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'Toepener' a hands-free solution for restrooms

If you've ever been in a public bathroom and tried to avoid touching the door handle on the way out you're not alone.
/ Source: KULR-TV

If you've ever been in a public bathroom and tried to avoid touching the door handle on the way out you're not alone.

Now, a simple new device created by students at the University of Minnesota may help you avoid those handles and those germs.

Zach Ratkowski said, "this is the Toepener, kind of a clever name we came up with, kind of combines the toe, the foot, the opener, simple as it can be but that's exactly what this is." A simple way to pull open the door with your foot rather than using your hand.

(In the accompanying video clip, Ratowski is incorrectly identified as Josh Reimnitz.)

A group of students from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota came up with the idea. Their professor came up with $15,000 of seed money to manufacture and sell the product and the Toepener was born.

Tavern owner Phil Weber said, "first you need to find your own style to do this, but you just walk right up, put the bottom of your shoe on and it's open." The Park Tavern in St. Louis Park is one of the first establishments to use it.

Phil said, "I pulled a calf muscle the first time I did it, I was trying to negotiate it, but now, I just zip it right open, you don't have to touch a thing." Josh said, "It's just a door, so to see something else on it it's pretty evident that it's there, just reach in."

Hands free and you're off germ free. Their motto: Use your head, use your foot. The Toepener retails for $49.99.