a solenoid valve and the snow is thrown from the tank by centrifugal force when the door is opened at the end of the cycle. The packing ice formed is collected in a container orbag 612B which can be placed by the consumer or operator into position or automatically placed into position by the machine. In another form of the invention, the machine may have a removable base that allows the packing ice formed to drop out. - In a preferred form of the invention a recovery system can be built into the process to recycle the cryogenic material and further reduce the cost of snow production.
- Referring to
FIG. 10 , this drawing shows themachine 601 linked to a refrigeration plant to reduce the cost of the snow making process by recycling the refrigerant such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide. The drawing deals specifically with the recovery of the CO2 gas that is drawn from the machine by anon-lubricating compressor 614 which draws the gaseous CO2 from themachine 601 and compresses the gas to a pressure of 1 Bar or more, preferably 2 Bar. After compressing, the gas is forced throughdesiccant driers 616, condensers or similar appliances to remove any water residue from the gaseous CO2. After this process the gaseous CO2 is drawn to anevaporator chamber 618 of a suitablysized refrigeration unit 619. The coil temperature of the evaporator should be in the range of −5 to −70 degrees Celsius, preferably −20 degrees Celsius. When the pressure of the gas and the coil temperature meet the dew point of the Gaseous CO2 state, the CO2 will liquefy and be collected at the bottom of a liquefier unit. The liquefier unit can be a vertical shell and tube, inclined double pipe or a shell and tube configuration. - The CO2 liquid that is collected can be stored in a
pressure vessel 620 at a pressure of 1 to 3 Mpa and can be maintained at a temperature of −20 degrees Celsius or lower. The liquid CO2 can be returned to themachine 601 byline 621 for reuse in the snow making system. Asolenoid valve 622 is provided to control the flow. Expanding chambers (not shown) placed at the entry point of the liquid allow for the liquid to be released into the snow making machine as carbon dioxide snow. A suitable quantity is added and mixed with the aqueous solution to be made into packing ice. The CO2 snow is returned to its gaseous state and the cycle is again repeated. This process of recycling the CO2 cuts down on green house gas emissions and substantially reduces the cost of the snow produced. - A large liquid CO2 reservoir could be created to hold the liquid when not needed for use. The process described above may be appropriate for use with other cryogenic materials.
- Referring to
FIG. 11 , a diagram of another preferred embodiment of the machine is shown. Thecontrol panel 631 including display has the capability to question the requirement of temperature of the packing ice and asks the consumer to insert thecontainer 632. When the container is added, the operator is asked to close thedoor 633. Once the door is closed the container is automatically scanned byscanner 640 to detect valid payment indicia on the container. The scanner thereby constitutes the actuation device and the process commences wherebysolenoid valve 634 for water opens for a predetermined time andsolenoid valve 635 for liquid carbon dioxide opens for a predetermined time. The opening of the valves is calculated by alogic controller 636 based on the temperature of the water and packing ice temperature input by the customer/operator. After both ingredients are in the bowl theexhaust fan 637 is opened and the mixingmotor 638 is started. The mixture of materials creates the packing ice product quickly. When this is done (normally after 10 seconds) the motor is stopped and the mixingvessel 638 is tilted to distribute the product to thecontainer 632 below. The exhaust fan then stops. The mixing vessel is tilted back into the operating position and thedoor 633 is opened automatically and the consumer can take their packing ice product for use. The machine is ready for reuse. The mixingvessel 638 is sterilised on a regular basis by an injection of liquid refrigerant. - The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention set out in the following claims.
- It will also be understood that the term “comprising” (or its grammatical variants) as used in this specification is equivalent to the term “includes” and should not be taken as excluding the presence of other elements or features.
- The foregoing prior art discussion does not form part of the common general knowledge.
- It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.
Claims (13)
1. A device for dispensing ice, snow or snow-like particles comprising:
an actuation device;
an apparatus for making ice, snow or snow-like particles, wherein the apparatus is responsive to actuation of the actuation device to produce ice, snow or snow-like particles on demand from ingredients comprising liquid water;
wherein the device delivers the ice, snow or snow-like particles on demand from ingredients comprising liquid water;
wherein the device delivers the ice, snow, or snow-like particles to a containment vessel.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said actuation device is actuated upon detecting an indication of a payment by a customer.
3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the device is a vending machine in which its actuation results from the introduction of a suitable currency or tokens into the vending machine.
4. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the actuation device is actuated by detecting indicia provided on the containment vessel.
5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the ingredients further include a cryogenic material.
6. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the cryogenic material comprises dry ice.
7. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the cryogenic material comprises dry ice.
8. The device according to claim 5 , further comprising a mixing vessel for mechanically agitating and/or mixing the ingredients at a speed sufficient to convert the water into ice, snow or snow-like particles.
