Patent Description:
In particular, the invention relates to a snow cabin comprising a snow-making device and a distribution device for the formation of snow directly inside the cabin.

The invention further relates to a method to realize an artificial snow fall.

Currently, within the context of indoor snow, it is known to use special snow-making systems for realizing artificial snowfall in a closed environment or in a specific limited area of interest.

Such snow-making systems can be used in environments with a large surface area for the preparation and fitting out of downhill slopes for skiers and snowboarders, or in rooms with more contained dimensions for therapeutic purposes, such as snow cabins in wellness centres in which a typically winter climate is recreated to offer guests a shiver of revitalizing cold after sauna heat treatments.

In relation to the latter use, an example of the snow-making systems used is provided in document <CIT> filed in the name of the same Applicant.

Generally, traditional snow cabins are defined by a room inside which the snowfall is recreated artificially, generated by a relevant snow-making device arranged on the top of the room and generally comprising nozzles for the generation and throwing of artificial snow.

However, the snow-making systems present to date on the market must be activated with prior warning so as to be able to form a minimum accumulation of snow with which they can simulate the falling of snow flakes. In other words, at the time of their effective use by an operator, current snow-making systems must have already produced a minimum amount of snow accumulated on a support, so that a scraper device can be positioned in contact and perform scraping such as to produce the generation of snow flakes that are free to fall.

This implies larger energy consumptions for the activation of systems for longer than the effective use thereof.

Furthermore, such systems require the scraper device to comprise a complex and movable structure able to adapt its distance from the lot of snow accumulated in an optimal way for generating snow flakes.

Additionally, such systems sometimes envisage that the snowfall takes place starting from snow already compacted in the accumulation phase and that could be partially frozen (and therefore the particles that compose the snow fall are a set of "slivers" and not actually flakes). This leads to a drop in the quality of the snow that is generated below for the fall.

The documents <CIT> and <CIT> disclose respective systems to realize artificial snow fall.

In this context, the technical task underpinning the present invention is to propose a system for realizing an artificial snow fall, in particular for a snow cabin, which obviates the drawbacks of the prior art cited above.

In particular, an aim of the present invention is that of providing a system for realizing an artificial snow fall with higher quality with respect to the prior art.

Another aim of the present invention is that of providing a system for realizing an artificial snow fall in which the snow produced by the snow-making device is directly conveyed towards the distribution device, which is in turn configured to immediately perform the distribution for falling.

The stated technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by a system to realize an artificial snow fall which comprises the technical features disclosed in the independent claim. The dependent claims correspond to further advantageous aspects of the invention.

It should be highlighted that this summary introduces, in simplified form, a selection of concepts which will be further elaborated in the detailed description given below.

The invention relates to a system to realize an artificial snow fall, in particular for a snow cabin. The system comprises a snow-making device, which is configured to generate artificial snow, and a distribution device associated with the snow-making device and configured to directly collect the artificial snow generated for distributing it according to a substantially vertical falling direction in a snow fall area, at least mainly below the distribution device.

In particular, the distribution device comprises a perforated wall that extends at least along a longitudinal direction transversal to the falling direction and having a first snow collection surface and a second snow release surface, the latter opposite the first surface and at least partially facing towards the falling area.

The distribution device further comprises a movement member connected to the perforated wall and configured to move it according to a movement direction substantially transversal to the falling direction at least at a part of the perforated wall in which the snow crosses from the first to the second surface to realize the fall.

The invention further relates to a snow cabin comprising a plurality of side walls and a ceiling, which delimit a compartment that defines a room that can be crossed by a user, and a system for realizing an artificial snow fall described previously. In particular, the compartment is divided into an upper volume and a lower volume according to a snow fall direction. In particular, the snow-making device is arranged at least partially at the upper volume, while the distribution device divides the upper volume from the lower volume in which the snow fall area is comprised.

Finally, the invention also has a method for realizing an artificial snow fall, in particular inside a snow cabin, comprising the operating steps of:.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the approximate and thus non-limiting description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a system to realize an artificial snow fall, in particular for a snow cabin, as illustrated in the appended drawings, wherein:.

With reference to the <FIG>, they serve solely to illustrate embodiments of the invention with the aim of better clarifying, in combination with the description, the inventive principles at the basis of the invention.

<FIG> illustrate not claimed systems, different from the present invention.

The present invention relates to a system to realize an artificial snow fall, in particular for a snow cabin.

With reference to the figures, the system to realize an artificial snow fall has been generically indicated by the number <NUM>, while a snow cabin has been generically indicated by the number <NUM>.

The other numerical references refer to technical features of the invention which, barring indications otherwise or evident structural incompatibilities, the person skilled in the art will know how to apply to all the variant embodiments described.

Any modifications or variants which, in the light of the description, are evident to the person skilled in the art, must be considered to fall within the scope of protection established by the present invention, according to considerations of technical equivalence.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a snow cabin <NUM> in which a system <NUM> is installed for realizing an artificial snow fall.

The system <NUM> comprises a snow-making device <NUM> configured to generate artificial snow and comprising a ventilation member <NUM> configured to generate an air flow F, a cooling member <NUM> associated with the ventilation member <NUM> and configured to cool the air flow F to temperatures less than <NUM>, a nebulizer member <NUM> configured to dispense a nebulized jet of pressurized water into the flow of air F to trigger the formation of snow within such flow F, and a pipe <NUM> configured to convey the air flow F and the nebulized water jet G along an emission direction E.

In addition, the system <NUM> comprises a distribution device <NUM> associated with the snow-making device <NUM> and configured to collect directly the artificial snow generated and to distribute it in a falling area <NUM>, which is at least mainly below the distribution device <NUM>. In fact, the snow fall from the distribution device <NUM> preferably takes place by gravity according to a substantially vertical falling direction C.

The distribution device <NUM> comprises a wall <NUM> perforated by a plurality of through holes <NUM> (having, by way of example, a diameter of about <NUM>), which extends along a longitudinal direction L transversal to the falling direction C of the snow. Specifically, the perforated wall <NUM> has a first snow collection surface <NUM> and a second snow release surface <NUM>, the latter opposite the first surface <NUM> and facing at least partially towards the falling zone <NUM>. In other words, therefore, the plurality of holes <NUM> allows the passage of snow through the perforated wall <NUM> from the first surface <NUM> towards the second surface <NUM> and therefore towards the falling area <NUM>. The distribution device <NUM> further comprises a movement member (not illustrated) connected to the perforated wall <NUM> on which the snow is directly deposited. The movement member is configured to move the perforated wall <NUM> according to a movement direction M substantially transversal to the falling direction C at least at a first part of the perforated wall <NUM> in which the snow crosses from the first surface <NUM> to the second surface <NUM> to realize the fall.

More precisely, the movement member is configured to make the perforated wall <NUM> perform a cyclic movement over time. Even more precisely, the movement member moves the perforated wall <NUM> according to a trajectory that cyclically passes through the same points, describing at regular time intervals the same movement path.

According to the invention illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, the perforated wall <NUM> is folded onto itself about an extension axis A thereof parallel to the longitudinal direction L, so as to form a laterally open cylindrical wall. In other words, the perforated wall <NUM> defines the side wall of a cylinder in which the circular sides which would define the base and top are missing (in the event in which the cylinder extends vertically). According to the invention, the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> define, respectively, an inner cylindrical surface and an outer cylindrical surface.

According to an aspect of the invention, the snow-making device <NUM> is configured to generate artificial snow directly inside a collection volume defined and delimited by the perforated wall <NUM> folded onto itself about the extension axis A.

Preferably the extension axis A is substantially horizontal. Even more preferably, the extension axis A extends parallel and consecutive to the emission direction E, as better illustrated below.

According to an aspect of the invention, the movement member is configured to place in rotation the perforated wall <NUM> about the extension axis A.

<FIG>, <FIG> illustrate a not claimed system, different from the present invention, wherein the perforated wall <NUM> has a planar surface extension, preferably parallel to the ground.

Preferably, the movement direction M is parallel to the surface extension of the perforated wall. Even more preferably, the movement direction is transverse to the longitudinal extension direction L of the perforated wall <NUM>. According to an aspect of the invention visible in <FIG>, the system <NUM> comprises a spatula element <NUM> associated with the first surface <NUM> to assist with the distribution of the snow collected through the perforated wall <NUM> for realizing the fall towards the falling area <NUM>.

