U.S. patent application number 10/397793 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-30 for non-alcoholic beer-pong game system.
Invention is credited to Trokan, Mark.
Application Number | 20040188942 10/397793 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32989086 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040188942 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Trokan, Mark |
September 30, 2004 |
Non-alcoholic beer-pong game system
Abstract
A non-alcoholic beer-pong game system comprises a plurality of
colored beer-pong balls having printed messages thereon. Players
toss or bounce one of the colored beer-pong balls across the full
length of the table, attempting to successfully land the ball in
one of a plurality of cups arranged in the form of a pyramid. In
the event of a successful ball toss, substantially the entire
contents of one or more cups must be consumed by a player from an
opposing team, depending on the color of the ball; and the cup is
removed from the pyramid. A successful ball toss additionally
requires one or more players from an opposing team to carry out the
directions printed on the beer-pong ball. Printed directions are
tailored to meet the needs of the players, having a degree of
edginess that varies directly with age groups into which players
are categorized, whereby the directions are more risqu in game
versions played by adult couples.
Inventors: |
Trokan, Mark; (Bedninster,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ERNEST D BUFF & ASSOCIATES, LLC
245 SOUTH ST
MORRISTOWN
NJ
07960
US
|
Family ID: |
32989086 |
Appl. No.: |
10/397793 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/342 ;
273/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 67/002 20130101;
A63F 2250/024 20130101; A63B 67/06 20130101; A63F 7/0023 20130101;
A63B 43/008 20130101; A63F 7/0017 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/342 ;
273/400 |
International
Class: |
A63F 007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A non-alcoholic beer-pong game system for two or more players,
comprising: a. a distinctly colored beer-pong ball having at least
one printed message thereon, said ball having a stain resistant,
transparent coating; b. a plurality of cups arranged in pyramidal
form on opposing sides of a game table, each of said cups being
filled with a non-alcoholic beverage; c. first and second teams of
players, each of said teams being provided with a set of said
beer-pong balls, said set containing three balls bearing,
respectively, a color that is RED, ORANGE and YELLOW; d. a set of
game rules, providing for at least one player of a team to toss or
bounce at least one of said colored beer-pong balls across the
length of the said game table in an attempt to land said colored
beer-pong ball within one of said cups, whereupon, depending on the
color of the ball, a successful attempt requires a player of the
opposing team perform a first action, including (i) drinking
substantially the entire contents of one or more cups, (ii)
awarding from 0 to 2 or more prize points to the team whose player
successfully tossed the ball, (iii) removing one or more cups,
whose contents have been consumed, from that player's pyramid, and
(iv) adding at least one cup to the opposing team's pyramid, and to
execute a second action, as directed by a message printed on said
colored beer-pong ball.
2. A non-alcoholic beer-pong game system for two or more players as
recited by claim 1, wherein said colored beer-pong ball has a stain
resistant water repellant transparent polytetrafluoroethylene
coating.
3. A non-alcoholic beer-pong game system for two or more players as
recited by claim 1, wherein said colored beer-pong ball has a stain
resistant, water repellant, transparent, silicone coating covering
substantially the entire exterior surface thereof.
4. A non-alcoholic beer-pong game system for two or more players as
recited by claim 1, wherein each of said teams is categorized into
one of a plurality of age groups and said printed messages have a
degree of edginess that varies with ages of said age groups,
whereby said printed messages are more risqu for age groups
composed of adult couples.
5. A non-alcoholic beer-pong game system for two or more players as
recited by claim 1, wherein said printed message comprises one of
the following messages: "Chug It", "Drink", Miss It", "Down the
Hatch", "No Way", "Soft Touch" and "Harder".
6. A non-alcoholic beer-pong game system for two or more players as
recited by claim 1, wherein said risqu printed message comprises
one of the following messages: "Trade", "Remove", "Give a Kiss",
"Flash", and "Secret".
