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12-year-old Bay Area boy invents 3-D printed device to limit spread of COVID-19, sells hundreds online
KTVU Fox 2 ^ | Debora Villalon

Posted on 05/10/2020 8:59:05 AM PDT by willk

A Bay Area boy has invented a device to battle the spread of coronavirus. It's a tool, made with a 3-D printer, to avoid touching surfaces with your hands.

"I was excited and surprised how many sales we got, I was very happy," said Mizan Rupan-Tompkins of South San Francisco.

The 12 year old demonstrated his creation at a nearby mall, entering stores using the small hook-like device to open doors without direct contact.

"I think most of the excitement is because of his age," said Mizan's mother Ronica Rupan

Tompkins, showing how a small puncher on the device can be used on keypads, at ATM's, cashiers, and gas stations.

"I really made it for my parents and now it's helping everyone," said Mizan, who came up with the idea early in the pandemic, when he saw his parents trying to avoid touching objects that might be contaminated.

"We were basically struggling using our sleeves," said his dad Raphael Tompkins.

At the time, hand sanitizer was in short supply.

"Since I couldn't find any, I was just using my sleeve, and he said let me print you something, and when he printed this for me it was perfect," recalled his mom Ronica.

After Mizan sold a few prototypes online, his "Safe Touch Pro" took off, and to date, he's sold about 300, with dozens of new orders daily at $14.99 each.

Mizan researched others stylus designs on the market, and makes his tool from plant-based plastic that is germ resistant.

"I wanted to make sure it was good for the environment and the virus can't survive on it," he explained.

A YouTube video with his device in action has generated even more demand.

(Excerpt) Read more at ktvu.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: 3ddevice; age12; covid19; fakenews; fraud; grabber; homeschool; invention; inventor; notinvented; nursinghomes; sanfrancisco
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Nice feel good story on Mother's Day.
1 posted on 05/10/2020 8:59:05 AM PDT by willk
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To: willk

“home schooled for the past 3 years”...


2 posted on 05/10/2020 9:04:47 AM PDT by Aria
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To: willk

3 posted on 05/10/2020 9:05:48 AM PDT by nwrep
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To: willk

Very nice. Now some Chinese shop has already carved out an injection mold and will be selling copies for 99 cents with free shipping on eBay.


4 posted on 05/10/2020 9:08:19 AM PDT by bigbob (Trust Trump. Trust the Plan)
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To: willk

Chinese knock offs to the stores/amazon in a few days!


5 posted on 05/10/2020 9:10:59 AM PDT by US_MilitaryRules (I'm not tired of Winning yet! Please, continue on!)
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To: bigbob

lol


6 posted on 05/10/2020 9:11:22 AM PDT by US_MilitaryRules (I'm not tired of Winning yet! Please, continue on!)
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To: willk

I think that’s a great story to read about. I’m sure his parents are proud of him. The device is not complex and other configurations would have worked just as well, but this boy has refined and PATENTED this idea. Everyone says to themselves: Oh, I could have done that same thing.” but they didn’t, while he did.

The piece is made from biodegradable matter. That will be a big selling point in this part of the country.
A year or two from now, when The Virus is all but forgotten, these items will also be forgotten or discarded, but right now, the market for such devices is hot and getting hotter.

I don’t understand some here calling it ‘fraud or fake news’.
What is being faked?


7 posted on 05/10/2020 9:13:26 AM PDT by lee martell
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To: willk

Nice story.

Not sure how the “virus” cant transfer to the surface of the plastic?

I think he said he made this of “plant based” plastic.

?


8 posted on 05/10/2020 9:13:41 AM PDT by HypatiaTaught (You can never be truly safe unless you are truly free)
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To: Aria

Homeschooled kids are the kindest, smartest, most independent-thinking and resourceful kids out there! Leftists hate that.


9 posted on 05/10/2020 9:13:55 AM PDT by DivineMomentsOfTruth ("There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily." -GW)
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To: willk

It’s a weird world when a 13-year-old boy can “print” a device to protect you from the bat flu but a vaccine won’t be available for 18-24 months.


10 posted on 05/10/2020 9:15:33 AM PDT by GSWarrior
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To: GSWarrior

Do you really not know the difference between a vaccine and a 3D printed plastic?


11 posted on 05/10/2020 9:17:14 AM PDT by stuck_in_new_orleans
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To: willk
But has the CDC reviewed and approved?

Did the Governor of California review and approve? Also did the Governor allow him to start up his factory?

Did he file with the Federal, State and Local Governments to start a business?

Did he do product testing with engineers, scientists and medical personnel?

Does he have product liability?

Does his product carry the warning label required by California cancer warning 65?

Does the package meet California Statewide Packaging Laws.

Is he in compliance with Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act?

Did he just think he just could come up with a solution without paying the Vig?

12 posted on 05/10/2020 9:17:41 AM PDT by Lockbox
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To: stuck_in_new_orleans

Run along.


13 posted on 05/10/2020 9:18:36 AM PDT by GSWarrior
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To: GSWarrior

No really, do you not know the difference? I’m a little embarrassed for you.


14 posted on 05/10/2020 9:20:02 AM PDT by stuck_in_new_orleans
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To: willk

15 posted on 05/10/2020 9:24:30 AM PDT by Arones (When Leftists are in a minority, then they look for other ways to win.)
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To: willk

Did Fauci and Brix approve? Cuz they are the ones running this country.


16 posted on 05/10/2020 9:25:48 AM PDT by moviefan8
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To: willk

Invented? I’ve seen adds for similar items for the past two months.


17 posted on 05/10/2020 9:26:13 AM PDT by Arones (When Leftists are in a minority, then they look for other ways to win.)
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To: willk
Sorry, but the twelve year old didn’t ‘invent’ this device. He just created the Solidworks file to 3D print them.

I subscribe to a YouTube channel that cuts these out of Copper with a waterjet and sells them. Copper is a natural anti-viral surface and is better than 3D printed plastic.

18 posted on 05/10/2020 9:29:26 AM PDT by Yo-Yo ( is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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Door Dawg


19 posted on 05/10/2020 9:30:33 AM PDT by Arones (When Leftists are in a minority, then they look for other ways to win.)
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To: Lockbox

I already have one of these. It’s called a napkin or paper towel.


20 posted on 05/10/2020 9:35:09 AM PDT by conservative98
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