Abstract An artificial snow machine for display purposes includes a cylindrical container having an inverted conically shaped bottom. High pressure air is admitted to the interior of the container through a port at the apex of the cone to pressurize the container. A motor driven fan is mounted on the top of the container, the fan blades being inside the container. A plurality of rotatable elbows provide communication from the interior to the exterior of the container through the sides and near the top thereof. The container is adapted to be filled with artificial snow material, such as small plastic pellets, to a level approximately two-thirds the height of the container. Circulating air from the fan blades churn and suspend some of the pellets, some of which are carried from the pressurized container by the escaping air. A shroud around the fan blades prevents pellets from striking the blades. Pellets leaving the elbows, or hoses connected thereto, form a screen as they fall.
Apparatus for producing the effect of falling snow comprising: a closed container adapted to hold a quantity of relatively lightweight pelletized material, said container including a bottom member having an opening therethrough and a cover member; means adapted to connect a source of pressurized air to said bottom member opening; fan means mounted on said cover member inside said container for blowing air downwardly onto said pelletized material with the circulating air currents caused by said fan means churning said pelletized material and causing pellets to be entrained in the circulating air currents; and at least one exit member extending through the wall of said container near the top thereof with the escape of said pressurized air from said at least one exit member carrying some of the entrained pellets therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for producing the effect of falling snow comprising: a closed container adapted to hold a quantity of relatively lightweight pelletized material, said container including a bottom member having an opening therethrough and a cover member; means adapted to connect a source of pressurized air to said bottom member opening; fan means mounted on said cover member inside said container for blowing air downwardly onto said pelletized material with the circulating air currents caused by said fan means churning said pelletized material and causing pellets to be entrained in the circulating air currents; and at least one exit member extending through the wall of said container near the top thereof with the escape of said pressurized air from said at least one exit member carrying some of the entrained pellets therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said exit member includes means for varying the effective open area of said exit member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each said exit member comprises an elbow pipe and said varying means includes means for rotating said elbow pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including hose means connected to each said exit member for directing the pelletized material from said apparatus to a location remote from said apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes means for varying the pressure of air entering said bottom member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for preventing said pelletized material from contacting said fan means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said preventing means includes a cylindrical shroud member surrounding said fan means and mounted on the inside of said cover member, said shroud member having openings therethrough for allowing circulation of air about said fan means.