WO2011059399A1

WO2011059399A1 - Method of and arrangement for manufacturing construction elements of artificial snow

Info

Publication number: WO2011059399A1
Application number: PCT/SE2010/051260
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yngve Bergqvist
Original assignee: Icehotel Ab
Priority date: 2009-11-16
Filing date: 2010-11-16
Publication date: 2011-05-19
Also published as: EP2501871A4; EP2501871A1; SE534323C2; SE0950866A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for manufacture of construction elements (1) of artificial snow (2) comprising the introduction of artificial snow (2) under pressure into a compartment (3), where the compartment (3) has a form that corresponds to the desired or determined form of the construction element (1). The invention concerns also an arrangement (4) that is to be used during manufacture of construction elements (1) of artificial snow (2). The arrangement (4) comprises a compartment (3) into which artificial snow (2) is introduced under pressure, that the form of the compartment corresponds to the desired or determined form of the construction element (1), and that the arrangement (4) is manufactured from a rigid material.

Description

Method of and arrangement for manufacturing construction elements of artificial snow.

Technical area

This invention concerns a method and an arrangement that is to be used during manufacture of construction elements of artificial snow according to the introductions to claims 1 and 12.

Background

Methods and arrangements to be used during the manufacture of formations of snow are previously known. The arrangements have one side open and they are manually filled with snow. Snow is lifted in by hand or shovelled into the arrangement and it is compressed by hand or by a spade or similar. The arrangement is subsequently turned such that the block falls out of the arrangement or such that the arrangement can be lifted away from the block. This is time-consuming work. Description of the invention

One purpose of this invention is to offer a method and an arrangement that make it possible to manufacture construction elements of artificial snow rapidly and simply.

This purpose is achieved through a method comprising the technical distinctive features that are specified in the characteristic part of claim 1 and an arrangement comprising the technical distinctive features that are specified in the characteristic part of claim 12.

Brief description of drawings

Figure 1 shows the filling of artificial snow into an arrangement according to the invention. Figure 2 shows the removal of a construction element from an arrangement according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows an arrangement according to the invention.

Figure 4 shows an arrangement according to the invention and the construction element that has been manufactured using the arrangement.

Figure 5 shows a second arrangement according to the invention and the construction element that has been manufactured using the arrangement.

Figure 6 shows a third arrangement according to the invention and the construction element that has been manufactured using the arrangement.

Figure 7 shows the same arrangement as Figure 4.

Figure 8 shows the same arrangement as Figure 5.

Figure 9 shows the same arrangement as Figure 6.

RECORD COPY-TRANSLATION

(Rule 12,4) Detailed description of embodiments The method

This invention concerns a method for the manufacture of construction elements 1 of artificial snow 2 comprising the introduction of artificial snow under pressure into a compartment 3, where the compartment 3 has a form that corresponds to the desired or determined form of the construction element 1. See Figure 1.

Artificial snow contains more moisture than naturally occurring snow and gives better results in the manufacture of construction elements, since the snowflakes, the ice crystals, adhere better to each other. The construction elements obtain also a higher density. The construction elements will be more robust and more stable. They will be also easier to handle since they will not have a tendency to shed fragments. The introduction of artificial snow under pressure and at a high speed ensures that the spread of snow throughout the compartment is improved, that the packing of snow in the compartment is improved, and that the time required to fill the compartment is shorter than that required when packing snow manually. The introduction of snow under pressure is more rapid, and requires that the introduction take place with the aid of machine power, rather than by hand.

The use of a compartment that has a form that corresponds to the desired form of the construction element leads to the form of the construction element being complete when it is removed from the compartment, and the construction element being ready to use in construction. This means that the manufacture of construction elements is maximised with respect to time since the construction elements do not need to undergo any trimming of form after manufacture or before use.

The manufacture of snow

The method according to the invention comprises also the manufacture of artificial snow 2 if this is not already available. The manufacture of artificial snow 2 takes place through the use of a snow cannon, not shown in the drawings.

The compartment the arrangement

It is appropriate that the method comprise the use of an arrangement 4 comprising the compartment 3. If the arrangement 4 is not ready to use, construction, mounting, preparation, of the arrangement 4 must take place. The mounting comprises uniting wall sections 5 in order to limit, to bound, the compartment 3. See Figures 2-9.

