Abstract:
A Machine and method for producing the illusion of snow is disclosed and described. It produces said product in a manner such that is easier to manufacture, operate, and produce than is currently available. Said machine is housed within a snowman or other winter themed housing.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 09/664,271 filed Sep. 18, 2000 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to the production of illusionary snow. More particularly, a machine which capable of creating the illusion of snow for theatrical or special effect purposes without the use of refrigeration, and without causing the accumulation of any residual moisture in the area in which it is used. The machine for producing the evaporative snow is contained within a snowman, producing a winter and/or Christmas theme display.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The world of theater and special effects has prided itself on the ability to create illusions. The masters of this art are continually creating their magic for the entertainment of their patrons. One of the most challenging illusions is that of snow. This presents a distinct difficulty. Limitations based on temperature and accumulation of moisture have always plagued the special effects creators.  
           [0004]    There are many commercially available machines for producing snow. Many of these liquid based snow machines have been able to produce artificial snowflakes. The flakes formed were tight groupings of bubbles that were moist and had a tendency to clump together. This caused difficulty in dissipation. Additionally, there were concerns regarding moisture buildup in the area in which the machine was used. The problems of slippery floors, surfaces, and staining from the product have not been overcome. In an attempt to overcome these problems, people have attempted the use of fans in order to more widely distribute the artificial snow produced by these earlier machines. However, the flakes tend to form agglomerates which are not substantially effected by the auxiliary fans. These auxiliary fans do not overcome the physical difficulty of moisture buildup or the danger, which it presents.  
           [0005]    The current invention overcomes these deficiencies. It provides for the creation of illusionary snow by an apparatus that utilizes a solution, which is commercially available as FG-100 Evaporative Snow (manufactured by Snow Masters, Plantation Fla.) drawn into a turbulent carrier wave of air at the same point at which the flakes are produced. The preciseness of placement of the carrier wave prevents tight clumps from forming, and causes greater separation between the flakes. Once the individualized flakes are carried from the machine, the evaporative process occurs and prevents moisture buildup.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 shows a complete illusionary snow machine that incorporates all of the aspects of the invention.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 illustrates the pump with connecting hose and the flake generator.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 shows the front of the snowman  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 shows the back of the snowman  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 shows a side view of the snowman  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 6 Shows the back of the snowman with the cover removed and the arrangement of the parts  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 7 shows a side view of the snowman with the back cover removed  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 8 is a side view cross section showing placement of the illusionary snow solution in the base of the snowman  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 9 illustrates the nozzle assembly  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 10 illustrates the arrangement of the functional parts without the snowman  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 11 illustrates the arrangement of the functional parts without the snowman and showing the blower of the flake generator 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]    The illusionary snow solution  2  under pressure is drawn into connecting hose  3  by means of an in-line liquid pump  1  at a rate of 4 ounces per minute. The liquid then continues to a flake generator  7  where it saturates a sock  4 . An impeller  5  contained within flake generator  7  causes flakes to form and to be projected into the air while an integrated carrier fan  6  facilitates the distribution of individual flakes. The flake generator  7  will produce a constant 3000 cubic feet per minute of airflow. This volume of air is forced through sock  4  and holes  8 , which are on the outer surface of flake generator  7 . Pressure of the air coming through sock  4  causes flakes to be formed on the outer surface of said sock  4 . The volume of air produced by impeller  5  that exits flake generator  7  through the holes  8  lift the flakes from the surface of sock  4 . Once the flakes are lifted from sock  4 , they are projected away from the apparatus by means of airflow produced by carrier fan  6 . When the force of air contacts the flakes produced carrier fan  6  there are two physical phenomena that occur. First the flakes are broken into smaller particles. This is a novel part of the current invention. The other commercially available machines have a great tendency to produce larger agglomerates, which in turn lead to excessive moisture buildup in the surrounding area. Second, once the flakes are separated into smaller particles, they are more easily dispersed in the area away from the machine. Once they are in the air in this matter the overall ratio of surface area exposed to air greatly increases. With this increased surface are comes a greater ability to speed the evaporative process. These two factors combine to speed the evaporative process and make it more complete. Another novelty of the current invention lies in the design of carrier fan  6  being lined up with flake generator  7  to lift the flakes and eject them from the apparatus in a manner that is greatly increased then a machine that would not contain both of these features placed together and at a proper distance from one another. This allows the flakes to remain in the air for a longer period of time and thus increases the transit time before they reach the ground. This increased time provides more exposure to air and allows for the completeness of evaporation to occur. The final result is an evaporative artificial snowfall that is truly free from residue of any type. Additionally, the snow produced does not resemble typical artificial snow that is ejected from a carrier hose or other apparatus. The current invention lifts the illusionary snow in a manner that produces a gentle cloud of snow in a wider horizontal area. The individualized flakes provide a cloud of gently falling flakes that is truly more realistic than anything currently available.  