7. A non-alcoholic beer-pong game system for two or more players as
recited by claim 1, wherein said game rules further provide for an
event whereupon a RED colored beer-pong ball lands on a cup filled
with a non-alcoholic beverage, and occasion of said event requires
that player's opponent to drink the cup's entire contents, remove
the cup from the said pyramid and award one point to that player's
team.
8. A non-alcoholic beer-pong game system for two or more players as
recited by claim 1, wherein occasion of said ORANGE colored
beer-pong ball landing on a cup filled with non-alcoholic beverage
requires an opponent of a player that successfully tossed said
ORANGE colored beer-pong ball to drink substantially the entire
beverage content in said cup, drink substantially all beverage
content from an additional cup, remove both the cups from said
pyramid, and award his opponent two points.
9. A non-alcoholic beer-pong game system for two or more players as
recited by claim 1, wherein occasion of a player successfully
tossing said YELLOW colored beer-pong ball into a cup filled with
non-alcoholic beverage requires an opponent of to drink the
beverage in the cup, remove the cup from said pyramid and place a
new cup containing a beverage in his opponent's pyramid.
10. A non-alcoholic beer-pong game system as recited by claim 1,
wherein said set of game rules further includes an optional
election whereby a player passes said second action to his
opponents by drinking substantially the entire content of an
additional cup.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to ball games played on a
table by two or more players; and more particularly, to a beer-pong
game adapted for play with non-alcoholic colored beverages.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The Traditional Game of "Beer-Pong" (also known as "Beruit")
is an immensely popular beer drinking game played throughout the
United States. It is regularly played on university and college
campuses; at beach house parties, and other festive occasions at
which alcoholic beverages, such as beer, are present. Such festive
occasions are typically attended by students in their twenties. The
rules and playing styles of "Beer-Pong" are fairly consistent
throughout the country. Generally, two or four individuals
participate at one time. These individuals are typically divided
into two opposing teams. Each team arranges ten (10) to twenty (20)
cups in the shape of a pyramid near the end of a table. The
arrangement of cups at the beginning of the game should resemble
the initial rack of pool balls in a game of "eight-ball". Each team
thereafter fills each cup with a pre-selected amount of beer.
Filling is continued until each cup is about 1/4 to about 1/2 full.
The players then take turns tossing or bouncing beer-pong balls
across the length of a table. An object of the game is to cause a
beer-pong ball to land in an opponent's cup. If a player's opponent
succeeds in "making a shot", that player must drink the cup into
which the beer-pong ball landed. The empty cup is then removed from
the table. A team that successfully eliminates each of the
opponents' cups first is the victor. When this occurs, the losing
team must "down" the entire contents of the winning team's
remaining filled cups.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 867,935 to G. S. Parker discloses a game
apparatus wherein one or more suitably colored repositories,
preferably frustoconical shapes, are placed on a smooth table.
Balls are carried on a smooth plate and carefully delivered into
the aperture of the repositories. Delivery of the ball into the
aperture is difficult; requiring a steady hand. Placing several
balls in the repository causes it to topple, spilling all the
balls. The game is won by a team that places the greater number of
balls in the repository and whose players are least penalized for
missed balls. The repositories are frustoconical in shape. They are
open at both ends and do not contain any drinks.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,820,789 to Dudley discloses color-coded
pocketed target projectiles and securing indicia. This educational
game uses colored target receptacles with circular openings. Balls
with colors matching the color of a target receptacle are provided
and tossed into the receptacle from a distance. The number of balls
matching the color of a target receptacle, which has been tossed,
are counted, and a colored numerical shape indicating the number of
matching color balls tossed is displayed. A mechanism is thereby
provided for improving the skill set required to accomplish a
series of tasks, including: tossing a ball into a chosen colored
target receptacle, counting balls, and selecting a numbered display
unit having the proper color. This educational toy is adapted to
help children identify colors, improve their ability to toss a
plurality of balls having a pre-selected color into a
color-matching receptacle; count successful tosses; and display the
number of toss-attempts using a colored number carrying element.
None of the receptacles contains a beverage.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,260 to Ottley discloses a target game.
