Patent US4200228A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4200228A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Snow making
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-09-18
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Granted: 1980-04-29
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Expires: 1998-09-18
Abstract
Abstract Snow making in which ice nucleating microorganisms are incorporated into the water to initiate crystallization when the water is introduced as fine droplets into the atmosphere which is at a temperature below freezing.
Inventors
- 👤 Marvin D. Woerpel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:49
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25C; F25C3/00; F25C3/04; F25C2303/00; F25C2303/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A method for snow making comprising incorporating ice nucleating microorganisms in water, introducing the water as fine droplets into the atmosphere at a temperature below freezing whereby the ice nucleating microorganisms initiate crystal formation to form snow.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
37 words
A method for snow making comprising incorporating ice nucleating microorganisms in water, introducing the water as fine droplets into the atmosphere at a temperature below freezing whereby the ice nucleating microorganisms initiate crystal formation to form snow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 in which at least some of the droplets that are formed contain ice nucleating microorganisms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the ice nucleating microorganisms are selected of ice nucleating bacteria.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the ice nucleating microorganisms are present in the water in an amount within the range of 1×10 5 -1×10 13 cells/gallon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the water is introduced into the atmosphere as droplets having an average diameter within the range of 150-500μ.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 in which the water containing the nucleating microorganisms is sprayed into the atmosphere.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 6 in which the atmosphere is at a temperature within the range of 18°-32° F.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-29 | 1983-10-29 | 1984-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-29 | 1987-10-29 | 1988-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-29 | 1991-10-29 | 1992-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |