FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for making snow structures. In particular, however not exclusively, the invention pertains to systems and methods for making snow structures utilizing molds.

BACKGROUND

The use of snow structures for different purposes, such as snow buildings, has increased in recent years. For example, snow structures may be used for different amusement purposes such as temporary restaurants, hotels and other tourist attraction. Today, the process of making snow structures is quite a laborious and cumbersome process. The process requires a lot of manual work. Snow blowers may be utilized to collect snow into piles. Snow cannons that are commonly used in ski slopes may be used to produce snow from water and air. The snow cannons may also be used to pile up the snow.

Snow cannons and snow blowers in general share the same drawbacks. The snow is blown over a wider surface and hence, the collection of snow is inefficient. With these snow collection means, the snow is not gathered where it is needed for making the snow structures. Therefore, the process of making snow structures today requires a lot of manpower as well. People with shovels and other manual equipment finalize the structures by moving and packing the snow that is blown into the pile. Snow molds are also utilized for making snow structures. However, same problems are faced when using snow molds. The filling up of the molds is inefficient. A lot of snow that is blown with snow blowers and snow cannons misses the snow mold targets and thereby a lot of snow is wasted in the filling up process. A snow mold may require up to 30 cubic meters of snow. With methods used to- day, approximately one cubic meter of snow is supplied into the molds per minute. Therefore, the process of filling a snow mold is time consuming, not to mention making a whole snow structure from several molds. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective is to at least alleviate the problems described hereinabove not satisfactorily solved by the known arrangements, and to provide a feasible system and method for making snow structures. One objective is to reduce the manual work related to making snow structures, and increase the automation of making snow structures. Another objective is to make the process of making snow structures more efficient and speed up the process of filling snow molds. The aforesaid objective is achieved by the embodiments of a system and method in accordance with the present invention.

The aforesaid objective(s) are achieved according to the present invention as claimed in claim 1.

The aforesaid objective(s) are achieved according to the present invention as claimed in claim 12.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention a system for making snow structures comprises

-a snow mold for molding a snow structure,

-a snow blower for blowing snow in to the snow mold,

-a duct for guiding the snow from the snow blower in to the snow mold, and

-an air blower connected to the duct such that the blowing air assists guiding the snow in to the snow mold.

In one embodiment the system comprises a vehicle with a platform/container for collecting snow in an intermediate storage in front of the snow blower.

In another, either supplementary or alternative, embodiment the vehicle compris- es a chain floor conveyor for conveying the snow to the snow blower. In one embodiment, the vehicle comprises additionally a beater for supplying the snow to the snow blower. In some embodiments, the chain floor conveyor may convey the snow to the beater, and the beater supplies the snow to the snow blower. In a further, either supplementary or alternative, embodiment the duct is arranged to a hydraulic arm such that the duct is controllable. In some embodiments, the control of the duct is automated, for example, with sensors. In other embodi- ments, the duct is controlled manually. The hydraulic arm may, for example, be connected to control means, which are controlled by a user/operator.

In a further, either supplementary or alternative, embodiment the snow mold comprises supporting means for supporting the duct. The supporting means may be arranged to the upper section of the mold for supporting the duct.

In a further, either supplementary or alternative, embodiment the surface of the duct, the snow mold and/or the platform of the vehicle is made of material that snow does not easily adhere to. The surfaces may alternatively be coated with such material.

In a further, either supplementary or alternative, embodiment the snow mold comprises means for moving the snow mold, such as a number of wheels, skis and/or crawling tracks. In some embodiments the means for moving the snow mold comprises driving means, such as hydraulics, electric engines or combustion engines, such that the snow mold is self-driving. In some embodiments the same driving means are arranged to drive the means for moving the snow mold, and to drive the snow blower. In a further, either supplementary or alternative, embodiment the snow mold comprises a number of cameras and/or sensors for monitoring the filling of the snow mold. The sensors and/or cameras may be connected to a display from which a user may monitor the filling process. In some embodiments, the sensors and/or cameras may be connected to the hydraulic arm for allowing the automat- ed control of the hydraulic arm and the duct.