The game is played outdoors. A ball is tossed or rolled towards a
target having a plurality of cups buried in the ground. The balls
are bounced using a backer board. A plurality of rails is provided
to accurately guide the ball within a path. This target game uses
balls that are tossed or rolled into a plurality of cups. Each of
the cups is buried in the ground; none of them is filled with a
liquid.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,483 to Dineen et al. discloses a golf
toss game. The game comprises colored tossing bags and golf hole
cups, which are inserted into the ground with identifying
flagsticks and markers. Nine golf hole cups are buried and marked.
A player tosses the colored bags, scoring a point when a colored
bag enters the hole. The players in the golf toss game toss a
colored bag into a buried golf hole marked with a flagstick and
marker. The golf toss game is transportable in that holes can be
dug anywhere and assembled in a variety of places by burying a
plurality of golf hole cups. None of the cups are filled with a
liquid.
[0009] The Internet Publication entitled "Beer-Pong Rules" at
http://www.gotpong.com/beerpong/rules/discloses rules for a
conventional beer-pong game. A plurality of cups containing one or
more alcoholic beverages are arranged in 3-2-1 pyramidal fashion.
Two players toss ping-pong balls, attempting to direct the balls
into one of the cups. Ping-pong balls may be tossed directly or
bounced on a substrate. If a ball touches a cup, it is considered
`sunk`, whereupon the cup contents must be consumed by the opposing
team. Scaling occurs when a ball is tossed with the intention of
knocking over a cup. In the event of scaling, the team whose player
threw the ball is penalized by one cup. If, during game play, one
team retains 4 cups while the other team's cup count reaches 2, the
losing team is "Skunked"; and must consume all 6 of the cups. The
Beer-Pong Rules publication discloses conventional rules for a
beer-pong game. As described therein, a conventional beer-pong game
requires use of alcoholic beverages.
[0010] The Internet Publication entitled "Rules Without
Paddles--National Beer-Pong League" at
http://www.nbpl.net/rulesno.html discloses 14 variations of the
conventional beer-pong ball game. The Rules Without Paddles
publication describes variations of the beer-pong game
conventionally played throughout the United States at different
localities. Each of the variations requires use of alcoholic
beverages.
[0011] The Internet Publication "Neave's Beer", as described by the
BP website located at
http://www.neave.com/beer/yourgames/beirut.html, discloses a
conventional beer-pong game variant wherein a coin is tossed into a
plurality of beer cups instead of a ping-pong ball. Each of the
beer cups into which the coin is tossed contains beer or a similar
alcoholic beverage.
[0012] The Internet Publication "Beirut Instructor", as described
by a website located at http://h0020e0642dd9.ne.client2.attbi.com/,
describes yet another variation of the beer-pong game. Two sets,
each containing six twelve-ounce Solo Cups, are arranged in a rack,
to form a pyramid. Two twelve-ounce beers are dispersed among the
cups in each rack. Each team has two players, one of which is
assigned to a rack. Teams take turns throwing a ping-pong ball into
the opposing team's cups. If a ball lands in a cup, it is removed
from the rack. The first team to knock out all of the opposing
team's cups is the winner. An alcoholic beverage, preferably Beer,
is required, together with ping-pong balls, which are tossed by the
players to eliminate cups belonging to the opposing team.
[0013] The Internet Publication entitled "Column: Playing The Name
Game With A Party Classic", located at
http://www.nbpl.net/dailyorange.html, addresses an issue extant on
college campuses, namely, whether the correct title for the most
popular drinking game is Beirut or Beer-Pong. The Daily Orange
publication attempts to define the difference between Beer-Pong and
Beirut. It concludes that Beer-Pong refers to any variation of the
game that uses paddles to hit the ball in the cup, while in Beirut
the ball is thrown by hand. This distinction is based on a quote
from Jason Keith, head of the National Beer-Pong League. According
to Jason Keith: "The difference between Beer-Pong and Beirut is
that Beer-Pong refers to any variation of the game that uses
paddles to hit the ball into a cup, while in Beirut, the ball is
thrown by hand". Significantly, each of the Beirut and Beer-Pong
games defined by the Name Game publication requires use of
alcoholic beverages.