According to another aspect of the invention, the spatula element <NUM> is constrained to a support structure of the system <NUM> with respect to which the perforated wall <NUM> moves.

In other words, regardless of whether the perforated wall <NUM> has a planar or cylindrical conformation, the spatula element <NUM> is arranged in contact with the first surface <NUM> in a fixed position so that the induced movement on the perforated wall <NUM> determines the distribution of snow deposited through the plurality of holes <NUM> and therefore of the fall towards the falling area <NUM>. According to an aspect of the invention, the spatula element <NUM> comprises a slat <NUM> having a scraping edge <NUM> that extends in contact with the first surface <NUM> of the perforated wall <NUM> to assist the distribution of the snow collected through the plurality of holes <NUM>.

Preferably, the slat <NUM> is inclined with respect to an orthogonal plane to a tangent plane to the contact point between the slat <NUM> and the perforated wall <NUM>. More precisely, the slat <NUM> is inclined with respect to a vertical direction, as can be seen better in <FIG>.

Alternatively, the slat <NUM> is configured to slightly vary its inclination (by a variable angle between <NUM>° and <NUM>°) with respect to its own balance position for adapting to the movement of the perforated wall <NUM> actuated by the movement member.

According to an aspect of the invention, each hole <NUM> of the perforated wall <NUM> has a raised projecting edge with respect to the first surface <NUM> to increase the scraping effect of the perforated wall <NUM> on the snow accumulated on the same first surface <NUM> during the movement performed by the movement member. In this way, during the movement of the perforated wall <NUM>, the snow collected on the first surface <NUM> is more easily broken up and moved to be conveyed through the holes and then distributed towards the falling zone <NUM>.

Preferably, the plurality of holes <NUM> is equally distributed on the surface extension of the perforated wall <NUM> so that the distribution of the snow from the first surface <NUM> to the second surface <NUM> takes place in the most uniform way possible. For example, the perforated wall <NUM> can comprise a net or a thin sheet (with a thickness of about <NUM>) and uniformly riddled with holes along its surface extension and can be made of a metal or plastic material.

According to an aspect of the invention illustrated in <FIG>, the system <NUM> comprises at least one brush <NUM> arranged in contact with the first surface <NUM> or the second surface <NUM> of the perforated wall <NUM>. Preferably, the brush <NUM> is arranged in a position distanced from the perforated wall <NUM> in which the snow crosses from the first surface <NUM> to the second surface <NUM> for falling. In fact, given the low temperatures during which the system <NUM> is usually operated, it is possible for the snow to get packed inside a hole obstructing it and therefore not allowing the passage of any more snow towards the falling area <NUM>. Advantageously, the use of at least one brush <NUM> allows the perforated wall <NUM> to be cleaned during the same movement of the latter actuated by the movement member.

Preferably, the brush <NUM> is constrained to a support structure of the system <NUM> with respect to which the perforated wall <NUM> moves. In other words, therefore, the brush is maintained in a fixed position thereof during the movement of the perforated wall <NUM> so that it is the movement of the latter that induces the rubbing action of the brush <NUM> on the first surface <NUM> or on the second surface <NUM> for determining the cleaning of the plurality of holes <NUM> from the blocking of frozen snow.

According to another aspect of the invention, the brush <NUM> comprises a support rod <NUM> and bristles <NUM> connected to the support rod <NUM>. In detail, the support rod <NUM>, which is constrained to the support structure, extends parallel to the longitudinal direction L and to the perforated wall <NUM>.

Preferably, the bristles <NUM> are rotatably connected about the support rod <NUM> in contact with the first surface <NUM> of the perforated wall <NUM>.

According to an aspect of the invention, the system <NUM> comprises two brushes <NUM>, each arranged in contact with a respective surface <NUM>, <NUM> of the perforated wall <NUM> for performing the cleaning of the same perforated wall <NUM> during the movement actuated by the movement member.

