Spanish couple invent cordless mask that stays on using magnets

Daniel Alaguero, 47, from Avilés, Asturias says: “The idea came to me after my first day back at work [after a month and a half on furlough] in a mask, which I wore for eight hours. That same day I designed a small, basic prototype with double-sided sticky-tape, and from there on, I embarked on a journey that has taken four months.”

He had tried out 'loads of different fixing systems' which 'did not work', until his wife suggested he tried with magnets and a flexible metallic 'bridge' over the nose.

“The mask works with any type of frame, and I don't think the use of magnets will pose a problem, as they don't stick directly to the skin,” Daniel says.

Whether they are held on by elastic or ties going round the back of the head or by loops over each ear, masks can become uncomfortable for this reason, leaving painful marks in the skin.

Also, the elastic stretches to the point where masks no longer stay in place, or in some cases, become detached – something that always seems to happen when the wearer is out of the house, in a public place, and does not have a spare one to hand.

Daniel's 'magnetic mask' is a design aimed at the reusable FFP2 types, since they are rigid enough to keep the cordless fastenings in place.

A variation on the theme is an elastic-less mask designed to adhere to spectacles, for those who wear these all or most of the time.

He is already negotiating with various companies to arrange for his creation to be manufactured, distributed and sold.

“There are people interested, but the problem is that they want to manufacture it only, not to sell it,” explains the boiler and heating engineer.

“I've found a company in Catalunya which specialises entirely in manufacturing magnets, and which has shown the most interest. They're prepared to buy a machine to make them, but if they're not retailed, it means they won't go through the required quality control and effectiveness tests; I'd have to deal with all that myself.”

Another company, this time in Daniel's home region, is also negotiating.

“They asked me if the mask was certified already [as safe and effective], because what everyone's afraid of is that they might not past the ministry of industry or health authority tests,” Daniel reveals.

“My design doesn't change the fabric of the mask; it's the same mask, just that there are magnets built into it.

“We're looking into whether it's feasible to have them on sale sometime between now and the end of the year.”

He says one of the advantages of his 'magnet mask' over the ones with straps or loops is 'if you're eating or drinking, you can attach it to your clothing or even put it on the table', since the magnets mean the main 'body' of the mask does not come into contact with the surface, meaning all you have to do is wipe the magnets with hand-sanitiser before putting it back on and there is no risk of viral particles that may be attached to it being left behind on the table.

Daniel was interviewed about his creation and his wife's ground-breaking idea on the Gijón branch of national radio station Cadena SER, which tweeted the above photograph of the inventor in his mask via @SER_Gijon.