[0014] The Internet Publication entitled "BP--the game--Our Rules",
located at http://home.earthlink.net/.about.2BP/pages/bprules.html,
discloses rules for a conventional beer-pong game. A plurality of
(typically three) cups containing one or more alcoholic beverages
are arranged on a regulation 9'.times.5' ping-pong table on
opposing sides of a 6" high ping pong net. A center cup is placed
directly on the centerline of the table, two paddle lengths from
the end line. The two outside cups are placed on either sideline in
similar fashion. Two players toss Ping-Pong balls, attempting to
direct the balls into one of the cups. Ping-pong balls may be
tossed directly or bounced on a substrate. If a ball touches a cup,
it is considered `sunk`, whereupon the cup contents must be
consumed by the opposing team. Scaling occurs when a ball is tossed
with the intention of knocking over a cup. In the event of scaling,
the team whose player threw the ball is penalized by one cup. If,
during game play, one team retains 4 cups while the other team's
cup count reaches 2, the losing team is "Skunked"; and must consume
all 6 of the cups. As described therein, the BP Rules variant
requires use of alcoholic beverages.
[0015] There remains a need in the art for a non-alcoholic
beer-pong game for two or more players, wherein game components are
not degraded by colored beverages. Also needed is a beer-pong game
having significant complexity that player participation and
enjoyment are enhanced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention provides a beer-pong game for two or
more players, wherein game components are not degraded by colored
beverages. A water repellant, stain resistant coating on the
surface of the beer-pong ball withstands extended contact with
colored beverages. Printed statements on the ball's outer surface,
combined with use of a plurality of ball colors, provide additional
complexity. The game is played with non-alcoholic beverages,
thereby permitting participation by children, teenagers and adults.
Color degradation and damage to printed statements on the balls'
outer surfaces are avoided. Interaction between players is
increased. Player participation and enjoyment are enhanced. The
ball's service life is prolonged, and the need for replacing the
game's key component is virtually eliminated.
[0017] Generally stated, the invention provides a beer-pong game,
wherein a plurality of players on at least two teams endeavor to
toss color-coded beer-pong balls with printed witty messages into
cups filled with non-alcoholic beverages. The cups are arranged in
pyramidal form on opposing ends of a game table. When one of the
colored balls lands in the beverage, an opposing team player must
consume the substantially the entire contents of one or more cups,
depending upon the color of the beer-pong ball, and remove it from
the pyramid. A successfully tossed RED beer-pong ball requires the
opposing team to drink the entire contents of the beverage from the
cup, remove the cup from the pyramid, and award one point to the
team that tossed the RED ball. When an ORANGE beer-pong ball is
tossed successfully into one of the cups, an opposing team player
must consume the contents of the beverage in the cup; and,
additionally, consume the contents of a second cup, remove both
cups from the pyramid, and award two points to the team that
successfully tossed the ORANGE ball. The event of a successfully
tossed YELLOW beer-pong ball requires the opposing team to consume
the beverage from the cup containing the YELLOW ball, remove the
cup from the pyramid, and place an additional beverage containing
cup in the opponent's pyramid. In each case, an opposing player
must execute an action, as directed by a printed message on the
successfully tossed beer-pong ball. This witty message may be
selected from a group comprising "Chug It", "Drink", Miss It",
"Down the Hatch", "No Way", "Soft Touch" and "Harder". In a more
risqu version of the game suitable for adult couples, the message
may be a member selected from a group consisting of "Trade",
"Remove", "Give a Kiss", "Flash", and "Secret". In one embodiment
of the game, the action set forth in the message may be passed on
to the opposing team as a challenge by drinking the entire content
of an additional cup and removing it from the pyramid. If the
opposing team successfully executes this action, the challenging
team has to drink the entire content of an additional cup and
remove the cup from the pyramid.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment there is provided a non-alcoholic
beer-pong game for two teams, each of which comprise one to five
players. The players compete by tossing or bouncing a colored
beer-pong ball having RED, ORANGE or YELLOW colors and, optionally,
a witty message printed on the exterior surface thereof. A colored
beer-pong ball is tossed or bounced by a player across the full
length of a game table. The player that tosses the ball attempts to
land it within one of a plurality of cups arranged in a pyramid at
the opposing end of the table. Generally a pyramidal arrangement
comprises from 5 to 20 cups, each of which contains a non-alcoholic
beverage. Such a cup arrangement is disposed at opposing ends of
the game table. Each player in turn tosses a colored beer-pong ball
in an attempt to land the ball in one of the non-alcoholic beverage
filled cups of the opponent's pyramid. When the player successfully
tosses a RED colored beer-pong ball into a cup the opposing team
player is required to consume the substantially the entire beverage
content of the cup wherein the ball landed, remove the empty cup
from the pyramidal and award one point to the tossing player. In
the event that a player successfully tosses an ORANGE colored
beer-pong ball into a cup, the opposing team player must consume
that cup's contents and the contents of an additional cup. The
opposing team player then removes the two empty cups from the
pyramid and award two points to the tossing player. When a player
successfully tosses a YELLOW colored beer-pong ball into a cup, the
opposing team player must consume the cup's beverage content,
remove the empty cup from the pyramid and add an additional
beverage filled cup to the tossing player's pyramid without a point
award. In all cases, the opposing player must execute an action, as
directed by a printed message on the beer-pong ball. This message
may be selected from a group comprising "Chug It", "Drink", Miss
It", "Down the Hatch", "No Way", "Soft Touch" and "Harder". In a
more risqu version of the game suitable for adult couples, it may
have messages selected from a group comprising "Trade", "Remove",
"Give a Kiss", "Flash", and "Secret". In a further embodiment of
the game, the action set forth in the message printed in the
beer-pong ball may be passed on to the opposing team as a
challenge. The opposing team is required to drink an additional
cup's contents and removing the additional cup from the pyramid.
When a challenged team successfully executes this action, the
challenging team must drink the contents of an additional cup and
remove that cup from the pyramid.
[0019] The team, which accumulates maximum points and effects
removal of all cups from the opponents' pyramid, becomes the
winner, whereupon the losing team must drink substantially the
entire remainder of beverages contained by cups within its
pyramid.
[0020] Throughout a conventional beer-pong ball game, its principle
component--the beer-pong ball--is placed continuously in intimate
contact with an alcoholic beverage. Such a beverage is generally
colored with natural and artificial colorants that tend to stain
the beer-pong ball. In accordance with the invention, a plurality
of color-coded beer-pong balls are brought continuously into
contact with non-alcoholic beverages. Advantageously, the colors of
these balls, as well as the clarity of the witty messages printed
thereon and the balls' bounce characteristics are preserved by
applying a special coating to the balls' exterior surfaces. This is
accomplished by coating the surface of each colored beer-pong ball
with a water repellant non-staining coating, such as transparent
Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) or silicone coating.
[0021] Advantageously, use of a transparent water repellant coating
of the type described facilitates recognition of ball color and
reading of messages thereon despite repeated immersion of the ball
in non-alcoholic colored beverages. The coated balls are especially
constructed to tolerate contact with colored non-alcoholic
beverages. A stain resistant coating on the exterior surface of
each of the balls resists color degradation, which would otherwise
result from contact of the balls with beverage colorants. In
addition, the coating prevents obviation of printed statements on
the ball's outer surface, and facilitates maintenance of the ball's
bouncing characteristic. Each of these elements constitutes a
necessary prerequisite for continuous game play; their presence is
preserved by the ball's exterior coating. Use of numerous ball
colors and printed statements provide substantial variation and
increased game dimensionality. The Beer Pong Game System is
transportable and can be readily assembled using non-alcoholic
beverages. Significantly, the need for alcoholic beverages is
virtually eliminated. This represents a major advantage, since
alcoholic beverages are relatively expensive and can prematurely
shorten game play, or cause players to become dangerously
inebriated, particularly if one team is continuously skunked. When
compared with conventional alcoholic ball games, the present Beer
Pong Game System contains a greater variety of scoring
opportunities. These additional features make it far more
challenging and pleasurable to play. Game aesthetics are enhanced
and its in service life and enjoyment are improved. Game play is
safer, owing to use of non-alcoholic beverages; and proceeds with
greater ease and less expense.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] The invention will be more fully understood and further
advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the
following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a non-alcoholic beer-pong
game system in accordance with the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting a beer-pong ball before and
after being subjected to several immersions in a colored
non-alcoholic beverage; and
[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the cross section of the
beer-pong ball.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The Traditional Game of "Beer-Pong" (also known as "Beruit")
has gained immense popularity. It may be generally described as a
beer drinking game; and is frequently played throughout the United
States. Beer-Pong is regularly played on university and college
campuses; at beach house parties, and other festive occasions at
which alcoholic beverages, such as beer, are present. Such festive
occasions are oftentimes attended by college students and young
adults. Beer-Pong rules and playing styles are fairly consistent
throughout the United States.
[0027] The present invention provides a new type of beer-pong ball.
In accordance with the invention, beer-pong balls would be marketed
in packages, each of which contains six balls having distinctly
different colors and, optionally a plurality of cups preferably
ranging from about 10 to 20 cups. Distinctly colored balls are used
in the Beer-Pong Game system to vary scoring opportunities. A
variety of provocatively comical statements printed on each ball
enhance the enjoyment of the game. Each package of beer-pong balls
contains two RED balls, two YELLOW balls, and two ORANGE balls; one
colored set is appointed for use by each team. Ball pigmentation is
distinctly bright, and preferably employs fluorescent colors for
enhanced visibility. Advantageously, the bright, distinctly colored
balls vary scoring opportunities and facilitate customer
recognition of the beer-pong ball product. They enable the game to
be played even in poorly lighted conditions, and provide a
"standard" that engenders consumer preference for playing with
"official" beer-pong balls, rather than substitutes. The number of
cups provided by a package will vary depending upon the number of
players participating.
[0028] The statements printed on each of the beer-pong balls have a
witty edge to them. Such statements bear close correlation to beer
drinking; they tend to heckle a player shooting the ball. Suggested
statements include "Chug It", "Drink", Miss It", "Down the Hatch",
"No Way", "Soft Touch" and "Harder" and the like. Generally
speaking, the printed statements tend to approach those taunts
frequently uttered by opponents while a player is engaged in a
rowdy non-alcoholic Beer-Pong game.
[0029] The non-alcoholic Beer-Pong Game System of the present
invention modifies and departs from a traditional Beer-Pong game in
several key aspects. First, the game is played with non-alcoholic
beverages, which are typically colored drinks having natural or
artificial coloring agents that stain wearing apparel and game
materials, and the like. Beer-pong balls vary in color and have
provocatively comical statements printed thereon. The color of the
ball, as well as the printed statements thereon, require
preservation for extended game play. Damage to a beer-pong ball's
bounce characteristic; or to its color; or to the clarity of the
printed statement on the ball's exterior, interrupts the game. A
new ball must be procured to continue game play. These color
differences vary scoring opportunity, while printed statements on
the ball's exterior inject additional elements, which direct player
activity and otherwise enhance enjoyment of the game. Without them,
the game would lack the aforementioned dimensions and attributes,
and be less pleasurable to play.
[0030] A beer-pong ball is an important component of the
non-alcoholic Beer-Pong Game System. In accordance with the
invention, each beer-pong ball is provided with a non-staining
feature. This non-staining characteristic is accomplished by
coating the ball's exterior surface with a water-repellent,
transparent coating. Several coatings provide this functionality.
Preferably, the coating is composed of Polychlorotrifluoroethylene
(PCTFE) or silicone. Each of these coatings is essentially
non-wetting, and does not allow the colorants in a non-alcoholic
beverage to stain the colored Beer-Pong ball. The outer coating is
highly stain resistant. It also prevents obviation of printed
statements on the ball's outer surface. Further, the coating
prevents color changes otherwise produces when non-coated balls
become stained. Still further, the coating serves to facilitate
maintenance of the ball's bouncing characteristic. Each of these
elements, constitute necessary prerequisites for continuous game
play; their presence is preserved by the ball's exterior
coating.