The appearance of the compartment differs, depending on the desired appearance of the construction element 1. See Figures 4-6. Different arrangements are used for different types of construction element and thus different wall sections are united. The method according to the invention comprises the mounting of wall sections 5 comprising a bottom part 5a and at least two side parts 5b and 5c. The wall sections 5 in the examples shown comprise a bottom part 5a and two side parts 5b and 5c, or a bottom part 5d and four side parts 5e-5h. The method may also comprise in suitable cases the mounting of a further wall section 5, a top part 5i, a cover, on the uppermost surface of the arrangement. The term "uppermost surface" [sic, "refers to the situation" missing] in which the arrangement 4 is in its position of use. The introduction of snow

The activation of an arrangement 6 for the introduction of artificial snow makes possible the introduction of artificial snow 2 under pressure into the compartment 3. The arrangement 6 for the introduction of artificial snow comprises a part 7 for the introduction of artificial snow, which part comprises a mouthpiece 7a. The arrangement 6 for the introduction of artificial snow comprises some form of machine-based provider of power that imparts motion to artificial snow 2, places it under pressure and transports it into the compartment 3. The pressurisation of artificial snow takes place through the use of a snow blower, appropriately of the front-mounted type of snow blower, not shown in the drawings. The introduction of artificial snow 2 takes place at the upper part of the compartment, through an opening 8, when the compartment 3 is in its filling condition. Artificial snow 2 has relatively high speed and a relatively high pressure, such that it is compressed inside the compartment 3, in the arrangement 4, and extends to fill all angles and comers of the compartment. Reinforcement

Snow is a relatively porous material, and even if the artificial snow has a high density, it is appropriate to reinforce the construction elements, to place reinforcement 9 into the snow. The reinforcement comprises pieces of wood, steel or other suitable material. Dressing

The introduction of artificial snow 2 is followed by the dressing of artificial snow 2 that is in the compartment 3 on a surface 1a that faces the opening 8 that makes possible the introduction of artificial snow into the compartment 3, such that this surface 1a of the construction element 1 formed from artificial snow in the compartment 3 becomes smooth. The artificial snow 2 that is in the compartment 3, in the arrangement 4, at the opening 8, is dressed such that this surface 1a, the uppermost surface of the construction element 1 formed from artificial snow in the compartment 1 becomes smooth. The term "uppermost surface" refers to the [sic, "situation in which" missing] the construction element 1 remains in the compartment 3 and the arrangement 4 is in its condition for filling, for manufacture, for use. The tool that is used to dress the snow at the opening 8, the open side, when the arrangement has been filled is mounted on a tractor, not shown in the drawings.

Form stabilisation

In order for the construction element 1 to solidify in the form desired and in order for it to be easy to handle, form stabilisation of the construction element 1 formed from artificial snow 2 takes place through retaining the construction element 1 in the compartment 3, in the arrangement 4, for a predetermined period of time. The retention of the construction element 1 in the compartment 3 takes place for at least 48 hours.

Removal of construction elements

When the construction element 1 can be considered to be ready to use, opening of the compartment 3, removal of the retaining forces that act on the construction element 1 and removal of the construction element 1 from the compartment 3, from the arrangement 4, take place. When the construction element 1 is to be removed from the compartment 3, the compartment 3 has been so formed that it comprises one completely open side and release angles greater than or equal to 90°, which makes possible the removal of the construction element manufactured from artificial snow from the compartment.

If the arrangement is provided with a cover part 5i, this is removed first. A tension arrangement 10 is activated to a first condition in which the tension arrangement 10 opens the compartment 3. The form of the compartment expands somewhat such that the construction element 1 loses contact with the limiting wall sections 5 of the compartment. Through the removal of the limiting wall sections 5 of the compartment, it becomes possible to remove the construction element from the compartment. The wall sections 5 of the arrangement, of the compartment, can be fully or partially separated from each other. The side parts 5b and 5c or 5e-5h are subsequently removed from the bottom part 5a or 5d such that the construction element 1 is released.

The arrangement This invention concerns also a method that is to be used during the manufacture of construction elements 1 of artificial snow 2. The arrangement 4 comprises a compartment 3 into which artificial snow 2 is introduced under pressure. The form of the compartment corresponds to the desired or determined form of the construction element 1. The arrangement 4 is manufactured from a rigid material.

Artificial snow contains more moisture than naturally occurring snow and gives better results in the manufacture of construction elements, since the snowflakes, the ice crystals, adhere better to each other. The construction elements obtain also a higher density. The construction elements will be more robust and more stable. They will be also easier to handle since they will not have a tendency to shed fragments.

The introduction of artificial snow under pressure and at a high speed ensures that the spread of snow throughout the compartment is improved, that the packing of snow in the compartment is improved, and that the time required to fill the compartment is shorter than that required when packing manually. The introduction of snow under pressure is more rapid, and requires that the introduction takes place with the aid of machine power, rather than by hand. The use of a compartment that has a form that corresponds to the desired form of the construction element leads to the form of the construction element being complete when it is removed from the compartment, and the construction element being ready to use in construction. This means that the manufacture of construction elements 1 is maximised with respect to time since the construction elements do not need to undergo any trimming of form after manufacture or before use.

