Patents by Inventor Joe L. Solling

Joe L. Solling has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5482565
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Gutterman, Duane Acker, Richard J. Walter, Joe L. Solling
  • Patent number: 5353822
    Abstract: 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 means 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: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Gutterman, Duane Acker, Richard J. Walter, Joe L. Solling