Latest, "Must-Have" Refrigerator Feature: Beer Chucker

OldDude · 03-08-07, 01:20 PM

Best remote EVER.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070308/...gv7wrQkb3MWM0F

Quote:

Refrigerator will toss you can of beer
By ESTES THOMPSON, Associated Press Writer
Thu Mar 8, 7:10 AM ET

RALEIGH, N.C. - When John Cornwell graduated from Duke University last year, he landed a job as software engineer in Atlanta but soon found himself longing for his college lifestyle. So the engineering graduate built himself a reminder of life on campus: a refrigerator that can toss a can of beer to his couch with the click of a remote control.

"I conceived it right after I got out," said Cornwell, a May 2006 graduate from Huntington, N.Y. "I missed the college scene. It embodies the college spirit that I didn't want to let go of."

It took the 22-year-old Cornwell about 150 hours and $400 in parts to modify a mini-fridge common to many college dorm rooms into the beer-tossing contraption, which can launch 10 cans of beer from its magazine before needing a reload.

With a click of the remote, fashioned from a car's keyless entry device, a small elevator inside the refrigerator lifts a beer can through a hole and loads it into the fridge's catapult arm. A second click fires the device, tossing the beer up to 20 feet — "far enough to get to the couch," he said.

Is there a foam explosion when the can is opened? Not if the recipient uses "soft hands" to cradle the can when caught, Cornwell said.

In developing his beer catapult, Cornwell said he dented a few walls and came close to accidentally throwing a can through his television. He's since fine-tuned the machine to land a beer where he usually sits at home, on what he called "a right-angle couch system."

For now, the machine throws only cans, although Cornwell has thought about making a version that can throw a bottle. The most beer he has run through the machine was at a party, when he launched a couple of 24-can cases.

"I did launch a lot watching the Super Bowl," he said. "My friends are the reason I built it. I told them about the idea and hyped it so much and I had to go through with it."

A video featuring the device is a hit on the Internet, where more than 600,000 people have watched it at spamspamspam.com, earning Cornwell more than $3,000 from the Web site.

Cornwell said he has talked to a brewing company about the machine, but right now only one exists. Asked if he might start building some for sale, he said: "I'm keeping that option open, depending on interest."

When Cornwell was a student at Duke — an elite, private university in Durham — he participated in the engineering school's robotic basketball contests, said mechanical engineering Professor Bob Kielb. He said students tried to build a robot that could retrieve a pingpong ball and toss it into a small hoop.

"He always did well in it," Kielb said. "He came up with completely unique ideas."

The Bus · 03-08-07, 01:22 PM

That's what a rope on the handle & a dog are for.

Minor Threat · 03-08-07, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bus

That's what sorority girls are for.

*fixed.....

kvrdave · 03-08-07, 01:29 PM

I want one and only one exists?

GoVegan · 03-08-07, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kvrdave

I want one and only one exists?

Yeah, I can't believe that filthy dog has the only one.

What a dog...dog...dog...

atari2600 · 03-08-07, 02:38 PM

link to the video?

Vibiana · 03-08-07, 02:42 PM

"What's this I hear about SPEAR CHUCKERS? Why, that is a horrible and racist thing to say, and ought not be said by anyone. It is insensitive and thoughtless. We must embrace cultural diversity and be understanding of our fellow humans.

"What? .... oh, never mind."

Red Dog · 03-08-07, 02:49 PM

I saw this earlier today. Awesome.

Numanoid · 03-08-07, 02:49 PM

Noisy little thing.

Damfino · 03-08-07, 02:58 PM

This guy is a hero to bachelors everywhere!

nodeerforamonth · 03-08-07, 03:01 PM

Yeah, but is there any kind of GOOD beer that comes in 12 oz cans?

PixyJunket · 03-08-07, 03:06 PM

Miller Lite? What a girl.

Tracer Bullet · 03-08-07, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodeerforamonth

Yeah, but is there any kind of GOOD beer that comes in 12 oz cans?

Exactly what I was going to post. It's now even easier to drink terrible beer!

