Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein a space in said liquid receiving chamber is provided above the inlet pipe thereto, to facilitate the collection of any carbon dioxide gas bubbles atop the liquid in said chamber which may become entrained in the inlet means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
the inner wall defining a central snow-forming chamber which is completely surrounded by said uninterrupted receiving chamber;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
an outlet conduit connecting an outlet pipe adjacent the bottom end of said annular uninterrupted receiving chamber with said valve atop said horn; d. an expansion nozzle having;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
a closed end opposite the open enD, said closed end projecting into an upper portion of said snow-forming chamber; and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
minute, restrictive orifices provided in said closed end of the nozzle and through which the pressurized liquid carbon dioxide is permitted to rapidly expand under conditions of a much lower, generally atmospheric pressure, to partially solidify into carbon dioxide snow flakes or particles, and to partially revert to a gaseous form; and e. said nozzle being disposed relative to said chamber to facilitate impinging engagement of said snow particles and revert gas against the side wall of the chamber to subcool said liquefied carbon dioxide receiving chamber and liquid therein to the extent that any carbon dioxide gas formed therein is recondensed back into liquid form.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
means closing the upper end of at least the liquid receiving chamber, and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a valve interposed in the conduiting between the outlet pipe of said liquid receiving chamber and said nozzle, said valve including means to facilitate selective operation to effect forming of the snow as required.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said nozzle includes a body having a central passage connected with said valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
means closing only the lower end space between said side walls and leaving said snow-forming chamber open at said lower end thereof and from which the carbon dioxide snow as formed therein is directed; b. a fluid dispensing valve disposed atop said snow-forming horn and means for actuating said valve; c. conduit means connecting the supply of liquid carbon dioxide to the snow horn, including:
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said nozzle includes a body having a central passageway connected with said valve, and further including a plurality of minute orifices formed to generally tangentially expel the carbon dioxide snow particles against the snow forming chamber to impart a vortex-like motion to same.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said valve is of an automated character with means for remote operation thereof, activated by demand or lack of demand for the carbon dioxide snow.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said valve is a solenoid actuated valve, and including electrical circuit means interconnecting same with a suitable electrical power source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said horn together with said inlet and outlet means are provided with sufficient insulation to preclude undue warming of said liquid carbon dioxide and the attendant formation of gas bubbles which would detrimentally affect the operation of the apparatus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said nozzle includes a body portion having a central passageway connected at one end with said conduit means of paragraph (e) and a plurality of minute expansion orifices formed in an opposite and otherwise closed end of said body portion, and through which orifices the pressurized liquid carbon dioxide is permitted to quickly depressurize and expand thereby forming the very cold carbon dioxide snow or particles.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the central passageway of the nozzle is vertically disposed generally coaxially with said snow-forming chamber, and said orifices are disposed generally radially to the central axis thereof and generally tangentially with respect to said central passageway, whereupon impingement of the formed snow particles against the liquid receiving chamber imparts a vortex-like action to the said snow particles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein at least one of the orifices is disposed to expel some carbon dioxide snow in a downwardly and generally axial direction of the snow horn.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus for producing carbon dioxide snow substantially instantaneously upon demand from a supply of liquefied carbon dioxide stored under predetermined very low temperature and high pressure conditions, said apparatus comprising in combination: a. a normally vertically disposed, rigid, snow-forming horn having: