Patents Assigned to Discovery Zone, Inc.
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Patent number: 5546967Abstract: An apparatus for washing balls in a cleaning fluid includes a container for storing soiled balls, a cleaning unit for washing and rinsing the balls, and a clean ball hopper for storing washed balls. A soiled ball conveyor conveys the balls from the soiled ball hopper to the cleaning unit, while a pneumatic conveyor conveys clean balls from the cleaning unit to the clean ball hopper. A fluid supply system provides recirculated cleaning and rinsing fluids to the cleaning unit, and helps prevent the balls from becoming clogged in foam. The cleaning unit includes three vertical substantially transparent cylindrical housings. Upper and lower enclosures are opaque and remove from sight the top and bottom longitudinal axial ends of the cylindrical housings to provide an exciting visual effect as the balls are conveyed through the transparent elongated housings.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventors: Ralph Weimer, Duane R. Acker
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Patent number: 5542440Abstract: An apparatus for washing balls in a cleaning fluid includes a container for storing soiled balls, a cleaning unit for washing and rinsing the balls, and a clean ball hopper for storing washed balls. A soiled ball conveyor conveys the balls from the soiled ball hopper to the cleaning unit, while a pneumatic conveyor conveys clean balls from the cleaning unit to the clean ball hopper. A fluid supply system provides recirculated cleaning and rinsing fluids to the cleaning unit, and helps prevent the balls from becoming clogged in foam. The cleaning unit includes three vertical substantially transparent cylindrical housings. Upper and lower enclosures are opaque and remove from sight the top and bottom longitudinal axial ends of the cylindrical housings to provide an exciting visual effect as the balls are conveyed through the transparent elongated housings.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: Discovery Zone, IncInventors: Ralph Weimer, Duane R. Acker
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Patent number: 5529082Abstract: An apparatus for washing balls in a cleaning fluid includes a container for storing soiled balls, a cleaning unit for washing and rinsing the balls, and a clean ball hopper for storing washed balls. A soiled ball conveyor conveys the balls from the soiled ball hopper to the cleaning unit, while a pneumatic conveyor conveys clean balls from the cleaning unit to the clean ball hopper. A fluid supply system provides recirculated cleaning and rinsing fluids to the cleaning unit, and helps prevent the balls from becoming clogged in foam. The cleaning unit includes three vertical substantially transparent cylindrical housings. Upper and lower enclosures are opaque and remove from sight the top and bottom longitudinal axial ends of the cylindrical housings to provide an exciting visual effect as the balls are conveyed through the transparent elongated housings.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: June 25, 1996Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventors: Ralph Weimer, Duane R. Acker
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Patent number: 5499641Abstract: An apparatus for washing balls in a cleaning fluid includes a container for storing soiled balls, a cleaning unit for washing and rinsing the balls, and a clean ball hopper for storing washed balls. A soiled ball conveyor conveys the balls from the soiled ball hopper to the cleaning unit, while a pneumatic conveyor conveys clean balls from the cleaning unit to the clean ball hopper. A fluid supply system provides recirculated cleaning and rinsing fluids to the cleaning unit, and helps prevent the balls from becoming clogged in foam. The cleaning unit includes three vertical substantially transparent cylindrical housings. Upper and lower enclosures are opaque and remove from sight the top and bottom longitudinal axial ends of the cylindrical housings to provide an exciting visual effect as the balls are conveyed through the transparent elongated housings.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1994Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventors: Ralph Weimer, Duane R. Acker
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Patent number: 5482565Abstract: An apparatus and method for washing balls in a fluid is disclosed which includes a container for storing soiled balls and a wash unit having an elongated cylindrical housing suitable for containing the fluid and having a lower end adapted for receiving balls and an upper end adapted for discharging balls. The container serially dispenses balls via a transfer chute to the lower end of the housing. The transfer chute includes apparatus for separating regular and irregular balls. Inside the housing, balls are conveyed from the lower end to the upper end by a screw conveyor system which agitates and scrubs the balls. The screw conveyer system includes an first screw conveyor located near the lower end, and a second screw conveyor located near the upper end. The first and second screw conveyors are spaced to form a conveyor free wash cell. Balls are discharged at the housing's upper end to a ramp having a plurality of overlapping flights, where the balls are rinsed.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1994Date of Patent: January 9, 1996Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventors: Bernard Gutterman, Duane Acker, Richard J. Walter, Joe L. Solling
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Patent number: 5425677Abstract: A play enclosure is disclosed including an elongated conduit having a plurality of light admitting pinpoint apertures. The conduit is curved and has a diameter large enough to allow children to crawl through. A strobe light is suspended above the conduit. The pinhole apertures admit beams of light from the strobe light, which cast visually stimulating patterns on the internal wall of the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1993Date of Patent: June 20, 1995Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventors: James F. Gleeson, Richard J. Petersheim
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Patent number: 5405304Abstract: A play apparatus is disclosed for climbing and crawling that is especially suitable for indoor play grounds. In one embodiment, the play apparatus includes a frame having a plurality of spaced apart netting supports extending across the width of the frame. The netting supports are located at least two different heights, and netting spans the netting supports to define at least one climbing and crawling pathway thereover.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1992Date of Patent: April 11, 1995Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Petersheim, James F. Gleeson
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Patent number: D325060Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1990Date of Patent: March 31, 1992Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventor: Ronald G. Matsch
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Patent number: D325615Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1990Date of Patent: April 21, 1992Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventor: Ronald G. Matsch
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Patent number: D328119Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1990Date of Patent: July 21, 1992Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventor: Ronald G. Matsch
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Patent number: D328939Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1990Date of Patent: August 25, 1992Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventor: Ronald G. Matsch
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Patent number: D328940Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1990Date of Patent: August 25, 1992Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventor: Ronald G. Matsch
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Patent number: D330741Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventor: Ronald G. Matsch
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Patent number: D330742Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventor: Ronald G. Matsch
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Patent number: D330744Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventor: Ronald G. Matsch
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Patent number: D358190Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1993Date of Patent: May 9, 1995Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventors: Grant M. Strawcutter, Richard J. Petersheim
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Patent number: D360715Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1993Date of Patent: July 25, 1995Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.Inventors: Ralph E. Weimer, Duane R. Acker