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment the apparatus can be housed within a snowman  10 , which is shown in FIG. 3. The head of the snowman  20  can house a fabric sock  25 . There are orifices  120  that allow air produced by the flake generator to project the snow from said sock  25 . The rear of the snowman comprises a lower cover  15  on the base potion of the snowman. FIG. 4 shows the back view of snowman  10 . FIG. 5 is a side view of the subject invention. FIG. 6 shows middle section of the snowman in which flake generator  30  is housed. When the lower cover  15 , seen in FIG. 5, it exposes the elements shown in FIG. 6. There is sufficient space to place a container  40 , which holds the evaporative snow solution. Said elements include a pump  35 , which is placed into a container of solution  40 . Said pump is operated electronically by electrical cord  90  which provides power to the power supply  55  which tan sends power to said pump through a signal received at  55  which is controlled by an external on/off switch  110  which is controlled by the user. Transmission line  95  sends the power to said pump  35  which pumps the solution from container  40  through solution line  130 . FIG. 7 shows a side view of the elements as stated. FIG. 8 shows a cross section cut away of the elements of the subject invention. All elements numbered are as previously described. Solution line  60  extends into solution container  40  and is submerged in solution  65 . Weight  70  holds said line  60  in place on the bottom of container  40 . The solution is drawn by pump  35  through solution line  60 . The solution cap  80  connects solution line  60  with solution line  130 . Pump  35  draws the solution through lines  60  and  130 . An air line  85  is shown which connects to base the nozzle assembly. FIG. 9 is a close up of the nozzle assembly. The solution is delivered to the sock  25  through solution delivery line  105 . Air line  85  directs air, which is created by flake generator  30  and connects to the nozzle assembly has a base  120 , which connects to the head of the snowman  20 . Said flake generator can produce air volume of about 1000-3000 cubic feet per minute (CFM). Said base has a plurality of holes, which allows air to be directed on the outer surface of said sock  25 . The air lifts the snow, which is formed on sock  25 . The effect is a snowman that has a sock  25  for a nose, and, when in use, snow is projected outward from said sock.  
         [0019]    The preferred embodiment does not require the carrier fan. The air volume needed to project the snow away from the snowman is small enough that the air created by the impeller alone, without the carrier fan, will project the flakes away from the snowman. Additionally, because there is not a need for the same velocity of air when the invention is placed inside a snowman, or other themed housing, the pump can be adjusted to deliver solution at a rate in the range of 1-4 ounces/min.  
         [0020]    The method for producing an illusionary snowfall which employs an evaporative snow solution, is a method comprising the steps of:  
         [0021]    drawing said evaporative snow solution into an apparatus through a hose, which is connected to a pump, directing said solution from said pump to a flake generator, which forms flakes on the outer surface of a sock, said flake generator comprises an impeller which disperses evaporative snowfall away from the apparatus.  
         [0022]    The machine described is embodied in a snowman. The functional parts can be formed into any desired figure. The invention can be used inside an apparatus in the shapes which include but are not limited to: Christmas Tree, Snowflake, Raindear, Santa Claus, or any other holiday or winter themed figures.  
         [0023]    While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.