It is a requirement that the arrangement 4 be manufactured from a rigid material in order for it to be possible to introduce artificial snow 2 into the compartment 3 under pressure. The arrangement 4, the compartment 3, must be rigid such that its form does not change during the introduction of the artificial snow, and in order for its form not to be changed by the artificial snow, the construction element 1 , which is to remain in the compartment 3, the arrangement 4, for a certain period in order to achieve form stabilisation. The rigid material ensures that the compartment 3 has a form that corresponds to that of the desired construction element 1 during its complete manufacture such that the construction element 1 obtains the desired form and does not need to be trimmed after the manufacture or before the use of the construction element 1. The compartment of the arrangement

The arrangement 4 comprises wall sections 5 in order to limit, to bound, the compartment 3. Each wall section has a smooth inner surface 5.1 directed in towards the compartment 3. The arrangement 4 comprises also a tension arrangement 10 that holds the wall sections 5 together such that the form of the compartment is retained. The tension arrangement 10 comprises parts that act between at least two side parts 5b and 5c, 5f and 5g and/or 5f and 5h. The tension arrangement 10 functions in the manner that it, in a first condition, opens the compartment 3 by changing the locations of two side parts 5b and 5c, 5f and 5g and/or 5f and 5h, side parts that face each other, side parts that are located next to each other, such that they slide a short distance apart from each other. In a second condition the tension arrangement 10 locks the form of the compartment by moving the side parts s 5b and 5c, 5f and 5g or 5f and 5h towards each other and retaining them in this position. The tension arrangement 10 comprises parts 10a that are located on two side parts 5b and 5c, 5f and 5g and/or 5f and 5h that are arranged next to each other. These tension parts that act sideways interact with a part 10b that unites the side tension parts 10a with each other. The connecting part 10b is the active part that is influenced, rotated, such that the side tension parts 10a, and thus also the side parts 5b and 5c, 5f and 5g and/or 5f and 5h, are displaced in a direction away from or towards each other. Each tension arrangement 10 comprises a wedge bolt 10b that is the connecting part.

One embodiment of an arrangement 4 according to the invention is shown in Figures 4 and 7 and comprises wall sections 5 that in turn comprise a bottom part 5a and two side parts 5b and 5c. The bottom part 5a is principally arranged to be horizontal and the side parts 5b and 5s are principally arranged to be vertical, when the arrangement 4 is in its filling condition, its condition when in use. The bottom part 5a has an areal extent that principally corresponds to the areal extent of the construction element. One of the side parts 5b is straight and the second side part 5c is curved, it is C-formed or U-formed. The construction element 1 that is manufactured in this arrangement 4 will be a flat areally extended construction with one straight side and otherwise having the form of an arch. Such an arrangement is intended for the manufacture of complete wall elements with an upper edge whose form coincides with the form of an arch, with the principally semicircular lower form of a complete arch or with the principally semicircular form of the joint lower form of two arches arranged against each other. When the construction element is located under any one of these types of arch, the construction element will cover the complete area under the arch such that a wall is formed. The wall sections may also comprise a bottom part 5d and four side parts 5e-5h, see Figures 5 and 6, and Figures 8 and 9. The bottom part 5d is also in this case principally arranged to be horizontal and the side parts 5e-5h are principally arranged to be vertical, when the arrangement is in its filling condition. The bottom part 5d has an areal extent that principally corresponds to the areal extent of the construction element at one of its end sections, at one arched end of the construction element. Two opposing side parts 5e and 5f are curved, they are C-formed or U-formed. Two other side parts 5g and 5h are straight and unite the curved side parts 5e and 5f with each other at each end of the arrangement 4. The opposing curved sides 5e and 5f are arranged to be parallel and arranged with their curvatures having the same direction. An arrangement having this construction is intended for the manufacture of complete arches or for the manufacture of half arches.

The opening of the arrangement

An arrangement according to the invention comprises an opening 8 that makes possible the introduction of artificial snow 2 under pressure into the compartment 3. The opening 8 is located on the upper side of the arrangement, when the arrangement 4 is seen in its working position. The opening 8 constitutes the complete side that opposes the bottom part 5a or 5d, which side constitutes the upper side of the arrangement when the arrangement is located in its condition in use. Alternatively, the opening 8 may be comprised within a top part 5i, see Figure 3, that covers the upper side of the arrangement. The top part 5i thus is provided with the opening 8.

The opening 8 may be also partially covered by a cover 5j, see Figure 4, which prevents snow from swirling up and out from the arrangement 4. The cover 5j is, for example, a disk arranged over a part of the opening 8 that prevents artificial snow from leaving the arrangement 4. This is particularly important at the beginning of the introduction procedure for snow into the arrangement 4, since the snow is pressed against the smooth inner surface of the arrangement and tends to bounce or glide out from the arrangement 4, the compartment 3. After a certain period of filling, the snow that has been added becomes affixed to the snow that is already in the compartment 3 and thus remains inside the arrangement 4, the compartment 3.