The Bus · 03-08-07, 03:10 PM

It's obvious that there's an almost-naked invisible man tossing the beer cans. The man (or woman) in question forgot to take off their shoes, visible in the beginning of the third shot.

Minor Threat · 03-08-07, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bus

It's obvious that there's an almost-naked invisible man tossing the beer cans. The man (or woman) in question forgot to take off their shoes, visible in the beginning of the third shot.

Good catch - I knew it was too good to be true.....

movie diva · 03-08-07, 03:53 PM

i would just put the fridge next to the couch.

Numanoid · 03-08-07, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PixyJunket

Miller Lite? What a girl.

You expect more from a guy that watches the game on a 27" TV from a mile away while clutching a basketball?

Numanoid · 03-08-07, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by movie diva

i would just put the fridge next to the couch.

Lateralus · 03-08-07, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodeerforamonth

Yeah, but is there any kind of GOOD beer that comes in 12 oz cans?

Yeah anybody that has a Beer Chucker does not have good taste in beers.

03-08-07, 01:22 PM	#2
The Bus DVD Talk Godfather Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: New York Posts: 51,655	That's what a rope on the handle & a dog are for. __________________ Movies: 2002 / 03 / 04 / 05 / 06 / 07 / 08 / 09 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 2013 "Too much disclaiming in this post." – Dr. Mabuse

03-08-07, 01:29 PM	#4
kvrdave DVD Talk God Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 79,313	I want one and only one exists? __________________ Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. - C.S. Lewis

03-08-07, 02:42 PM	#7
Vibiana DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Living in a van down by the river Posts: 11,084	"What's this I hear about SPEAR CHUCKERS? Why, that is a horrible and racist thing to say, and ought not be said by anyone. It is insensitive and thoughtless. We must embrace cultural diversity and be understanding of our fellow humans. "What? .... oh, never mind." __________________ Vibiana hooks up with chicks, she's more of a winner than most of the internet. -- mndtrp "If everyone you know is doing it, the only thing to do is rush into a marriage. It'll turn out great so don't worry about it." -- Jules Winfield Last edited by Vibiana; 03-08-07 at 02:46 PM.

03-08-07, 02:49 PM	#8
Red Dog DVD Talk God Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV) Posts: 104,581	I saw this earlier today. Awesome. __________________ "A question for you. Would you rather Bucknell make the NCAA's once every 20 years or so and get ass raped by teams like Kansas in the first round or have them drop down a rung to a confernce where they can compete for a title?" - Josh Hinkle 1st Round Final Scores: Bucknell 64 Kansas 63 \| Bucknell 59 Arkansas 55 Last edited by Red Dog; 03-08-07 at 02:53 PM.

03-08-07, 03:01 PM	#11
nodeerforamonth DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 7,318	Yeah, but is there any kind of GOOD beer that comes in 12 oz cans? __________________ "Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad." -nodeerforamonth

03-08-07, 02:38 PM	#6
atari2600 DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 7,677	link to the video?

03-08-07, 02:49 PM	#9
Numanoid DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Down in 'The Park' Posts: 27,066	Noisy little thing.

03-08-07, 02:58 PM	#10
Damfino DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 4,442	This guy is a hero to bachelors everywhere!

03-08-07, 03:06 PM	#12
PixyJunket DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 23,217	Miller Lite? What a girl. __________________ Twitter, Wii U and Xbox 360: PixyJunket

03-08-07, 03:10 PM	#14
The Bus DVD Talk Godfather Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: New York Posts: 51,655	It's obvious that there's an almost-naked invisible man tossing the beer cans. The man (or woman) in question forgot to take off their shoes, visible in the beginning of the third shot. __________________ Movies: 2002 / 03 / 04 / 05 / 06 / 07 / 08 / 09 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 2013 "Too much disclaiming in this post." – Dr. Mabuse

03-08-07, 03:53 PM	#16
movie diva DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 3,133	i would just put the fridge next to the couch. __________________ Be normal and the crowd will accept you... Be deranged and they will make you their leader. Fnord MINE ALL MINE Silence is golden; duct tape is silver. -Kittydreamer