By Laura Michell
A Thomastown manufacturer is on a mission to make face masks as comfortable as possible.
PACKQUEEN has designed an Ear Saver Band – an expandable piece of plastic that sits behind your head which masks can be looped onto –to reduce the irritation and tension the elastic loops can cause on the back of your ears.
Owner Monique Samara said the band was designed to relieve the pain often experienced from wearing face masks.
“We had a number of customers asking if we had any product that would help reduce tension…so our team immediately got to work designing the Ear Saver Band,” she said.
Ms Samara said PACKQUEEN usually manufactures postage, gift and food packaging but began making personal protective equipment, including face shields for essential workers, in April.
She said the past few months had been busy as she juggled her role as a mum to Oden, 8, and Zoe, 4, while also designing the face shields and Ear Saver Band.
“The primary focus of these projects has been to help the community by producing products in demand by front line workers and keeping manufacturing jobs within Australia.
“We have been able to continue to employ a number of individuals as a result of adapting our business model to producing products in demand due to COVID-19.”