According to another aspect of the invention, the two brushes <NUM> are arranged on opposite sides with respect to an orthogonal plane to the perforated wall <NUM>. More precisely, as can be seen in <FIG>, in the case in which there are two brushes <NUM> arranged in contact with a respective surface different from the other, they are not arranged facing each other considering the perforated wall <NUM> as a dividing plane. Therefore, more precisely, between the brushes <NUM> an orthogonal plane to the perforated wall <NUM> is interposed. Advantageously, the brushes <NUM> thus arranged act consecutively on a same portion of the perforated wall <NUM> to perform improved cleaning and removal of the plurality of holes <NUM>. More precisely, the brushes <NUM> act on the same plurality of through holes <NUM>, but each on a different surface. Furthermore, the brushes <NUM>, being constrained to the support structure of the system <NUM>, are not movable, but act consecutively on one another as a consequence of the movement of the perforated wall <NUM> along a specific orientation of the movement direction M.

According to an alternative aspect of the invention not illustrated, the brushes <NUM> are arranged aligned but opposite with respect to the perforated wall <NUM>.

A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, envisages that the system described above is installed in a snow cabin <NUM>, for generating inside the latter a snow fall such as to recreate the typically winter climate and thus offer the user a shiver of revitalizing cold after heat treatments such as, for example, a sauna.

The snow cabin <NUM> comprises a plurality of side walls <NUM> and a ceiling <NUM> delimited by a compartment <NUM>, that defines a room that can be crossed by a user. The compartment <NUM> of the room, according to a falling direction C, is divided between an upper volume W and a lower volume V.

In particular, the snow-making device <NUM> is arranged at least partially at the upper volume W and the distribution device <NUM> divides the upper volume W from the lower volume V in which the snow fall area <NUM> is comprised.

More precisely, the pipe <NUM> of the snow-making device <NUM> extends between an inlet opening <NUM> thereof and an outlet opening <NUM> thereof arranged in flow communication with the compartment <NUM>, and specifically with the upper volume W of the compartment <NUM>.

The inlet opening <NUM> of the pipe <NUM> is, instead, arranged in flow communication with the lower volume V of the compartment <NUM> for sucking the air inside the room and conveying it towards the outlet opening <NUM>. The moisture of the air in the lower volume V of the room tends to increase because of the melting of the snow and the presence of any users. Therefore, advantageously, the pipe is able to collect such moist air and convey it through the cooling member <NUM> to reduce the temperature thereof again before re-introducing it into the upper volume W with the water jet G added, useful for the formation of snow.

According to an aspect of the invention visible in <FIG>, the system <NUM> comprises a siphon <NUM> interposed along the pipe <NUM> in proximity to the inlet opening <NUM> to block the channelling along the pipe <NUM> of any amount of snow sucked by the compartment <NUM>.

According to another aspect of the invention, along the pipe <NUM>, downstream of the siphon <NUM>, the ventilation member <NUM>, the cooling member <NUM> and the nebulizing member <NUM> are arranged.

The ventilation member <NUM>, generally an impeller or a turbine, is configured to generate the air flow F sucked by the inlet opening <NUM> and conveyed towards the outlet opening <NUM>. The air flow F is conveyed through the cooling member <NUM> and the nebulizing member <NUM>.

The cooling member <NUM>, preferably a heat exchanger, is configured to lower the air temperature to values less than <NUM>, preferably less than - <NUM>.

The nebulizing member <NUM> is preferably arranged at the outlet opening <NUM>.

More precisely, the nebulizing member <NUM> comprises a nucleator element, preferably a nozzle, configured to emit along the emission direction E a water jet G combined with compressed air. The emission with volumetric expansion of the compressed air and water jet G causes rapid lowering of the temperature of the water particles, which freeze immediately being conveyed into the air flow F at a temperature less than <NUM>. Advantageously, the snow or sleet formed is conveyed towards the distribution device <NUM> to be collected and distributed into the compartment <NUM>.