The material of the arrangement

An arrangement 4 according to the invention may be manufactured from sheet metal or from polymer material. What is important is that the material can offer plane, smooth surfaces 5.1 in towards the compartment 3 such that a completed construction element 1 is easily released from the compartment 3, the arrangement 4. It is advantageous also if the material is not so heavy, such that the weight of the arrangement can be kept low. It is important also that the material be sufficiently stable and rigid such that the form is retained also when artificial snow is introduced under pressure and when the completed construction element is to be stored for a certain period in order to freeze together sufficiently. Oxalite is an example of a polymer material, a plastic material. It is practical if the material has itself or provides ready-release properties, and it is possible to use also releasing agents in order to make it easy to remove the construction element from the compartment, the arrangement.

Supports

The arrangement may comprise supports 11 for the stabilisation of the arrangement when setting up the arrangement or during the introduction of artificial snow and, for example, during the form stabilisation of the construction element 1 in the compartment 3, the arrangement 4, or during the actual removal of the construction element 1 from the compartment 3, the arrangement 4.

Parts, fittings and technical distinctive features with different functions and designs than those described here may be freely combined within the innovative concept of the invention, as long as the desired function is obtained.

Claims

1. A method for manufacture of construction elements (1 ) of artificial snow (2) c h a r a c t e r i s e d by the introduction of artificial snow (2) under pressure into a compartment (3), where the compartment (3) has a form that corresponds to the desired or determined form of the construction element (1 ).

2. The method according to claim 1 , comprising the manufacture of artificial snow (2).

3. The method according to claim 2, where the manufacture takes place through the use of a snow cannon.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, comprising use of an arrangement

(4) comprising the compartment (3).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, comprising activation of an arrangement (6) for the introduction of artificial snow that makes possible the introduction of artificial snow (2) under pressure into the compartment (3).

6. The method according to claim 5, where pressurisation of artificial snow (2) takes place through the use of a snow blower.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, comprising reinforcement of the construction elements (1 ).

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, where the introduction of artificial snow (2) is followed by dressing of artificial snow (2) that is in the compartment (3) on a surface (1a) that faces an opening (8) that makes possible the introduction of artificial snow into the compartment (3) such that this surface of the construction element (1 ) formed from artificial snow in the compartment (3) becomes smooth.

9. The method according to any one any one [sic, repeated] of claims 1-8, comprising form stabilisation of the construction element (1 ) formed from artificial snow through retention of the construction element (1 ) in the compartment (3) for a predetermined period of time.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, comprising opening of the compartment (3), removal of the retaining forces that act on the construction element (1 ), and removal of the construction element (1 ) from the compartment (3).

1 1. The method according to claim 10, comprising activation of a tension arrangement (10) to a first condition in which the tension arrangement (10) opens the compartment (3).

12. An arrangement (4) that is to be used during manufacture of construction elements (1 ) of artificial snow (2) c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the arrangement (4) comprises a compartment (3) into which artificial snow (2) is introduced under pressure, that the form of the compartment corresponds to the desired or determined form of the construction element (1 ), and that the arrangement (4) is manufactured from a rigid material.

13. The arrangement (4) according to claim 12, comprising wall sections (5, 5a-5i) in order to limit, to bound, the compartment (3).

14. The arrangement (4) according to claim 12 or 13, comprising a tension arrangement (10) that acts between two wall sections (5, 5b and 5c, 5f and 5g, and/or 5f and 5h) and that opens the compartment (3) in a first condition and locks the compartment (3) in its form in a second condition.

15. The arrangement (4) according to claim 13 or 14 where the wall sections (5) comprise a bottom part (5a) and two side parts (5b, 5c).

16. The arrangement (4) according to claim 5 [sic, 15] where the bottom part (5a) has an areal extension corresponding to the areal extension of the construction element, where one side part (5b) is straight and the second side part (5c) is curved, it has a C-form or a U-form.

17. The arrangement (4) according to claim 13 or 14, where the wall sections (5) comprise a bottom part (5d) and four side parts (5e-5h).

18. The arrangement (4) according to claim 17, where the bottom part (5d) has an areal extension that corresponds to one arched end of the construction element, where two opposing side parts (5e, 5f) are curved, they have C-forms or U-forms, and where two side parts (5g, 5h) are straight and unite the curved side parts (5e, 5f) with each other at each end of the arrangement (4).

19. The arrangement (4) according to any one of claims 12-18 comprising an opening (8) that makes possible the introduction of artificial snow (2) under pressure into the compartment (3).

20. The arrangement (4) according to any one of claims 12-19, manufactured from sheet metal.

21. The arrangement (4) according to any one of claims 12-19, manufactured from a polymer material.