Experimenting with retainers - that force mask cupping for increased breathability

Removable plastic retainer

Brass wire retainer

Comparison

The brass wire (could be copper or an alloy) retainer leaves more fabric available for someone to breathe through. In other words the plastic could obscure some of the fabric and decrease breathability a little.

The plastic retainer is way more removable and replaceable. It takes about 5 seconds to fit in the mask, whereas the wire one takes 20 seconds and some stretching of the material/stitches to put in place. The mask will degrade and fall apart if you keep doing that.

Plastic wins because it is much less intricate and damaging to the mask.

It'd be great if the 3D printing community could make some removable retainer design that was simpler here.I chatted to /u/Deskportal on this a week ago, and here's how far he got - https://www.reddit.com/r/COVIDProjects/comments/g3e8sw/mask_retaining_ring_revised_now_with_standoff_air/