[0031] A representative non-alcoholic Beer-Pong Game System setup
is illustrated by FIG. 1. On a flat table, ten cups 11, filled with
non-alcoholic colored beverage 12, are deployed in a pyramidal
arrangement. When a Beer-Pong ball having the construction of the
invention is bounced or tossed directly into one of the cups, it
floats. Printed statements are placed on the exterior surface of
the ball, as shown in the enlarged view thereof.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates the Beer-Pong ball at two distinctly
different stages of the game. A first of the stages exists before
the ball has been immersed in a colored, non-alcoholic beverage.
The second stage is extant after the ball has been subjected to
several immersions in the colored non-alcoholic beverage. A water
repellant, transparent coating composed of
Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), silicone coating or the like
on substantially the entire exterior surface of the ball preserves
printed statements thereon, as well as the color of the ball.
[0033] In FIG.3 there is illustrated a cross-section of the
beer-pong ball 13 at section line XX. The ball construction has an
inner portion 14 encasing trapped air 20. It is made from
cellulose, or the like material which exhibits appropriate bounce
characteristics. A coating layer 15 is applied over substantially
the entire surface area of inner portion 14. The coating layer 15
is composed of water repellant layer such as
Poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene) (PCTFE), silicone or other water
repellant material operative to prevent transfer of color from a
non-alcoholic beverage to the surface of the beer-pong ball 13.
[0034] The rules for playing the new non-alcoholic Beer-Pong Game
System are set forth below. Each package of Beer-Pong balls
includes instructions for game play. In accordance with the
instructions, the game is played without the use of alcoholic
beverages. Two teams having one to five players each participate at
one time. Each team begins with three beer-pong balls having
distinctly different colors. The teams arrange a pyramid composed
of between five (5) and twenty (20) sets of cups near each end of a
table. Each team thereafter fills the cups with a pre-selected
amount of its favorite non-alcoholic beverage. The players take
turns tossing or bouncing Beer-Pong balls across the table length,
endeavoring to score points by landing the Beer-Pong balls in their
opponents' cups. The tossing turn is passed to the opposing team
when a player fails to land a colored beer-pong ball in one of the
cups.
[0035] If a player's opponent successfully makes a shot with a RED
beer-pong ball by landing the ball in one of the cups, a player
from the cup-owning team must consume substantially the entire
contents of the cup wherein the RED beer-pong ball landed and
remove the empty cup from the pyramid. The team that successfully
shot the RED beer-pong ball is awarded one point.
[0036] If a player's opponent successfully makes a shot with an
ORANGE beer-pong ball, that player must drink the cup containing
the ORANGE beer-pong ball plus one additional cup and remove both
cups from the pyramid. The team that successfully shot the ORANGE
beer-pong ball is awarded two points.
[0037] If a player's opponent successfully makes a shot with a
YELLOW beer-pong ball, that player must drink the cup containing
the YELLOW beer-pong ball and remove the empty cup from the
pyramid. The team that successfully shot the YELLOW beer-pong ball
is allowed to replace or add another cup to its pyramid; but is
awarded no points.
[0038] If a player's opponent successfully makes a shot, that
player must carry out the printed message set forth on the exterior
surface of the ball, regardless of the color of the ball. This
provides an opportunity for close interaction between the teams and
can lead to surprising outcomes, since the colored balls are
printed a wide variety of witty messages.
[0039] Any cups that are accidentally knocked over or spilled
without a beer-pong ball having landed therein are removed from the
table. In such an event, neither team receives any points. Teams
are not required to follow the instructions printed on a ball that
causes a cup to be knocked over or to spill its contents. A team
that scores the greatest number of points, and successfully
eliminates each of its opponents' cups first is the victor.
[0040] In another embodiment of the non-alcoholic Beer-Pong Game
System, each package of Beer-Pong balls includes instructions for
playing a second variation of the game. The beer-pong balls used in
the second variation are printed with messages appropriate for
enjoyment by couples. A Beer-Pong ball tailored for use with this
embodiment of the Non-alcoholic Beer-Pong Game System has a stain
resistant outer coating adapted to (i) prevent obviation of printed
statements on the ball's outer surface, and (ii) facilitate
maintenance of the ball's bouncing characteristic. Each package of
Beer-Pong balls has six brightly colored balls with a variety of
instructional statements printed on each ball. A critical part of
the game constitutes the requirement that players comply with the
instructions written on the balls.
[0041] The game is played with two "couples", or four adults, at
one time. Players are divided into two opposing teams. Each team is
issued an equal number of beer-pong balls at the beginning of the
game. The teams should then place five(5) to twenty (20) cups near
the ends of each side of a table and arrange the cups in the shape
of a pyramid. Each 5 to 20-cup set is thereafter filled with its
team's favorite beverage. Players then take turns tossing or
bouncing Beer-Pong balls across the length of the table in an
effort to get the Beer-Pong balls to land in their opponents'
cups.
[0042] If an individual's opponent successfully makes a shot, that
individual must drink the entire contents of the cup wherein the
beer-pong ball has landed and remove the empty cup from the
pyramid. Depending on the color of the ball, a number of drinks
must be consumed and, as stated earlier for RED, YELLOW and ORANGE
balls, corresponding point rewards are accumulated. In addition,
the event of a successful ball toss requires a player from the
cup-owning team to comply with the instructions written on the
tossed beer-pong ball. If an individual/team opts not to comply
with the instructions, that team may elect to "pass". To be awarded
a "pass", the team must drink substantially the entire contents of
a second cup and remove that cup from its pyramid. The opposing
team then has the option of complying with the instructions on the
"passed" Beer-Pong ball. If the instructions are complied with, the
team that elected to "pass" must then drink the entire contents of
a third cup and remove that cup from its pyramid. Any cups that are
accidentally knocked over or spilled by a beer-pong ball that fails
to land in them are removed from the table; and neither team is
required to comply with the instructions printed on that ball. The
team that successfully eliminates its opponents' cups first is
declared the winner. Upon declaration of a winner, the losing team
must forthwith finish any remaining cups.
[0043] The following instructions represent the types of commands
appointed for printing on the beer-pong balls for use with couples.
Commands should be edgy, trending edicts that engender group
interaction and entail behavior characterized as slightly
risqu:
[0044] 1. "Trade"--A successful shot with this ball requires team
members to trade an article of clothing with each other.
[0045] 2. "Remove"--A successful shot with this ball requires team
members to remove one article of clothing.
[0046] 3. "Give a Kiss"--A successful shot with this ball requires
team members to kiss each other.
[0047] 4. "Flash"--A successful shot with this ball requires team
members to flash their opponents.
[0048] 5. "Secret"--A successful shot with this ball requires team
members to confess a secret.
[0049] 6. "Fantasy"--A successful shot with this ball requires team
members to share a secret fantasy.
[0050] The targeted consumer is a stereotypical fraternity/sorority
young adult familiar with beer drinking games and the traditional
game of Beer-Pong. Beer-Pong balls are packaged in a clear plastic
envelope-like bag, sealed on top with a cardboard sheath. This form
of packaging permits Beer-Pong balls to be readily identified. It
enables stores to promote the product by hanging or stacking the
packages. Preferably, the cardboard sheath bears bright colors and
a fairly simple logo. The product should be offered for sale in
"convenience" stores that are open late at night and, ideally,
located near university/college or beach town sites, (e.g. Wawa;
7-Eleven; and the like). The success of this product will depend
heavily upon the stain resistant characteristic of the Beer-Pong
ball, and the availability and accessibility of game
components.
[0051] Having thus described the invention in rather full detail,
it will be understood that such detail need not be strictly adhered
to, but that additional changes and modifications may suggest
themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope
of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.
* * * * *
References