Thin, single-thickness mask strap / band with additional smaller hooks (0.5 mm thick)

thingiverse

This mask band design was refined over many rounds of extensive iterative testing at a 217-bed hospital in Edmonds, Washington which has 1400+ clinical and support staff operating under universal masking. This design has been found to be more comfortable and secure compared to the original NIH reviewed version by Marslam and Suraky, as it is lighter in weight and comforms better to most wearer’s head shape, size, and hairstyle without slipping. The band is made up of a single uniform 0.5 mm thickness which provides a balance of durability and flexibility. As the original design was found to be too big for some wearers, an additional set of inner hooks was added. In addition to relieving the discomfort caused by wearing surgical masks over the ears for extended periods of time, we have also found that these mask bands have helped create a better mask fit against wearers’ faces based on reports of less air gaps, improved fit across nose and cheeks, and less fogging on glasses and face shields. This has been especially important with masks that are being reused and have become stretched out. These bands have been printed in PLA, PETG, and ABS with 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm hot ends. Our print time is approximately 3 minutes per unit with a 0.8 mm hot end. We have found this 0.5 mm thickness to be preferred over thicker and thinner designs, but the thickness can be adjusted as desired by scaling the model in the z direction. The included 2D .dxf file has all curved features defined by continuous arcs rather than as splines, which should facilitate further design changes and improve laser cutting quality if used for that purpose. A version in which material has been removed from the arms of the band is provided as well. Although we do not find it preferable for the vast majority of users, a longer version with an additional set of outer hooks is provided. Prints should be allowed to cool before removal to prevent warping. --- Usage tips: We have found it easiest for most users to put on these mask bands by first putting the mask loops over their ears as usual and then transferring the loops onto the mask band. The mask band may fit more comfortably and securely with the arms facing downwards if it is being worn high up on the wearer’s head. Some users loop a hair tie through the hole in the middle of the band, allowing those with ponytails to easily keep the mask band affixed to their hair for the entire day. For a small percentage of users, the ear loops of their masks could not easily reach the outermost hooks of the mast band. We found it preferable to use rubber bands to extend the reach of the ear loops rather than to create longer mask bands. We found that longer mask bands could interfere with their use of face shields or catch on the wires of medical equipment. The length of the present design serves the vast majority of wearers effectively.