In a further, either supplementary or alternative, embodiment the snow mold comprises vibrators for removing the snow mold from the snow. Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, the snow mold comprises heating elements for heating the inner surfaces of the snow mold for removing the snow mold from the snow and/or for creating a surface of ice on the snow In a further, either supplementary or alternative, embodiment a planer is arranged in the upper part of the mold for leveling the snow surface. The planer may be fixed transversely across the snow mold with regards to the moving direction such that the planer levels the snow surface when the snow mold is moved for- wards. The planer may extend between the side walls near the upper edge of the snow mold.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for making snow structures comprises at least the steps

-collecting snow,

-supplying snow,

-blowing snow,

-blowing air, and

-molding snow.

In one embodiment an additive is added to the snow for making the snow more compact. The utility of the present invention follows from a plurality of factors depending on each particular embodiment. Some embodiments of the present invention may ease the process of making snow structures. Some embodiments may speed up the process, as well. The filling of snow molds may become more efficient when snow is guided in to the molds so that no snow is going wasted. Some embodi- ments of the present invention may reduce the manual work that is needed for building snow structures today. Thereby, some embodiments may reduce the need of manpower for making snow structures. In some embodiments of the present invention only one operator may be needed for the process of making snow structures. Some embodiments of the present invention increase the automation of the process of making snow structures.

The expression "a number of refers herein to any positive integer starting from one (1), e.g. to one, two, or three. The expression "a plurality of refers herein to any positive integer starting from two (2), e.g. to two, three, or four. Different embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED DRAWINGS

Next the invention is described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings in which Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle platform and a chain floor conveyor in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates an inside view of an embodiment of a snow mold comprising cameras and/or sensors in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a snow blower in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a beater for supplying snow to the snow blower, in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 6a and fig. 6b illustrates a top view of embodiments of two blade structures of the beater in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 illustrates a system 100 in accordance with the present invention. The system comprises a snow mold 102 for molding a snow structure. The snow mold is, for example, a wall mold, gallery mold, ball/sphere mold, excess pressure mold or a pillar mold. The height of a mold is preferably 0,20 m - 10 m, more preferably 0,40 m - 8 m and most preferably 0,40 m - 5 m. In some em- bodiments the mold may be shaped as a cone such that the lower end of the mold is wider that the upper end. For example, a mold with a height of 4 m may have a width of 1 , 1 m in the upper edge and a width of 1 ,6 m in the lower edge of the mold. The snow mold 102 comprises means 104 for moving the mold, such as a number of wheels, skis and/or crawler tracks. In some embodiments the means 104 for moving the mold comprises driving means, e.g. they are connected to motors or hydraulics. In some embodiments the means 104 are not driving, and the means only assists when the mold is pulled or pushed, for example.

The snow mold 102 may also comprise mechanical or hydraulic means for lowering and raising the snow mold. The snow mold may be lowered when the snow mold is stationed for filling up with snow, and the snow mold may be raised when the mold is moved forward. In some embodiments, the snow mold may be set to have a continuous, preferably steady, movement forward such that the snow mold is continuously filled, and the snow mold is continuously molding a snow structure while it is moving forwards.

The system 100 comprises a snow blower 106 for blowing snow 107 in to the snow mold 102. The snow blower 106 may be driven by hydraulics, an electric motor or a combustion engine, for example. A duct 108 is connected to the snow blower 106 for guiding the snow from the snow blower 106 in to the snow mold 102. The duct 108 is arranged to a hydraulic arm 1 10. The hydraulic arm 1 10 comprises three beams 1 1 1a, 1 1 1b, 1 1 1c which are connected to each other with joints. The hydraulic arm 1 10 comprises two cylinders 1 12a, 1 12b for moving the beams 1 1 lb, 1 1 1c. Beam 1 1 la is rigidly mounted to the snow blower 106. In some embodiments beam 1 1 1a may be mounted with a joint to the snow blower and there may be additional cylinders for moving beam 1 1 la as well.

