Free flow mask

thingiverse

Some people claim they can't wear a mask because masks hinder their breathing. Others want to safeguard themselves while exercising without wearing a bulky mask. To address these concerns, I've created a mask that shields individuals from COVID-19 while allowing them to breathe normally through the mask. The design is largely based on my own ideas, but I drew inspiration from another printed mask that caught my eye. This innovative mask functions by employing a network of tubes wrapped around it. These tubes physically prevent respiratory droplets from escaping, ensuring they remain contained within the mask. Furthermore, there's a slight constriction in the center region of the tubes, which triggers the Venturi effect. As air rushes through this constricted area, it accelerates and causes virus-containing droplets to collide with the tube walls, effectively blocking them from reaching you or others. While this design is mostly complete, I'm confident that improvements can still be made. The underlying principles are solid, but no mask is perfect, after all. This mask can be easily printed using a wide range of materials (ABS, PLA, PETG, etc.), and it works well even at a relatively low fill rate of about 25%. Additionally, I've successfully downsized the design to create a kid-friendly version that's roughly 80-85% of the original size. Now, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this design. Any advice or suggestions for further improvements are more than welcome!