According to an aspect of the invention, the movement member comprises an electric transmission motor configured to move the perforated wall <NUM> along the movement direction M. The perforated wall <NUM> being a cylindrical wall, the rotation frequency imposed is generally, by way of example, about <NUM> rpm.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the system <NUM> comprises a pair of idle support rollers (not illustrated), which are arranged in contact with the second surface <NUM> of the perforated wall <NUM>. Preferably, the support rollers extend along a respective axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal direction L. In particular, the rollers are configured to rotate in an idle way about the respective axis of rotation during the movement of the perforated wall <NUM> actuated by the movement member. In other words, the rollers support the perforated wall <NUM> and, because of the movement of the latter, they are also able to rotate to reduce friction with the second surface <NUM>.

According to an aspect of the invention, the rollers are arranged parallel to one another at a shorter distance than a diameter of the cylindrical wall <NUM>. Preferably and by way of example, according to this embodiment, the perforated wall <NUM> has a diameter of about <NUM>. The rollers, being positioned in contact with the second surface <NUM> at a distance less than <NUM> (and therefore being positioned below the perforated wall <NUM>), are able to support the perforated wall <NUM> and allow the movement thereof thanks to their idle rotation.

Merely by way of example, the perforated wall <NUM> has a variable longitudinal extension between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Advantageously, the system <NUM> comprises support flanges (not illustrated) configured to strengthen the structure of the perforated wall <NUM>. The support flanges are connected to the second surface <NUM> and extend transversally to the longitudinal direction L for at least part of the transversal extension of the perforated wall <NUM>, with a curved progression.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the perforated wall <NUM> may have a greater longitudinal extension than the values previously introduced. In that case, the system <NUM> envisages providing two snow-making devices <NUM> opposite each other and associated with the same distribution device <NUM> interposed between each other. In this way each snow-making device <NUM> is configured to produce snow to be distributed across about half of the perforated wall <NUM>.

With regard to an operating example of the system <NUM> to realize an artificial snow fall, it derives directly from what is described above and which is referred to below.

After preparing the system <NUM> previously described, the snow-making device <NUM> is activated to generate artificial snow to be conveyed towards the distribution device <NUM> for subsequently performing the distribution in a predefined area such as, for example, inside a snow cabin <NUM>.

Therefore, more precisely, inside the pipe <NUM> the ventilation member <NUM> generates an air flow F that is subsequently cooled by the cooling member <NUM> and a pressurized water jet G is added through the nebulizing member <NUM>. The emission of the water jet G into the air flow F having a temperature less than <NUM> produces artificial snow pushed along the emission direction E towards the distribution device <NUM>.

The perforated wall <NUM> of the distribution device <NUM> directly collects the artificial snow produced on the first surface <NUM> thereof.

The activation of the distribution device <NUM> implies the movement thereof along a circular movement direction M to shift the deposited snow, preventing it from solidifying and allowing it to pass along the falling direction C through a plurality of holes <NUM> from the first surface <NUM> towards the second surface <NUM> and therefore into the falling area <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) to realize an artificial snow fall, in particular for a snow cabin, comprising:
- a snow-making device (<NUM>) configured to generate artificial snow;
- a distribution device (<NUM>) associated with said snow-making device (<NUM>) and configured to directly collect the artificial snow generated and to distribute the snow in a snow falling area (<NUM>), at least mainly below the distribution device, according to a substantially vertical falling direction (C), characterized in that said distribution device (<NUM>) comprises:
- a perforated wall (<NUM>) extending at least along a longitudinal direction (L) transversal to said falling direction (C); said perforated wall (<NUM>) having a first snow collection surface (<NUM>) and a second snow release surface (<NUM>) opposite said first surface (<NUM>) and at least partially facing towards said falling area;
- the snow-making device (<NUM>) being configured to generate artificial snow directly on the first surface (<NUM>) of said perforated wall (<NUM>);
- a movement member connected to said perforated wall (<NUM>) onto which the snow is directly deposited and configured to move said perforated wall (<NUM>) according to a movement direction (M) substantially transversal to said falling direction (C) at least at a first part of the perforated wall (<NUM>) in which the snow crosses from the first surface (<NUM>) to the second surface (<NUM>) to realize the fall,
characterized in that
said perforated wall is folded onto itself about an extension axis (A) parallel to said longitudinal direction (L) so as to form a cylindrical wall; said first surface and said second surface respectively defining a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface.