Patent Publication Number: US-9421428-B1

Title: Game ball cleaning device and method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This continuation in part application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/962,629 filed Aug. 8, 2013 which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/680,952 which was filed on Aug. 8, 2012, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for any purpose whatsoever. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure relates to object cleaning assemblies and methods, and in particular embodiments, game ball or ping pong ball washing assemblies and methods. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The recreational and cultural game of Beer Pong is a drinking game involving two teams, plastic cups, ping pong balls and a game table. Two sets of usually ten, six, or three plastic cups are filled with beer, alcohol, soda or any drinkable liquid and placed at either end of the game table in a triangular formation. Each team alternates turns throwing the ping pong balls at the opposing team&#39;s plastic cups. When the shooting or serving team throws a ball and lands a ball in one of the opposing team&#39;s plastic cups, the opposing team must drink the liquid (before or after the ball is removed from the cup) and remove that plastic cup from the table. Ping Pong balls are recycled and the game continues until one team&#39;s plastic cups are entirely removed from the table. As one can imagine, not every ping pong ball thrown will land into the opposing team&#39;s cups. Ping pong balls tend to bounce off the game table and roll along very dirty floors or grounds in and around the surrounding game area. Traditionally, ping pong balls that have been landed in an opposing teams cups are rinsed off by dunking the ping pong ball into a separate plastic “wash” cup. After many rinses the wash cup inevitably becomes dirty and filled with a variety of contaminates including but not limited to: debris, sand, dirt, lint, and hairs. Ultimately, the purpose of the wash cup is defeated as the ping pong balls are not sufficiently rinsed by a dirty wash cup. Using a dirty wash cup increases the chances that the returned ping pong ball contains contaminates despite being rinsed. The present application proposes a solution to this problem by effectively rinsing the dirty ping pong ball and enabling the return of a rinsed ping pong ball every time. In addition, the ping pong ball is rinsed each time in a clean environment by uncontaminated fluid thereby decreasing the chances that the returned ping pong ball is dirty. Traditional methods of playing beer pong are represented in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 1  a pair of opponents are shown participating in a ping pong game that is typically referred to as “beer pong.” During this game, the game ball or ping pong ball is exchanged between sides in an effort to deposit the ping pong ball into at least one cup on the opponent&#39;s side, forcing the opponent to consume the liquid within the cup on their side. From time to time, the ping pong ball will exit the table and land on a floor supporting the ping pong table and the opponents. This floor is not always the most sanitary floor as it is typically the floor of a tavern. There may be things such as peanut shells, etc., or other debris associated with bar rooms on the floor. As shown in  FIG. 1  the separate plastic cup known as the wash cup is shown off to the side of the game play table. The present application is a separate device which can be placed anywhere. 
     Other traditional ball cleaning devices known in the art typically involve devices that use abrasive brushes that spin at high speeds to clean a ball, usually a ball bearing, bowling ball or golf ball but none of those devices and mechanisms are capable of cleaning a lightweight ping pong ball. Though the present application can be adapted to clean any game ball of any weight, the present application cleaning mechanism is a multi-stage process involving washing and rinsing using streams of fluid and rotation by air and no abrasive cleaning solutions. In addition, typical ball cleaning devices do not allow for the return of the ball through air. In another embodiment, the reservoir of the device may contain abrasive cleaning solutions. 
     Portable ball cleaning devices are typically not designed for individual home use nor are they portable. Such devices usually are fixed in a location and cannot be moved nor are typical devices compact enough to set on an indoor dining room or living room. 
     The present disclosure provides game ball cleaning assemblies and methods that can be used to wash the ping pong ball after it has exited the table and becomes less than sanitary. None of the art described above addresses all of the issues that the present application does. 
     SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present application discloses a device for cleaning a game ball and includes an outer shell housing with a first side and a second side. The first side aligns with the second side to form a recess for receiving a reservoir of fluid. The outer shell accommodates inner shell housing pieces. The inner shell housing includes a first piece and a second piece. The first piece and the second piece align with each other to form an elongated chute which culminates in a funnel. The chute receives the game ball and is where the game ball is cleaned. The device includes a fan located in the inner shell housing and which blows air into the elongated chute. The device also includes a pump located within the reservoir which is in communication with the elongated chute. The device also includes a battery operated power control board which controls the fan and the pump by delivering air and fluid over the game ball. 
     The device includes a fluid leak prevention gasket which fits over the reservoir. The reservoir contains a mesh filter to capture fallen debris off the game ball after rinsing. The funnel includes a circular lip which includes depressions for lifting the game ball off the device. Each side of the outer shell of the device includes a depression for the removal of the reservoir. The device includes a power button for initiating the cleaning sequence. The game ball may be a ping pong ball. The housing may include a plurality of indents for the placement of advertisement stickers. The inner shell housing pieces include opposing extruding pegs for holding the game ball in place while being rinsed. 
     The present application disclosed a method for cleaning a game ball including a controller which operates in a first mode where the game ball is cleaned within an elongated chute using a mixture of air and fluid; and a second mode where the game ball is ejected out through the elongated chute by a thrust of air. The controller initiates a cleaning sequence for a predetermined amount of time. The controller initiates the lowering of opposing extruding pegs located within the elongated chute where the game ball is placed upon. The controller further directs a fan to produce air and a pump to deliver fluid from a reservoir. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       Embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a depiction of a pair of opponents participating in beer pong. 
         FIG. 2  is an assembly of the present disclosure according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is another depiction of the assembly of the present disclosure according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is another view of the assembly of the present disclosure according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is yet another view of the assembly of the present disclosure according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is yet another view of the assembly of the present disclosure according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is an assembly of the present disclosure according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross section of the assembly of  FIG. 7  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is another view of the assembly of  FIG. 7  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 7  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the assembly of  FIG. 7  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross section of the assembly of  FIG. 7  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the first right side of the outer shell housing of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the second left side of the outer shell housing of the alternative embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the first left piece of the inner shell housing of the alternative embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the second right piece of the inner shell housing of the alternative embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  is a rear view of the alternative embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 18  is a left side view of the alternative embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 19  is a right side view of the alternative embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 20  is a front view of the alternative embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 21  is a bottom view of the alternative embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 22  is a top view of the alternative embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the inner components of the alternative embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 24  is an alternative of the right side view of the inner shell housing of the alternative embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 25  is an alternative of the left side view of the inner shell housing of the alternative embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8). The preferred embodiments of the present application will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present application. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present application, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
     The assemblies and methods of the disclosure will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2-12 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , a game ball cleaning assembly  10  is shown that is coupled to the edge of a game table such as a ping pong table and also includes an assembly for coupling to a power source  11 . It is not necessary that assembly  10  be coupled to the game table; it may rest on, underneath, or beside the game table. It is also not necessary that the power source coupling be a typical plug-in power source. Assembly  10  may also be battery operated, for example. 
     Assembly  10  can include an intake or portal  12  for receiving a ball to be cleaned. Assembly  10  can include a housing that can be constructed of a polymeric material such as hardened plastic, including polycarbonate materials, for example. Housing  13  may be uniformly connected with intake  12 , for example, or housing  13  may define intake  12  as well. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , game ball  15  can be provided to assembly  10  in an effort to clean ball  15 . While example implementations of the present disclosure use a ping pong ball as an example ball, it is contemplated that other balls and/or objects may be cleaned using the subject matter of the present disclosure. 
     According to an example implementation, the providing of ball  15  to assembly  10  can initiate the cleaning sequence within assembly  10 . For example, upon providing the ball, a series of assembly mechanisms are triggered that rinse and/or wash the ball and return the ball back to the operator above assembly  10 . In this fashion, the assembly user such as a beer pong player can retrieve a ball that has been sullied after being removed from the table and provide the ball to assembly  10  where it is cleaned and returned to the operator and/or player. In another embodiment, the rinse and/or wash cycle and the ball return function may be triggered by the pushing of a button. 
     In accordance with example implementations, the assemblies and/or methods of the present disclosure can be used to wash a game ball, such as a ping pong ball. The washing of the ball may be performed with or without an aqueous solution that does or does not include a detergent. As an example, the wash can be performed with fluid alone; as such, the wash may be considered a rinse. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a more detailed depiction of assembly  10  is shown. As described, assembly  10  includes an intake or portal  12  for receiving a ball  15 . Within intake or portal  12  can be a subsequent fluid rinse receiving assembly  16  which can be referred to as a rinse stage for example. This rinse stage can be coupled to a fluid outlet which, upon triggering the cleaning sequences, can provide fluid to wash over ball  15  as it rests upon a drain gate which is located at the lower portion of rinse stage  16 . This fluid outlet that is coupled to rinse stage  16  can be a conduit that is in fluid communication with a pump  18 , which is in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir, with the liquid reservoir holding cleaning solution and/or fluid, for example. Upon application of solution to ball  15 , solution passes over ball and through the stage returning to the reservoir configured below stage  16 . As the cleaning sequence continues, fluid or cleaning solution from the reservoir ceases being pumped and rinsing over ball  15  and then initiation of a fan  14  provides exhaust air up through the rinse stage, drying and/or ejecting ball  15  out of the top of intake or portal  12 . 
     Pump  18  can be a pump that can be used to provide low to high flows of fluid between the reservoir and the outlet of rinse stage  18 , and fan  14  can be a fan that, as configured, provides sufficient air to both dry ball  15  as well as support ball  15  above assembly  10  upon exit from assembly  10 . Example pumps include but are not limited to Hydro Pico Evolution Mini Pump and example fans include but are not limited to Sunon Might Mini Fan. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a more detailed depiction of assembly  10  is shown that includes motion sensors  50  aligning the top or the upper portion of intake  12 . These motion sensors can be in electronic communication with electronic control component  52 . Electronic control component  52  can be in electronic communication with pump  18  and fan  14 , for example. Electronic control component  52  can be a mini computer, for example, or a hardware computer platform programmed to initiate a sequence of pumping and fan blowing upon activation of motion sensors  50 , for example. In accordance with example implementations, upon the initiation of motion sensor  50 , pump  18  is triggered to pull cleaning solution from reservoir  54  and provide same to rinsing stage  16 . Fluid from reservoir  54  can be pumped over ball  15  in rinsing stage  16  and then allowed to pass through rinsing gate  56 , a perforated member sufficient to support ball  15  but insufficient to retain fluid. The fluid then can pass to an opening  58  within assembly  10  below support  56  and return to reservoir  54 . After providing a preprogrammed amount of fluid from reservoir  54  to ball  15 , pump  18  ceases operation and fan  14  initiates operation at what may include variable rates: a slower operation at first providing simply drying air, and then gradually increasing or triggering to a much higher operation wherein the flow of air ejects ball  15  upwardly out of assembly  10 . In accordance with example implementations, the direction of air towards ball  15  can be supported by a flange  60  which directs air current flow away from opening  58  and towards ball  15 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a top view of assembly  10  is shown with motion sensor  50  surrounding a periphery of intake  12  and rinsing stage  16  having a ball  15  therein. Electronic control  52  is shown within housing  13 . According to example implementations, the entire height of assembly  10  can be approximately 8 inches long; the entire length can be approximately 7½ inches long; and the tank itself can occupy approximately 1 inch of depth of the lower portion of assembly  10 . 
     According to another embodiment of the disclosure, cleaning assembly  100  is provided as shown and depicted in  FIGS. 7-12 , for example. Referring to  FIG. 7 , game ball cleaning assembly  100  can include an upper portion  102  and a base portion  104 , wherein the upper portion  102  resides above the base portion  104 . In accordance with example implementations, the upper portion  102  can be substantially comprised of a cone portion defining a large opening portion descending to a smaller lower portion, wherein the lower portion extends to the base portion via shoulder  106 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , assembly  100  may be parted to include two complimentary portions, a first portion  108  and a second portion  110 . By complimentary, these portions may either be fixedly coupled together and/or separated to provide for access to the internal components of these portions. 
     Upper portion  102  may have a horizontal extension  112  extending therefrom, and this extension may house a power source such as a power source  114 . In accordance with example implementations, power source  114  may be configured to house four AA batteries in a substantially vertical orientation. Cover  116  may be placed over power source  114  enclosing same within assembly  100 . In accordance with example configurations, assembly  100  may have a start switch  118  as well as a power indicator light  120  as part of this extension as well. 
     Base  104  may be configured as a semicircular base having a semicircular portion  122  extending to a base extension  124 . In accordance with example configurations, base extension  124  may house at least a portion of a fan assembly within assembly  100 . In accordance with example configurations, semicircular portion  122  may define a semicircle having a larger radius than the opening of upper portion  102 . Assembly  100  may also include vents  126  to provide for air flow to motorized components of assembly  100  such as the rinsing assembly and/or fan assembly. 
     Referring to upper portion  102  again, configured within upper portion  102  can be interior wall  128  that can be substantially conically formed and configured to receive a ball such as a ping pong ball  130 . Recesses  132  may be provided within interior wall  128  to allow for the removal of ping pong ball  130  from assembly  100 . In accordance with example configurations, recesses  130  may be configured in a size able to receive digits to allow for the picking up of game ball  130  such as a ping pong ball. In accordance with example configurations, upper portion  102  and the opening thereto may be considered a portal for entry into assembly  100 , and this portal may be conically configured as described herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a cross section view of at least one portion of assembly  100  is shown. As is depicted, an emitter  140  and receiver  142  are placed in operational configuration opposing one another within portal defined by walls  128  and configured to sense the presence of an object there between. 
     Assembly  100  can include a fluid inlet or fluid inlet  144  that can be in fluid communication with a pump  146 . 
     Flowing through a conduit  148  sized to receive ball  130  and aligned therein is fluid inlet  144  as well as operationally configured LED emitter and receiver sensors  150  and  152  configured opposing one another within conduit  148  and configured to sense the presence of an object there between. Extending from conduit  148  can be a member  154  configured to support ball  130  upon receipt within conduit  148 . Conduit  148  can terminate in a substantially smaller opening  156  which resides above fluid reservoir  158 . 
     Fluid reservoir  158  can be configured as a reservoir within a reservoir having an outer reservoir  160 . This outer reservoir can provide for securing fluid from the remainder of assembly  100  by allowing fluid to be removed or to transfer from reservoir  158  to  160  upon the unintended tipping or falling of assembly  100 , for example. In fluid communication with conduit  148  is also fan assembly  162 . This can be configured as a squirrel cage fan, for example, having a motor therein and as described earlier, can be housed within a horizontal extension of base  104 . 
     Within assembly  100  can also be printed circuit board  170 . This printed circuit board can provide for the control of assembly  100  during operation. In accordance with example configurations, the printed circuit board can provide for initiation upon power turned off and on, and upon initiation of power on, sensors are configured wherein once sensors  150  and  152  detect a ball therein, a predefined cascade of events between the pump and fan functions are initiated. 
     For example, upon sensing of a ball between sensors  150  and  152 , fluid is provided from reservoir  158  via pump  146  through tubing to opening  144  and to within conduit  148 . The fluid is then allowed to cascade over ball  130  and return to reservoir  158 . This cascading and pumping can be provided for a certain amount of time. Example lengths of time can include but are not limited to 3 seconds. Upon completion of this amount of time, pumping can be ceased, and a certain amount of time can be exhausted to allow fluid to drain from conduit  148  and/or ball  130 . Upon this draining time, the fan can be initiated, providing exhaust to within conduit  148  from fan assembly  162 , projecting ball  130  to within the portal defined by surface  128 . The ball then is sensed by emitters  140  and  142 , and upon the sensing of the ball being removed from the portal, the circuit board returns assembly  100  to its initiation state, waiting once again for the sensing of a ball at sensors  150  and  152 , for example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , another view of assembly  100  is shown. This is the rear view. Referring to  FIG. 10 , at least a partial cross section of assembly  100  is shown, demonstrating the fluid opening  144  as well as sensor  150 . As can be seen, opening  156  provides fluid communication between conduit  148  and reservoir  158 . As can also be seen, reservoir  158  is bounded by secondary reservoirs  160 . The reservoir  158  and the sidewalls thereto can form a removable base component  180 . This base component  180  can be removed from portions  108  and  110  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) through, for example, a screw coupling mechanism that allows for the base component  180  to be fixedly attached to assembly  110  and also provide for the removal of the fluid reservoir for cleaning and/or maintenance as needed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a side view which is complimentary to another side view of assembly  110  is shown, as well as a cutout view in  FIG. 12 . In accordance with example configurations, as can be seen, assembly  180  is coupled with at least a portion of assembly  100 . Fan assembly  162  includes motor  190  and reservoir  158  is shown with boundary reservoir  160 . In accordance with example configurations and as shown herein, the assembly can include ball sensors associated with the portal in prior fluid communication and the rinsing assembly or fan assembly that is included within assembly  100 . 
     These ball sensors can include a light sensor projecting substantially normal to the interior surface of the portal, but in some circumstances, they can be at an angle because the portal is conically shaped. The ball sensor can be in fluid communication with at least one or both of the rinsing assembly and/or fan assemblies as shown in figures herein, and the rinsing assembly can include a game ball dock that is shown, for example, as member  154 . This game ball dock may be just a projection from within conduit  148 , but also may include sidewalls and a perforated platform, for example, and be configured to allow for fluid to transfer thereby. 
     Conduit  148  can be an example of a conduit establishing fluid communication between the game ball dock and the fluid reservoir. A pump can be provided herein as shown that can be configured to convey fluid from the reservoir via the conduit to the dock and the pump can be in electronic communication with the game ball sensor via, for example, the printed circuit board and/or the power assembly. According to example implementations, the fan assembly exhaust can be configured to exit the game ball from the portal. In accordance with the embodiments shown, the fan assembly can be lateral of the game ball portal and/or lateral of the fluid reservoir. 
     In accordance with example configurations, the game ball cleaning method of the present disclosure can be configured to provide a game ball to a portal, such as the portal defined in the embodiments shown in the figures; then the method can include electronically initiating a cleaning sequence for the game ball. This cleaning sequence can be hard programmed into a printed circuit board, for example. The cleaning sequence can be as described herein, and then returning the game ball to the portal through which it was received. The game ball cleaning method can also include exposing the game ball to a fluid within an assembly and/or depositing the fluid over at least an upper surface of the game ball. Fluid may also pass over the game ball and return to a reservoir. The sequence may also include providing fan exhaust through the portal, with the exhaust returning the game ball to the portal. In accordance with example implementations, the exhaust can also at least partially remove fluid from the game ball. In accordance with many example embodiments described herein, the game ball may be a ping pong ball, but other balls are contemplated. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present application, and as shown in  FIG. 13 , the game ball cleaning device  1300  includes an outer shell including a first right side  1302  and as shown in  FIG. 14 , a second left side  1304  which are connected to protect the inner shell housing components and inner mechanisms of the device. The first side is configured to align with the second side. Once aligned, the first side  1302  and the second side  1304  form a recess  1305  where a reservoir  2314  (as shown in  FIG. 23 ) of fluid is located. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the inner shell housing includes a first left piece  1502  and as shown in  FIG. 16 , a second right piece  1504 . The first left piece  1502  is configured to align with the second right piece  1504 . The first left piece  1502  further includes an extruding peg  1503  for holding a game ball in place while the game ball is being rinsed. The second right piece  1504  also includes an opposing extruding peg (not shown) for holding the game ball. In another embodiment of the present application, the opposing pegs may be located in any position within the inner shell housing pieces. As will be further described in  FIG. 23 , the connected inner shell housing pieces  1502 ,  1504  are configured to connect to form a funnel  2308  for receiving a game ball and further configured to form an elongated chute  2310  where the game ball is transported. The device  1300  includes a fan  2316  which is located within the connected inner shell housing pieces  1502 ,  1504  and which is in communication with the elongated chute  2310 . The device  1300  includes a pump (not shown) which is located within the reservoir  2314  and in fluid communication with the elongated chute. A power control board  2318  controls the fan  2316  and the pump to deliver an air and fluid mixture over the game ball. 
       FIG. 17  shows the rear view of the device  1300  with the first side  1302  and the second side  1304  of the outer shell housing fully connected.  FIG. 18  shows the right side view of the device  1300 .  FIG. 19  shows the left side view of the device  1300 .  FIG. 20  shows the front facing view of the device  1300 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , each outer shell side includes a depression  1802  and  1902  (as shown in  FIG. 19 ) which controls the removal of a reservoir or tank  1804  and  1904  (as shown in  FIG. 19 ). The reservoir  1804 ,  1904  is where fluid is contained that is used to rinse the game ball. The reservoir can only be removed when both depressions  1802 ,  1902  are simultaneously inwardly pressed. Removal of the reservoir allows the player or user to pour out any fluid that has been used to rinse the game ball and refill the reservoir with new rinse fluid. The wash/rinse cycle of the device is initiated by pressing an initiation button  1905 . 
     The device is designed such that the outer shell pieces when connected form indents in a variety of geometric shapes which are able to receive stickers for enhanced decoration and advertisement. The device may be battery operated. As shown in  FIG. 20 , the batteries are held behind a battery door  2002 . Above the battery door  2002  is the initiation or on/off button  1905  of the device  1300 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , the bottom of the device  1300  contains rubber support foots  2102 . The rubber supports  2102  ensure that the device  1300  is stationary on any surface it is placed upon. 
       FIG. 22  shows the top view of the device  1300 .  FIG. 23  shows the inner components of the device  1300 . A game ball is placed or dropped into a circular slot  2202  and onto the opposing pegs  2204 ,  2206  which are located within the inner shell housing connected pieces. The opposing pegs  2204 ,  2206  support the game ball and hold the game ball in position for when the initiation button is depressed and the wash/rinse cleaning cycle begins. As shown in  FIG. 23 , the circular slot  2202  is positioned in the center of a funnel shape piece  2308 . Once the user depresses the initiating button  1905 , the opposing pegs  2204 ,  2206  are lowered causing the game ball to travel to the bottom portion of the elongated chute  2310  (as shown in  FIG. 23 ) where it is rinsed with a mixture of air and fluid. The initiating button commences the cleaning sequence of the air and fluid mixture. The air is created by the motorized impeller/fan  2316  which is in communication with the elongated chute  2310 . The fluid is delivered from the reservoir  2314  via a pump (not shown) which is in fluid communication with the elongated chute  2310 . After the cleaning process is complete, a final jet of air from the impeller/fan  2316  causes the game ball to be propelled up through the elongated chute  2310  and returned to the circular slot  2202  where the game ball was initially inserted. The game ball will appear to be floating over the circular slot  2202  at which point the game ball is then captured and removed by a player by inserting their fingers into the opposing depressions  2210 ,  2212  (as shown in  FIG. 22 ) within the circular slot  2202 . In the event the game ball is not pulled away from the circular slot  2202  within the programmed time, the game ball will fall back into the elongated chute  2310  and onto the opposing pegs  2204 ,  2206  where the cleaning sequence may be repeated. As shown in  FIG. 22 , an LED indicator light  2208  illuminates a color (such as blue) when the cleaning sequence is underway. After a preprogrammed amount of time, the cleaning sequence will cease to operate. In another embodiment, an additional button may be located on the device which would directly control the fan to produce additional jets of air sufficient to eject the game ball to the circular slot for a longer period of time, thereby allowing a player a longer period of time to capture the game ball. This would avoid the game ball from falling back into the elongated chute. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 23 , any debris rinsed off the game ball falls through a mesh filter  2324  and into the reservoir  2314  where the rinse fluid is stored. The mesh filter  2324  rests at the bottom portion  2312  of the chute  2310  and rests on channels designed to hold it in place. The mesh filter  2324  captures any large debris on the game ball and ensures that such debris does not fall into the reservoir  2314  after rinsing has occurred. This allows for a clean game ball to be returned to a player. The mesh filter  2324  is removable and cleanable at any time during game play and after as many uses as desired. The reservoir  2314  is sealed by a fluid leak prevention gasket  2322 . The gasket  2322  covering prevents leakage or spillage of fluid during the rinsing/cleaning stage. The gasket  2322  also prevents any fluid and/or debris from leaking out of the elongated chute  2310  or reservoir  2314 . The reservoir  2314  is filled with fluid that may or may not contain a cleaning solution. In another embodiment, the reservoir  2314  of the device  1300  may contain a mixture of fluid with abrasive cleaning solutions. 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , the initiating or on/off button  1905  is directly coupled to a power control board  2318 , which is powered by batteries. The batteries are held in a battery housing  2320 . The battery housing  2320  is accessed through the battery door  2002 . The device may be controlled by two AA batteries. In another embodiment, the device may be controlled by an electrical source of power, solar energy or through larger, smaller or multiple amounts of batteries. The battery powered power control board  2318  powers a motor  2502  (as shown in  FIG. 25 ) which controls the impeller/fan  2316 . As shown in  FIG. 24 , the fan  2316  is enclosed in a recess  2402  located on the left piece  1502  of the inner shell housing. The fan  2316  produces air to propel the game ball up through the elongated chute after the rinsing has occurred. As shown in  FIG. 25 , the motor  2502  is encased in a motor pump clip  2506  which is connected to the right piece  1504  of the inner shell housing. The device is approximately 5 inches wide, 6 inches deep and 9 inches tall. In another embodiment, the device may be of any width, depth, length and height. 
     Connecting the right inner shell piece with the left inner shell piece ( FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 ) create the device&#39;s elongated chute, circular slot and finger depressions. In another embodiment, the elongated chute, circular slot where the game ball is inserted and the finger depressions are configured as one piece. In another embodiment, the device may be equipped with a longer interior chute which may allow for the cleaning of multiple game balls. In another embodiment, the device may include a chute where a game ball is inserted in addition to a separate chute for the game ball to be returned. In another embodiment, the LED indicator light may be illuminated with custom colors depending on the amount of players. 
     The application disclosed a method for cleaning a game ball including where the controller is configured to operate in a first mode where the game ball is cleaned within an elongated chute using a mixture of air and fluid; and operate in a second mode where the game ball is ejected out of the elongated chute by a thrust of air. The controller may be configured to initiate a cleaning sequence for a predetermined amount of time. The method for cleaning a game ball includes a controller initiating the lowering of opposing extruding pegs located within the elongated chute where the game ball is placed upon. The method for cleaning a game ball where the controller directs a fan to produce air and a pump to deliver fluid from a reservoir. 
     In another embodiment, the depressions around the exterior base may be configured to hold additional game balls. In another embodiment, the device may be configured to rinse and return multiple game balls simultaneously. In yet another embodiment, the device may be configured with multiple distraction buttons wherein a player can distract the opposing team and interrupt their concentration when playing with lights, sounds, and alarms. In another embodiment, the device may be configured to keep score such as wins overall for the night, misses, how many balls have been “cleaned.” in the system, etc. In another embodiment, the device may include buttons to keep track of common game strategies and plays such as “On fire”, “Balls back”, or “Heating up.” In yet another embodiment, the device may include speakers that work with Bluetooth technology or that is wired to an external media device such as a cellular phone, tablet or other auxiliary music devices. In another embodiment, the device may include a UV filtration light to disinfect the rinse solution after every wash. In another embodiment, the device may include filtration tablets that are deposited after every use to clean the rinse solution. In another embodiment, the device may be configured to accommodate and accept additional accessories such as snap-on ball holders, cup holders or bottle holders. In another embodiment, the device may include a bottle opener. 
     Various other components may be included and called upon for providing for aspects of the teachings herein. For example, additional materials, combinations of materials and/or omission of materials may be used to provide for added embodiments that are within the scope of the teachings herein. In the present application a variety of variables are described, including but not limited to components and conditions. It is to be understood that any combination of any of these variables can define an embodiment of the disclosure. Other combinations of articles, components, conditions, and/or methods can also be specifically selected from among variables listed herein to define other embodiments, as would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective “another,” when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one or more elements. The terms “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
     While the disclosure refers to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to adapt a particular instrument, situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the spirit thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed.