Coffee time challenge solution

The solution to this month's challenge comes from Doug Green

He is an inventor who used to devise solutions for monitoring the flight of munitions on a UK artillery range, among other things, but he has since retired and moved to the Philippines. He says: "Idea one is simply to attach a small paper parachute to the cork which is stowed under the label. I made several prototypes and it was fun to see the corks floating down to earth. "The second idea is to attach the cork to the label using a lanyard made of ribbon. This is folded in a zigzag style so as it is pulled out, it rubs against itself absorbing energy. "Then, inspired by the idea of a retrorocket and using a hollow plastic champagne stopper, I managed to install a party popper, so that when the cork flew out, the party popper fired the steamers creating an impressive display that also slowed the cork at the same time." For more information email dougreen@gmail.com