US20040188942A1

US20040188942A1 - Non-alcoholic beer-pong game system

Info

Publication number: US20040188942A1
Application number: US10/397,793
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark Trokan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-26
Filing date: 2003-03-26
Publication date: 2004-09-30

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 risqué in game versions played by adult couples.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

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.

2. Description of the Prior Art

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 ¼ to about ½ 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Internet Publication entitled “BP—the game—Our Rules”, located at http://home.earthlink.net/˜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′×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.

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

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.

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 risqué 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.

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 risqué 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.

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.

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.

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

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: [0022]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a non-alcoholic beer-pong game system in accordance with the present invention; [0023]
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 [0024]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the cross section of the beer-pong ball.[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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. [0026]
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. [0027]
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. [0028]
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. [0029]
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. [0030]
A representative non-alcoholic Beer-Pong Game System setup is illustrated by FIG. 1. On a flat table, ten [0031] 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.
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. [0032]
In FIG.[0033] 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.
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. [0034]
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. [0035]
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. [0036]
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. [0037]
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. [0038]
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. [0039]
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. [0040]
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. [0041]
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. [0042]
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 risqué: [0043]
1. “Trade”—A successful shot with this ball requires team members to trade an article of clothing with each other. [0044]
2. “Remove”—A successful shot with this ball requires team members to remove one article of clothing. [0045]
3. “Give a Kiss”—A successful shot with this ball requires team members to kiss each other. [0046]
4. “Flash”—A successful shot with this ball requires team members to flash their opponents. [0047]
5. “Secret”—A successful shot with this ball requires team members to confess a secret. [0048]
6. “Fantasy”—A successful shot with this ball requires team members to share a secret fantasy. [0049]
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. [0050]
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. [0051]

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 risqué 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 risqué 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.