The arm 1 10 may be used to control the filling of the mold 102. The arm 1 10 may first, for example, be steered inside the mold towards the lower sections, and as the mold fills up, the arm may be raised and snow may be guided towards the upper sections. In some embodiments the arm 1 10 is automated such that the duct 108 is controlled and the snow mold is filled automatically. In some embodiments the arm is connected to control means 1 13 for a user/operator 1 14 to con- trol the arm 1 10. The snow mold may also comprise cameras and/or sensors for monitoring the filling of the snow mold. The user/operator 1 14 may monitor the filling from a display 1 16 in the cabin 1 18. The cameras and/or sensors in the snow mold 102 may be connected to the arm 1 10 for allowing the automated control of the arm, and an automated filling of the mold.

An air blower 120 is connected to the duct 108 such that the blowing air assists guiding the snow in to the snow mold 102.

The system 100 comprises a vehicle 121 with a platform 122 for snow collection. Snow may be collected to the platform with a wheel loader, for example. In some embodiments piping systems may be used to guide snow to the platform 122. The snow 107 may be collected to an intermediate storage on the platform 122 such that the snow is supplied from the platform to the snow blower 106 and further in to the mold 102. The platform 122 comprises a chain floor conveyor (figure 3) for conveying snow 107 to the beater 124. The beater 124 may then supply the snow 107 to the snow blower 106.

In system 100, the snow blower 106, duct 108 and hydraulic arm 1 10 are attached to the vehicle 121. In some embodiments, the vehicle 121 may be driven close to the snow mold 102 so that the vehicle is moving next to the snow mold 102. In some embodiments, as in system 100, the vehicle 121 may be detachably attached to the snow mold 102, with a chain 126 or other locking means, for example. In some embodiments, the attachment between the vehicle 121 and the snow mold 102 may be a more fixed solution, such as welding, for example. In some embodiments, the vehicle 121 may be driven further away from the snow mold 102, and the duct 108 is made longer.

An additive may be mixed to the snow for making the snow more compact. The additive may be, for example, water or some other additive. In one embodiment, the additive may be added to the snow during the snow blower 106 phase. In another embodiment, the additive may be mixed to the snow when the snow is sup- plied in to the snow mold 102. For example, the snow may be guided through one duct and the additive may be guided through another duct, and the two are mixed when they are supplied in to the snow mold 102.

The snow mold 102 may comprise a number of vibrators for removing the mold from the snow. The vibrators may be eccentric vibrators arranged in the side walls of the snow mold, for example. Additionally or alternatively, the snow mold may comprise heaters for heating the inner surfaces for removing the snow mold from the snow and/or for creating a surface of ice on the snow. Electric re- sistance heating elements may be used to heat the inner surfaces of the snow mold. The heating of the inner surfaces may create a thin water layer on the snow which helps removing the snow mold from the snow, and the water layer may later turn in to ice.

The arrow 127 illustrates the preferable moving direction. The cabin 1 18 may be arranged such that the operator 1 14 is faced backwards such that he/she may monitor the filling process. In some embodiments, the cabin may comprise a seating such that the operator 1 14 may rotate 180 degrees when necessary, for example.

Figure 2 illustrates another embodiment of a system 200 in accordance with the present invention. The system 200 comprises a snow mold 102a, a snow blower 106a, a duct 108a and an air blower 120a. The snow blower 106a is attached to the snow mold 102a. The duct 108a is arranged to the snow blower 106a such that the duct guides snow in to the snow mold 102a. The air blower 120a is connected to the duct 108a such that blowing air assists guiding snow in to the snow mold 102a. First and second supporting means 228a, 228b are arranged near the upper edge of the snow mold 102a for supporting the duct 108a. The first supporting means 228a may be rigid beams extending from the front wall of the snow mold, and the second supporting means 228b may be rigid beams extending from the side walls of the mold, for example.

The snow mold 102a comprises a frame 230. The frame 230 may be a metallic, or other rigid structure, within the side walls of the snow mold. The means 104a for moving the mold may be mounted to the frame 230. The means 104a for moving the snow mold 102a are driving crawler tracks. The crawler tracks may be arranged to move the mold continuously forward.

A vehicle 121, as illustrated in figure 1, comprising a platform 122 for intermediate storage of snow and a beater 124 may be used with the system 200. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be driven close to the snow blower 106a. In some embodiments the vehicle may be attached to the snow blower 106a.

Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle platform 122 with a chain floor conveyor 332. The chain floor conveyor comprises a number of chains 332 and a number of transverse ribs 336 that convey the snow to the beater. The chains and ribs may be metal, plastic or other durable material. The platform 122 comprises side walls 338a, 338b and a back wall 340 so that the snow stays on the platform 122 when snow is piled on to the platform.

Figure 4 illustrates an inside view of an embodiment of a snow mold 102 in accordance with the present invention. The snow mold 102 comprises side walls 442a, 442b and a front wall 444. Cameras and/or sensors 446a, 446b are arranged near the upper edge of the snow mold 102, preferably in the corners of the side walls and the front wall, for monitoring the filling of the snow mold.

Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of a snow blower 106 in accordance with the present invention. The snow blower 106 comprises one axle 545 with a number of spiral blades 546 for working the snow. The spiral blades may be formed such that the blades work/rotate the snow from the sides towards the center of the snow blower. The snow blower comprises a cover 548 for guiding the snow. The back wall of the snow blower comprises an opening 550 where the snow is guided. Rotating blades 552 within the opening guides the snow further. In some embodiments, the snow blower may comprise a plurality of axles with spiral blades. For example, a snow blower may comprise two, three or four axles for blowing snow.

Figure 6 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a beater 124 in accordance with the present invention. The beater 124 comprises two, in relation to the vehi- cle horizontal transverse axles 654a, 654b and a number of rotating blades 656a, 656b attached to the axles. The blades 656a, 656b form a spiral around the axles. In some embodiments, the beater may have more than two axles. In some embodiments, there may only be one axle of blades. In some embodiments, the axles may be vertical in relation to the vehicle. Figure 6a and 6b illustrates top views of two alternative embodiments of rotating blades 656c, 656d of a beater in accordance with the present invention. The rotating blades 656c, 656d may form a spiral around the axles 654c, 654d, or the rotating blades may be in parallel along the width of the axles, for example. The rotating blades 656c form a star structure, whereas rotating blades 656d resemble a propeller blade structure.

Figure 7 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method 700 in accordance with the present invention. At method start-up 702, preparatory actions may take place. For example, a system in accordance with the present invention may be assembled and set up and running. At 704, snow is collected. The step may comprise collecting snow in an intermediate storage on a vehicle platform. The step may comprise moving snow with a wheel loader to the vehicle platform, or guiding snow with piping to the vehicle platform, for example. At 706, snow is supplied to a snow blower. The step may comprise conveying snow with a chain floor conveyor, additionally through a beater, to the snow blower, for example.

At 708, snow is blown with a snow blower. The snow blower may blow the snow further in to a duct that is attached to the snow blower. The step may comprise that snow blower blades work on the snow and supplies it further in to the duct.

At 710, air is blown into a duct for guiding snow into a snow mold. This step may comprise that an air blower blows air into the duct such that the air assists in guiding the snow into the snow mold.

At 712, an additive is added to the snow. This step may, for example, comprise that water or some other additive is mixed with the snow. In some embodiments, the additive is mixed when the snow is supplied in to the mold. In another em- bodiment, the additive is mixed when the snow is being worked by the snow blower, i.e. during step 708.

At 714, snow is molded to a snow structure. The step may comprise supplying snow in to a snow mold which molds the snow to a snow structure. In some em- bodiments snow is supplied in a mold by blowing snow near the walls so that the snow becomes compact. In some embodiments the snow mold may be moving steadily forward, and the mold may be continuously forming a snow structure while moving forward. At 716, the method execution is ended.

Consequently, a skilled person may on the basis of this disclosure and general knowledge apply the provided teachings in order to implement the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims in each particular use case with necessary modifications, deletions, and additions.