Ear-saving surgical mask straps

• Surgical masks are now worn the entire day by health care professionals and others. The straps typically wrap behind each ear. After wearing these for several days, the skin behind the ear starts to break down. This ear-saver design takes pressure away from the ears.

About this design

• Safer: You can don and doff the mask without touching it
• Less fuss: Attached to the mask means less risk of losing your ear-saver
• Less tangle: Especially for dense curly hair, no hooks to get tangled
• Pocketable: The two pieces clip together for storage when not in use
• Extendable: If needed, take the button piece from another pair to extend the clip another few inches. (Save the other piece as a spare!)
• Production considerations: Designed to print fast, and on smaller printers
• Cons: It does take a moment to attach to the mask. Mask users who change and discard masks very frequently may like the double-sided hook-based designs better.

Usage instructions

• Before use: Wipe with a cleaning solution, or spray with Hydrogen Peroxide
• Put one elastic band through a hole and wrap around
• Adjust so that the elastic strap forms a triangle
• Repeat for the second piece
• Clip behind the head
• After use: Unhook (or cut off) the mask, and clip the two pieces together for storage
• Discard if broken

Changelog

• 4/18/2020: (current version) Added small catch opposite the button to allow clipping together for pocketability
• 4/12/2020: Modified shape of the button and reduction of surface extending past the button, more secure attachment while being less sensitive to print quality affecting the diameter of holes; added attachment point where the mask straps are pulled through.
• 4/6/2020: Initial two-piece version with holes and button at the end of one piece.

Suggested slicer settings (4mm nozzle)

• Print time: ~12 minutes/pair (5 pairs every 56min on a Flashforge Finder)
• 0.4mm first layer; 0.3mm subsequent layers
• No more than 20mm/sec speed for internal exterior, i.e. the holes
• No more than 40mm/sec for external exterior
• No more than 15mm/sec speed for top surface, to smooth out imperfections

Suggested Slicer Settings (6mm nozzle)

• Print time: ~8 minutes/pair (12 pairs every 1h 43min on an Ender 3)
• 0.55mm first layer; 0.5mm subsequent layers
• No more than 20mm/sec speed for internal exterior, i.e. the holes
• No more than 40mm/sec for external exterior
• No more than 15mm/sec speed for top surface, to smooth out imperfections

Friendly Suggestions

• PLA works great, but PETG is acceptable
• If using PETG, expect a fair bit more stringing, which may get tangled in hair if not removed in post-processing
• Any color is fine
• When creating a layout, leave 1-2mm between parts. Locate buttons close together on the build plate to avoid unwanted X-Y travel when the buttons are printed.

Post-processing

• Clean with soap and water, let dry
• Put pre-connected pairs in small plastic bag
• Add instructions inside the bag, with text facing out (see printable example below)