9. The device according to claim 8 , wherein the mixing vessel tilts to cause the ingredients and/or ice, snow or snow-like particles to be discharged from the mixing vessel.
10. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the mixing vessel has a closure which opens to empty the mixing vessel's contents.
11. The device according to claim 1 , located in a housing wherein the containment vessel is accessible to a customer.
12. The device according to claim 5 , further including a controller which controls the proportion of the ingredients base on the temperature of the water.
13. The device according to claim 12 , wherein a customer selects the temperature of the ice, snow or snow-like particles by activation of the controller.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/909,491 US20050035210A1 (en) | 2004-03-15 | 2004-08-02 | Dispensing unit for ice or snow-like particles |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/475,228 US6938830B2 (en) | 2001-04-19 | 2002-04-19 | Snow making method and apparatus |
US10/909,491 US20050035210A1 (en) | 2004-03-15 | 2004-08-02 | Dispensing unit for ice or snow-like particles |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AU2002/000492 Continuation-In-Part WO2002086401A1 (en) | 2001-04-19 | 2002-04-19 | Snow making method and apparatus |
US10/475,228 Continuation-In-Part US6938830B2 (en) | 2001-04-19 | 2002-04-19 | Snow making method and apparatus |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050035210A1 true US20050035210A1 (en) | 2005-02-17 |
Family
ID=34135043
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/909,491 Abandoned US20050035210A1 (en) | 2004-03-15 | 2004-08-02 | Dispensing unit for ice or snow-like particles |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050035210A1 (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070123414A1 (en) * | 2002-12-31 | 2007-05-31 | Univation Technologies, Llc | Bimetallic catalyst, method of polymerization and bimodal polyolefins therefrom |
US20070119209A1 (en) * | 2003-11-28 | 2007-05-31 | Alfio Bucceri | Snow making method and apparatus |
US20130264032A1 (en) * | 2011-02-26 | 2013-10-10 | Naeem Ahmad | Snow/ ice making & preserving methods |
US20150000311A1 (en) * | 2010-03-15 | 2015-01-01 | Whirlpool Corporation | Fast ice making device |
EP2990743A2 (en) | 2014-08-07 | 2016-03-02 | Alfio Bucceri | Snow making method and apparatus |
IT201600105275A1 (en) * | 2016-10-19 | 2018-04-19 | Born To Mix S R L | MIXING DEVICE FOR MAKING A MIXTURE IN THE FORM OF POWDER OR LIQUID INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE POLYMER AND PLANT EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE |
EP3455566A4 (en) * | 2016-03-07 | 2020-02-26 | Industries Samson Inc. | Conveying assembly for snowmaking apparatus |
CN110926104A (en) * | 2019-12-02 | 2020-03-27 | 张信学 | Water-cooled material cooling equipment for ultrahigh-power graphite electrode production |
US11725780B2 (en) * | 2017-01-31 | 2023-08-15 | Nearshore Natural Gas, Llc | Compressed natural gas storage and transportation system |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2706385A (en) * | 1951-11-19 | 1955-04-19 | Frank W Topping | Ice and water dispensers |
US2969650A (en) * | 1957-11-01 | 1961-01-31 | Yates American Machine Co | Ice making and vending machine |
US3319436A (en) * | 1965-11-29 | 1967-05-16 | Phillips Petroleum Co | Ice slush dispenser |
US4276750A (en) * | 1977-08-19 | 1981-07-07 | Hoshizaki Electric Co., Ltd. | Flake ice vending machine |
US5413249A (en) * | 1993-02-26 | 1995-05-09 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Automatic vending machine |
US5501367A (en) * | 1993-06-15 | 1996-03-26 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Ice feeder |
US6093312A (en) * | 1998-01-22 | 2000-07-25 | Entre Pure, Inc. | Ice dispenser with an air-cooled bin |
US6112539A (en) * | 1999-01-23 | 2000-09-05 | Colberg; Francisco J. | Ice making and bagging vending machine |
US6938830B2 (en) * | 2001-04-19 | 2005-09-06 | Snow Factories Pty Ltd | Snow making method and apparatus |
-
2004
- 2004-08-02 US US10/909,491 patent/US20050035210A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2706385A (en) * | 1951-11-19 | 1955-04-19 | Frank W Topping | Ice and water dispensers |
US2969650A (en) * | 1957-11-01 | 1961-01-31 | Yates American Machine Co | Ice making and vending machine |
US3319436A (en) * | 1965-11-29 | 1967-05-16 | Phillips Petroleum Co | Ice slush dispenser |
US4276750A (en) * | 1977-08-19 | 1981-07-07 | Hoshizaki Electric Co., Ltd. | Flake ice vending machine |
US5413249A (en) * | 1993-02-26 | 1995-05-09 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Automatic vending machine |
US5501367A (en) * | 1993-06-15 | 1996-03-26 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Ice feeder |
US6093312A (en) * | 1998-01-22 | 2000-07-25 | Entre Pure, Inc. | Ice dispenser with an air-cooled bin |
US6112539A (en) * | 1999-01-23 | 2000-09-05 | Colberg; Francisco J. | Ice making and bagging vending machine |
US6938830B2 (en) * | 2001-04-19 | 2005-09-06 | Snow Factories Pty Ltd | Snow making method and apparatus |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070123414A1 (en) * | 2002-12-31 | 2007-05-31 | Univation Technologies, Llc | Bimetallic catalyst, method of polymerization and bimodal polyolefins therefrom |
US20070119209A1 (en) * | 2003-11-28 | 2007-05-31 | Alfio Bucceri | Snow making method and apparatus |
US7484373B2 (en) | 2003-11-28 | 2009-02-03 | Snow Factories Sa | Snow making method and apparatus |
US9599386B2 (en) * | 2010-03-15 | 2017-03-21 | Whirlpool Corporation | Method for forming ice cubes in an ice making device |
US20150000311A1 (en) * | 2010-03-15 | 2015-01-01 | Whirlpool Corporation | Fast ice making device |
US20130264032A1 (en) * | 2011-02-26 | 2013-10-10 | Naeem Ahmad | Snow/ ice making & preserving methods |
EP2990743A2 (en) | 2014-08-07 | 2016-03-02 | Alfio Bucceri | Snow making method and apparatus |
US9909796B2 (en) | 2014-08-07 | 2018-03-06 | Alfio Bucceri | Snow making method and apparatus |
EP3455566A4 (en) * | 2016-03-07 | 2020-02-26 | Industries Samson Inc. | Conveying assembly for snowmaking apparatus |
IT201600105275A1 (en) * | 2016-10-19 | 2018-04-19 | Born To Mix S R L | MIXING DEVICE FOR MAKING A MIXTURE IN THE FORM OF POWDER OR LIQUID INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE POLYMER AND PLANT EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE |
US11725780B2 (en) * | 2017-01-31 | 2023-08-15 | Nearshore Natural Gas, Llc | Compressed natural gas storage and transportation system |
US20230332744A1 (en) * | 2017-01-31 | 2023-10-19 | Nearshore Natural Gas, Llc | Compressed natural gas storage and transportation system |
CN110926104A (en) * | 2019-12-02 | 2020-03-27 | 张信学 | Water-cooled material cooling equipment for ultrahigh-power graphite electrode production |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5692392A (en) | Soft frozen beverage dispenser apparatus and method | |
CA1297720C (en) | Process and apparatus for freezing liquid or semiliquid foods inthe form of essentially uniform pellets | |
US4404817A (en) | Satellite ice plant | |
US5005364A (en) | Apparatus for and method of making and delivering slush ice | |
US4632566A (en) | Ice-cream making machine | |
US20050035210A1 (en) | Dispensing unit for ice or snow-like particles | |
US6938830B2 (en) | Snow making method and apparatus | |
US4332145A (en) | System for making frozen food article | |
US9134060B2 (en) | Ice and chilled water producing and dispensing machine | |
AU2010257201B2 (en) | Snow making method and apparatus | |
AU2002248984A1 (en) | Snow making method and apparatus | |
CN104654698A (en) | Ice bin and method of crushing ice using the same | |
US6260361B1 (en) | Combination low temperature liquid or slush carbon dioxide ground support system | |
JP2006010129A (en) | Ice-making system of seawater sherbet ice | |
US2426368A (en) | Apparatus for freezing liquids | |
AU2004203217B2 (en) | A dispensing unit for ice or snow-like particles | |
US6360547B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for cooling air to cryogenic temperatures for recycling processes | |
CN202425567U (en) | Inclined porous rotary drum type freezing device | |
US20230320375A1 (en) | Systems and methods for rapidly freezing a liquid | |
KR20060120876A (en) | Slush suppling equipment | |
CN117366976A (en) | Refrigerating and freezing device and control method thereof | |
EP4203703A1 (en) | Systems and methods for rapidly freezing a liquid | |
KR200253240Y1 (en) | Vending machine for crushed ice | |
WO2020059241A1 (en) | Device for producing gas-containing ice, and method for producing gas-containing ice | |
WO2004042295A1 (en) | A procedure and system for producing a cryogenic product and application of the product |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SNOW FACTORIES PTY LTD, AUSTRALIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BUCCERI, ALFIO;REEL/FRAME:015936/0162 Effective date: 20040910 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SNOW FACTORIES SA, BELGIUM Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SNOW FACTORIES PTY LTD.;REEL/FRAME:016785/0529 Effective date: 20050414 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE |