Breath alcohol measurement system with a disposable mouthpiece

Abstract

System (100) for measuring breath alcohol, comprising - a disposable mouthpiece (10), wherein the disposable mouthpiece (10) is made of a biodegradable material, wherein the disposable mouthpiece (10) is obtainable by injection molding, and wherein the disposable mouthpiece (10) is biodegradable by self-composting, wherein the biodegradable material is a fiber composite material, wherein a thermoplastic forms a matrix of the composite material, and wherein the fiber composite material comprises plant fibers and / or wood fibers and / or paper fibers as filler; and - a breathalyzer (20), wherein the breathalyzer (20) is configured to receive the disposable mouthpiece (10) in order to establish a fluidic connection between the disposable mouthpiece (10) and the breathalyzer (20).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for measuring breath alcohol comprising a disposable mouthpiece.

[0002] For breath alcohol testing, a disposable mouthpiece is usually required for a test subject to provide a breath sample for hygiene reasons and to avoid cross-contamination.

[0003] Breathalyzers typically have a receptacle for such a disposable mouthpiece. A user can insert the disposable mouthpiece into the receptacle before use and remove and dispose of it after use.

[0004] Such disposable mouthpieces for breathalyzers are known.

[0005] WO 2021 111 481 A1 discloses a composite material with a matrix of thermoplastic material and a filler made from sediment from viticulture. The composite material can be processed by injection molding.

[0006] DE 10 2020 103 324 B3 discloses a mouthpiece comprising structural material. The structural material includes bamboo, hemp, agave, palm leaves, and / or coconut shell, for example, in the form of fibers and / or powder. Said structural material is biodegradable. Other substances and / or additives in the mouthpiece may also be biodegradable.

[0007] US 2023 / 0 011 201 A1 discloses a composite material consisting of a biofiller and a thermoplastic matrix. The biofiller originates from the lees, which are removed as a solid / liquid residue from the bottom of containers containing wine or must after fermentation, during storage, or after other treatment of wine or must, as well as after filtration, centrifugation, or a process for separating wine or must. A method for producing such a biofiller and three methods for producing an article using such a composite material are also described.

[0008] The publication by CHAN, Clement Matthew, et al., "Composites of wood and biodegradable thermoplastics: A review." Polymer reviews, 2018, Vol. 58, No. 3, pp. 444-494, https: / / doi.org. / 10.1080 / 15583724.2017.1380039, describes various composites made of biodegradable thermoplastics and wood fillers. In particular, polyhydroxyalkanoates and thermoplastic starches are described.

[0009] A disadvantage of known disposable mouthpieces is that the materials used for their manufacture, for example plastics such as polypropylene, are often not easily returned to the recycling cycle due to improper disposal.

[0010] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a system for measuring breath alcohol with a disposable mouthpiece whose environmental impact is improved.

[0011] These and other objects are achieved by the subject matter of patent claim 1.

[0012] Further advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims.

[0013] According to the invention, a system for measuring breath alcohol is provided, comprising a disposable mouthpiece, wherein the disposable mouthpiece is made of a biodegradable material, wherein the disposable mouthpiece is obtainable by injection molding, wherein the disposable mouthpiece is biodegradable through home composting, wherein the biodegradable material is a fiber composite material, wherein a thermoplastic forms a matrix of the composite material, and wherein the fiber composite material comprises plant fibers and / or wood fibers and / or paper fibers as filler. The system further comprises a breath alcohol measuring device, wherein the breath alcohol measuring device is configured to receive the disposable mouthpiece in order to establish a fluidic connection between the disposable mouthpiece and the breath alcohol measuring device.

[0014] According to the invention, a disposable mouthpiece for use with a breathalyzer is understood to mean a mouthpiece which can be used interchangeably with a breathalyzer and is designed to be disposed of after use and is further designed to direct an alcohol-containing exhaled gas of a human test subject towards the breathalyzer.

[0015] According to the invention, a breathalyzer is understood to be a device for measuring the alcohol content in the exhaled air (breath alcohol) of a human subject. The breathalyzer can be stationary (i.e., suitable for use at a fixed location), transportable (i.e., suitable for mobile use, for example, in vehicles), or portable, in particular handheld.

[0016] A disposable mouthpiece is particularly designed to direct alcohol-containing exhaled gas from a human subject toward a breathalyzer if it is suitable for contact with a person's mucous membranes and is suitable for directing alcohol-containing exhaled gas toward the breathalyzer without influencing the composition of the exhaled gas (e.g., by absorbing exhaled gas components). These properties are particularly met by inert materials that neither release substances to the skin or mucous membranes, i.e., are particularly compatible with regard to cytotoxicity and sensitivity, nor absorb alcohol. Furthermore, the disposable mouthpiece must be dimensionally stable.

[0017] These requirements are not met in particular by porous and / or hydrophilic mouthpieces, for example mouthpieces made of cardboard or paper.

[0018] For the purposes of the present invention, a biodegradable material is defined as a material that is at least 90% degradable by living organisms or their enzymes through composting, preferably completely degradable (up to mineralization). Composting is preferably understood to mean any form of composting, i.e., both industrial and semi-industrial composting, as well as home composting.

[0019] The object of the invention is achieved by the fact that the disposable mouthpiece is biodegradable. The mouthpiece can therefore be composted after use. This improves the environmental compatibility of the disposable mouthpiece and consequently its environmental impact.

[0020] Because the disposable mouthpiece is available by injection molding, the disposable mouthpiece according to the invention also has the advantage that it can be manufactured on existing production lines, preferably requiring only the injection molding tools to be adapted. Furthermore, the disposable mouthpiece can thus be manufactured with high dimensional accuracy and a high degree of automation.

[0021] Thus, the disposable mouthpiece according to the invention is also advantageous overall with regard to manufacturability and geometric component properties.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the invention, the biodegradable material is biodegradable by self-composting.

[0023] Home composting is understood to mean composting that is not carried out industrially or semi-industrially and that can be carried out, for example, by private individuals.

[0024] Home composting includes, in particular, home composting and garden composting, for example using compost heaps, composting devices, thermocomposters or worm composters.

[0025] A material is biodegradable through home composting if it can be composted within a period of up to 12 months, preferably up to 6 months, at low temperatures, for example 25 +- 5 °C, compared to industrial composting.

[0026] By using self-compostable materials, the environmental impact of the disposable mouthpiece can be further improved.

[0027] Some biodegradable materials are therefore only industrially degradable, but not self-compostable, such as polylactide (PLA). Such materials are therefore not suitable for the manufacture of the disposable mouthpiece in this preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0028] The material includes a thermoplastic.

[0029] Thermoplastics are particularly suitable for processing in injection molding processes and can be processed in both hot runner and cold runner processes.

[0030] Preferably, the thermoplastic material is a renewable raw material or is based on a renewable raw material.

[0031] In this respect, a renewable raw material is understood – in contrast to a non-renewable raw material – to be material of biological origin, with the exception of material embedded in geological formations and / or transformed into fossil material.

[0032] A thermoplastic material is based on such a raw material within the meaning of the invention if it was produced using, admixing or otherwise utilising such a raw material and is also a thermoplastic.

[0033] By making the disposable mouthpiece not only biodegradable but also preferably made from a renewable raw material, regenerative materials can be used to manufacture the disposable mouthpiece. This further reduces the environmental impact of the disposable mouthpiece.

[0034] The biodegradable material is a composite material, with the thermoplastic forming a matrix of the composite material.

[0035] A composite material is understood to be a material made of at least two different materials bonded together. At least one material forms a matrix of the composite material, which embeds at least one other material, in particular a filler.

[0036] In this way, the shrinkage properties of the disposable mouthpiece can be improved. By using inexpensive fillers, the cost of the disposable mouthpiece can also be reduced. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the disposable mouthpiece can be improved.

[0037] For example, with the right material selection, higher softening temperatures can be achieved compared to pure plastic. This is particularly advantageous for disposable mouthpieces, as they can be carried in cars, for example, and can therefore reach high temperatures in summer due to sunlight.

[0038] The composite material comprises at least one natural substance as filler, preferably with a weight proportion of not more than 40%, particularly preferably with a weight proportion of not more than 30%.

[0039] A natural substance is defined as a substance that has not been artificially produced but may have been modified through processing. Natural substances include natural products, including naturally occurring organic substances, and naturally occurring inorganic substances.

[0040] Examples of natural substances include lime, flour from plant shells or polysaccharides such as cellulose or starch.

[0041] By using a natural substance as a filler, the disposable mouthpiece can be further improved in terms of its environmental impact.

[0042] Furthermore, the processing of natural materials allows the reduction of the mold temperature during injection molding, which advantageously reduces the energy required to produce the disposable mouthpiece.

[0043] By using a natural material with a weight fraction of not more than 40%, particularly preferably with a weight fraction of not more than 30%, a compromise can be achieved between low component costs and good mechanical properties of the disposable mouthpiece.

[0044] Preferably, the composite material is a fiber composite material and the natural material preferably comprises plant fibers and / or wood fibers and / or paper fibers.

[0045] A fiber composite material is understood to be a composite material that has a fiber as a filler.

[0046] Fibres in this sense can be any type of fibre, for example natural fibres and / or (possibly artificially created) organic fibres and / or (possibly artificially created) inorganic fibres.

[0047] However, at least the disposable mouthpiece comprises a natural fiber as a filler, i.e. a naturally occurring biogenic and / or mineral fiber and / or a fiber based on a naturally occurring biogenic and / or mineral fiber.

[0048] Wood fibers are fibers made from cellulose and / or wood pulp and / or fibers based on cellulose and / or wood pulp.

[0049] For the purposes of this invention, plant fibers refer to both fibers of plant origin and plant products containing or based on fibers of plant origin. An example of such a plant product is flour made from sunflower husks.

[0050] The use of a fiber composite material advantageously allows for further improvement of the mechanical properties of the disposable mouthpiece. Furthermore, inexpensive natural materials can be used as fillers, which advantageously reduces component costs.

[0051] Preferably, the thermoplastic comprises or is based on a native polymer and / or a bio-based polymer, in particular on lignin, starch, cellulose, polybutylene succinate and / or polyhydroxy fatty acid.

[0052] In particular, polylactide (PLA) is not a polymer according to the invention in the event that the biodegradable material is biodegradable by self-composting.

[0053] A native polymer is understood to be a naturally occurring polymer.

[0054] A bio-based polymer is understood to be a polymer that has been produced based on a biogenic raw material, in particular based on a native polymer, for example by chemical modification.

[0055] It has been found within the scope of the invention that (biodegradable, preferably self-compostable, thermoplastic) native and / or bio-based polymers are particularly suitable for the production of a disposable mouthpiece because they are readily available.

[0056] Lignin, starch, cellulose, polybutylene succinate, and polyhydroxy fatty acid have also been found to have good resistance to alcohol. Furthermore, all of these substances are particularly well-suited to biodegradation through home composting.

[0057] Preferably, the composite material further comprises an additive, in particular a mineral filler, such as calcium carbonate and / or a plasticizer, preferably triethyl citrate.

[0058] This can advantageously improve the manufacturability of the disposable mouthpiece with regard to flow behavior and shrinkage during injection molding. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the component, particularly its modulus of elasticity and impact strength, can be further improved.

[0059] Preferably, the plant fibers comprise fibers selected from flax, hemp, sisal, kenaf and / or bamboo.

[0060] It has been found within the scope of the invention that the aforementioned plant fibers are particularly cost-effective and easily available, so that the costs of the disposable mouthpiece can be advantageously reduced.

[0061] Preferably, the disposable mouthpiece may include a check valve to provide a non-return valve.

[0062] This can advantageously improve the hygienic design of the disposable mouthpiece.

[0063] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the biodegradable material is a fiber composite material, wherein the thermoplastic forms a matrix of the fiber composite material, and wherein the fiber composite material comprises at least one natural substance as a filler. Suitable natural substances in this particularly preferred embodiment are plant fibers in the form of flour from sunflower husks, for example, with a proportion of 30%. The thermoplastic in this particularly preferred embodiment is starch or PBS. Particularly preferably, an additive is additionally used, which can be rock flour, for example, with a proportion of 10-15%.

[0064] In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the biodegradable material is a fiber composite material, wherein the thermoplastic forms a matrix of the fiber composite material and wherein the fiber composite material comprises at least one natural substance as a filler. Suitable natural substances in this particularly preferred embodiment are wood fibers, for example in the form of wood pulp or cellulose, and / or plant fibers, for example in the form of cellulose. The thermoplastic in this particularly preferred embodiment is starch and / or cellulose, for example in the form of cellulose propionate. Particularly preferably, at least one additive is additionally used, for example chalk powder and / or triethyl citrate.

[0065] The use of a previously described disposable mouthpiece with a breathalyzer is also disclosed.

[0066] In order to establish the fluidic connection between the disposable mouthpiece and the breathalyzer, both the disposable mouthpiece according to the invention and the breathalyzer preferably have a respective, corresponding interface. For example, the disposable mouthpiece can be connected directly or indirectly via a hose to a measuring opening of the breathalyzer.

[0067] To produce a disposable mouthpiece according to the invention, the aforementioned materials can, for example, be in granular form and liquefied during an injection molding process and injected into an injection mold under pressure. After the material has transitioned to a solid state, in which the disposable mouthpiece is subsequently formed, the finished disposable mouthpiece can be removed.

[0068] These and other features are also evident in the following figure description. It shows: Fig. 1a an embodiment of a disposable mouthpiece according to the invention in side view with broken-away sectional view, Fig. 1b shows an embodiment of a disposable mouthpiece according to the invention in perspective view, Fig. 2 an embodiment of a system according to the invention for measuring breath alcohol.

[0069] As in Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the invention provides a disposable mouthpiece 10 for use with a breathalyzer 20 as part of a breathalyzer system 100. The disposable mouthpiece 10 is made of a biodegradable material, and the disposable mouthpiece 10 is obtainable by injection molding.

[0070] In the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. In the example shown in Figure 2, the disposable mouthpiece 10 can have an air inlet 1 and an air outlet 2. Exhaled air from a subject can be passed through the disposable mouthpiece 10 via the air inlet 1 and released into the environment via the air outlet 2. The alcohol content in the exhaled air is measured by the breathalyzer 20 via one or more outlets 4, 5.

[0071] A measurement of further parameters, for example a pressure during exhalation, is possible via one or more outlets 4, 5.

[0072] The disposable mouthpiece 10 according to the invention is replaceable.

[0073] In the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. In the example shown in Figure 2, the disposable mouthpiece 10 may have a spacer 3 configured to space a subject's mouth from the breathalyzer 20 when the disposable mouthpiece 10 is inserted into the breathalyzer 20. Furthermore, the spacer 3 may be configured to function as an ejection aid to facilitate ejection of the disposable mouthpiece 10 from the breathalyzer 20 after the breathalyzer measurement has been performed.

[0074] In an embodiment not shown, the disposable mouthpiece 10 may have a check valve to provide a non-return valve.

[0075] The breathalyzer 20 can be stationary, portable or portable, in particular handheld. Fig. 2, the breathalyzer 20 is a handheld breathalyzer 20, as indicated by a hand H of a user.

[0076] In the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. 2, the biodegradable material is biodegradable through self-composting.

[0077] In the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. In the disposable mouthpiece 10 shown in Figure 2, the biodegradable material preferably comprises a thermoplastic.

[0078] In the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. In the disposable mouthpiece 10 shown in Figure 2, the thermoplastic material is preferably a renewable raw material or is based on a renewable raw material.

[0079] In the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. In the disposable mouthpiece 10 shown in Figure 2, the biodegradable material is preferably a composite material, wherein the thermoplastic material forms a matrix of the composite material.

[0080] In the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. In the disposable mouthpiece 10 shown in Figure 2, the composite material preferably comprises at least one natural substance as filler, preferably with a weight proportion of not more than 40%, particularly preferably with a weight proportion of not more than 30%.

[0081] In the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. In the disposable mouthpiece 10 shown in Figure 2, the composite material is preferably a fiber composite material and the natural material preferably comprises plant fibers and / or wood fibers and / or paper fibers.

[0082] In the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. In the disposable mouthpiece 10 shown in Figure 2, the thermoplastic material preferably comprises or is based on a native polymer and / or a bio-based polymer, in particular on lignin, starch, cellulose, polybutylene succinate and / or polyhydroxy fatty acid.

[0083] In Fig. Figure 2 also shows an example of using a previously described disposable mouthpiece 10 with a previously described breathalyzer 20. Accordingly, the disposable mouthpiece 10 can, for example, be inserted into a receptacle of the breathalyzer 20 to enable a breathalyzer measurement.

[0084] In Fig. Figure 2 further illustrates an example of a system 100 for measuring breath alcohol. The system 100 includes a previously described disposable mouthpiece 10 and a previously described breath alcohol measuring device 20. The breath alcohol measuring device 20 is configured to receive the disposable mouthpiece 10 to establish a fluid connection between the disposable mouthpiece 10 and the breath alcohol measuring device 20.

[0085] In an example not shown, a disposable mouthpiece 10 as described above can be connected indirectly via a hose to a measuring opening of a stationary breathalyzer 20, thus forming another example of a system for measuring breath alcohol.

[0086] All features and configurations described herein may be combined with one another as desired, provided that this is not contradictory or involves alternatives. List of reference symbols 1 air inlet 2 air outlet 3 spacers 4, 5 Outlet 10 disposable mouthpieces 20 breathalyzer 100 Breath Alcohol Testing System H Hand of a user

Claims

[1] A system (100) for measuring breath alcohol, comprising - a disposable mouthpiece (10), wherein the disposable mouthpiece (10) is made of a biodegradable material, wherein the disposable mouthpiece (10) is obtainable by injection molding, and wherein the disposable mouthpiece (10) is biodegradable by self-composting, wherein the biodegradable material is a fiber composite material, wherein a thermoplastic forms a matrix of the composite material, and wherein the fiber composite material comprises plant fibers and / or wood fibers and / or paper fibers as filler; and - a breathalyzer (20), wherein the breathalyzer (20) is configured to receive the disposable mouthpiece (10) in order to establish a fluidic connection between the disposable mouthpiece (10) and the breathalyzer (20). [2] System (100) according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material is a renewable raw material or is based on a renewable raw material. [3] System (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composite material comprises as filler the at least one natural substance with a weight fraction of not more than 40%, preferably with a weight fraction of not more than 30%. [4] System (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thermoplastic comprises or is based on a native polymer and / or a bio-based polymer, in particular on lignin, starch, cellulose, polybutylene succinate and / or polyhydroxy fatty acid.

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