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 ...
If it were copper it would kill everything.
I call mine “My Hoodie Sleeve”.
Helpful tip; when opening doors, always pick the door less used, evident by the wear on the metal or paint.
There are more righties than lefties and the left door will always be the one less touched.
thats pretty slick ... think i’ll make one out of wood on my bandsaw ...
Also if someone holds the door open for you and you have to grab it, grab it way up high where nobody touches.
Yep.
I’m the queen of opening doors oddly.
Always have been.
I really like push doors so I can shove them open with my butt.
:D
What a kid! I wish him great success! His parents should be applauded as well.
Yet, you handle the now infected hook with your bare hands. Just wear gloves.
An invention is needed for those infernal ball-shaped doorknobs. They are much worse than handles. Hard to grip, and you must grasp them with force, pushing the germs and viruses deeper into your skin.
I’m surprised that people as intelligent as Fauci haven’t called for the immediate replacement of doorknobs with handles.
I take paper towels with me when I go out.
It is a nice feel good story. Another home schooler ... Since he’s a Californian, I hope he’s a smart teen (aka a Conservative Teen).
Yet, you handle the now infected hook with your bare hands. Just wear gloves.
_____________
It claims to be antimicrobial. The kid anticipated this.
https://www.safetouchprohandle.com/
“”I wanted to make sure it was good for the environment and the virus can’t survive on it,””
And he proved that HOW?
It says the boy has patented this item. Last time I checked, I thought it was a pretty big expense getting a patent. I had invented a couple items I thought might sell, but was held back because of the cost of the patent. There are those companies that advertise they will buy your inventions, but what I can see, don’t even waste your time with these, unless your invention is patented.....and then, only then, maybe.
I have never developed any idea that far. How much would you expect an invention similar to this would cost to patent?
I could have “invented” the Pet Rock...but I didn’t.
Those were fun, fun to look at in their little cardboard boxes. I never purchased one. They came out about the same time the Chia Plants were introduced.
Around 3 years ago, there was a simple spinning toy introduced on the market. This toy became immensely popular with both children and adults. Some sort of spinner.
The name eludes me. Anyhow, you don’t hear much about them anymore.
Gave it to a friend of mine....a VERY Conservative guy.
Can't tell you what we ended up doing with it...when all the "hair" died.
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