Update 14/4/2020 Rev2 Improved side strap connection

I need feedback on the shape of the mask though.

Key points

1 Uses household tissues as the filter.

2 Large filter area. This reduces the flow rate per area and allows more layers (12 – 16) to be used, thus increasing filtration efficiency.

3 Comfortable because the only thing against your skin is the tissue.

4 Shaped to fit snugly around the nose to make a good seal

5 Everything you need is printed, apart from the filter itself. No need for rubber bands, elastic or shoelaces!

6 Adjustable side straps.

7 Only 15 grams of material (PLA) and 1 hour 8 mins to print.

The idea of this mask is to offer some protection from the coronavirus.

It consists of only 2 parts, the 3D printed bits and some kind of filter. It's designed to be used with normal facial tissues, the kind you can buy in many shops to blow your nose on. The finer the better.

It is absolutely not meant to replace a proper N95 medical mask. However, it will offer some protection where no other option is available. It's very simple and just holds the tissue snugly in place around your nose and mouth.

It is very economical in terms of material usage and takes just over an hour to print.

I have only just finished this and it hasn't been tested to see if it fits many people. I need feedback. Especially regarding the size and shape. I will attempt to make modifications and upload them quickly.

There was some research done on the effectiveness of homemade masks. They tested a range of household materials (surprisingly not tissues though). See link below. They all show a marked improvement over not using anything at all. If anyone can find any research on how effective tissues are, please make me aware of it so I can put in a link to it. Tissues looks extremely fine to me so I can't see why they wouldn't work.

INSTRUCTIONS

1 Take 2 tissues.

2 Open them out and place one on top of the other.

3 Fold them corner to corner. Depending on the tissues, this should give you 12 or 16 layers.

4 Find something approx. 6.5" or 165mm in diameter.

5 Place it on the tissue so that the folded edge is covered, and draw around it.

6 Cut it out. You can staple it around the edge but it's not totally necessary.

7 Take the printed parts.

8 Slide the side arms into the back and adjust. With the mask bit on your face, you just want to be able to get the back over your head.

9 It should look like the photo

10 Place the tissue on the back of the mask, in the middle and hold it with your fingers (like in the photo)

11 Place it over your mouth and nose.

12 While keeping it in place, slide your hands up the side arms and push the back down over your head.

You might need to adjust the length of the side arms to get it just right.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/0921A05A69A9419C862FA2F35F819D55/S1935789313000438a.pdf/testing_the_efficacy_of_homemade_masks_would_they_protect_in_an_influenza_pandemic.pdf