Abstract: Apparatus (10) for converting liquid (60) in a container (50) to a semi-frozen slurry (61) or frozen ice particles, where a refrigerant (41) is contained within a refrigerant cavity (40) defined by two walls (20, 30), the flexing/deformation of at least one of the walls (20, 30) agitating the liquid (60) to assist the conversion thereof into the semi-frozen slurry (61) or ice particles.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for making snow or a snow-like substance includes a container (12) having a cooling space (13) adapted to contain pressurized air or gas of above atmospheric pressure. At least one flexible walled vessel (14) extends through the cooling space (13) and is connectable to a water source. The apparatus (10) is operable to maintain the cooling space at a sufficiently low temperature to at least partially freeze the water within the flexible walled vessel (14). As a preferred feature of the snow making apparatus, the apparatus may be adapted to maintain a static pressure within the cooling space of the container (12) and to periodically and temporarily increase the pressure within the cooling space to compress the flexible walled vessel (14). Invention also resides in an apparatus (10) for making snow or a snow-like substance, the apparatus including at least one flexible walled vessel (14) connectable to a water source.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for converting liquid (60) in a container (50) to a semi-frozen slurry (61) or frozen ice particles, where a refrigerant (41) is contained within a refrigerant cavity (40) defined by two walls (20, 30), the flexing/deformation of at least one of the walls (20, 30) agitating the liquid (60) to assist the conversion thereof into the semi-frozen slurry (61) or ice particles.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for making snow or a snow-like substance includes a container (12) having a cooling space (13) adapted to contain pressurized air or gas of above atmospheric pressure. At least one flexible walled vessel (14) extends through the cooling space (13) and is connectable to a water source. The apparatus (10) is operable to maintain the cooling space at a sufficiently low temperature to at least partially freeze the water within the flexible walled vessel (14). As a preferred feature of the snow making apparatus, the apparatus may be adapted to maintain a static pressure within the cooling space of the container (12) and to periodically and temporarily increase the pressure within the cooling space to compress the flexible walled vessel (14). Invention also resides in an apparatus (10) for making snow or a snow-like substance, the apparatus including at least one flexible walled vessel (14) connectable to a water source.

Abstract: A snow making method and apparatus wherein water (3) in flexible hoses (2), within a cooling medium (1) is converted to snow and/or ice crystals. The hoses (2) are cyclically inflated and deflated to cause the crystals to be dislodged from the inner wall surfaces of the hoses (2). When the hoses (2) are full of crystals, the crystals can be discharged by pumping or blowing.

Abstract: A snow making method where water and/or ice is mixed with a cryogenic material, such as carbon dioxide, in a mixing vessel and the mixture is mechanically agitated or mixed to convert the water and/or ice into snow. The cryogenic material may be recovered and return for return to the vessel.

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.

Abstract: A snow making method where water and/or ice is mixed with a cryogenic material, such as carbon dioxide, in a mixing vessel and the mixture is mechanically agitated or mixed to convert the water and/or ice into snow. The cryogenic material may be recovered and return for return to the vessel.

Abstract: A snow making method and apparatus wherein water (3) in flexible hoses (2), within a cooling medium (1) is converted to snow and/or ice crystals. The hoses (2) are cyclically inflated and deflated to cause the crystals to be dislodged from the inner wall surfaces of the hoses (2). When the hoses (2) are full of crystals, the crystals can be discharged by pumping or blowing.

Abstract: A slide for tobogganing or snow tubing has a mat, with a top layer (1) of felt-like material to hold water, and a bottom layer (2) of plastics material to protect the top layer (1) from dirt and leakage. Tubes (3) along the sides of the mat form banked side walls. A hose (4) with spaced outlets, sprays a compressed air/surfactant/water snow-like foam over the mat to produce a simulated snow surface (12).

Abstract: A snow making machine has at least one flexible hose assembly, with an inner hose connected to a water supply and an outer jacket to receive coolant from a chiller. Ice/snow formed in the inner hose is dislodged by inflating squasher hoses in the outer jacket, and pressurised air fed via a line can assist transport of the dry snow crystals to the end of the hose assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for making artificial snow includes a flexible pipe which encloses a plurality of longitudinal conduits receiving and holding water therein. The pipe is cooled by a coolant liquid so that ice crystals form in the water on the surfaces of the conduits. A frame member is provided, oriented transversely to the axis of the pipe, which is movable axially along the pipe. Rollers provided on the frame member dislodge the ice crystals from the surfaces of the conduits. A seeve member is provided to strain the dislodged ice crystals from the water. The ice crystals are then conveyed to a desired area.

Abstract: A method of making artificial snow by mixing water with a surfactant, the surfactant preferably forming 0.03% to 5% of the mixture by weight; aerating the mixture to form a foam of bubbles; and freezing the foam to form the snow crystals. The mixture is preferably aerated with air in the ratio water:air in the range 1:2 to 1:3 (v/v). The foam of bubbles is frozen by laying it over a refrigerated grid laid over the skiing slope and the foam is preferably laid and frozen in layers until the desired depth of snow is achieved.

Abstract: A method of making artificial snow by mixing water with a water swellable polymer, preferably polyacrylamid, to approximately 50%-70% of the maximum water retention capacity of the polymer, aerating the mixture and freezing the mixture to produce snow crystals. The snow crystals are laid on a refrigerated floor to form a skiing slope.