Laser gas concentration measurement device and packaging machine having the same

Abstract

To provide a laser gas concentration measurement device which prevents a sensor protrusion of a first suction unit provided at a tip of a laser generation unit and a sensor protrusion of a second suction unit provided at a tip of a laser reception unit from causing damage, such as scratches and pinholes, to a packaging container (object under measurement) while sucking, and to provide a packaging machine having the same.SOLUTION: A laser gas concentration measurement device G of the present invention comprises a first suction unit 6 and a second suction unit 7, each being provided with a packaging container damage preventer 72 for preventing sensor protrusions 70, 71 from damaging a packaging container H when the packaging container H is sucked.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a laser type gas concentration measuring device capable of measuring the concentration of a specific gas in a packaging container, and a packaging machine equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] When the packaged item is a food, in particular, gas replacement packaging is carried out in which the air remaining in the packaging container is removed and an inert gas such as nitrogen is filled in order to extend the storage period and expiration date. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an inert gas filling method in which the packaged item is placed in the packaging container and an inert gas is filled in through a nozzle inserted in the packaging container, thereby replacing the oxygen in the packaging container with the inert gas.

[0003] As a method for measuring the oxygen concentration remaining in a packaging container in which an item is packaged in product inspection, the applicant of the present application has proposed a measurement method using a laser type gas concentration measuring device in Patent Document 2, for example.

[0004] Incidentally, the measurement method using this laser type gas concentration measurement device utilizes the property that most gas molecules absorb light of a specific wavelength to count the number of gas molecules within a certain distance and measure the gas concentration. Therefore, it is important that the tip of the laser generating unit or the tip of the laser receiving unit of the laser type gas concentration measurement device is in close contact with the packaging container (measurement object) so that no gas molecules are present in the gap between them.

[0005] However, when the packaging container is a particularly thin tray film or packaging bag, the sensor protrusion of the first suction part provided at the tip of the laser generating unit and the sensor protrusion of the second suction part provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit may come into strong contact, causing damage such as scratches or pinholes in the packaging container (measured object). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3742042 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5124719 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a laser-type gas concentration measuring device and a packaging machine equipped with the same, in which the sensor protrusion of the first suction part provided at the tip of the laser generating part and the sensor protrusion of the second suction part provided at the tip of the laser receiving part do not cause damage such as scratches or pinholes to the packaging container (object to be measured) during suction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above problem is solved by a laser type gas concentration measuring device (Claim 1), which has a laser gas concentration meter equipped with a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction unit for suctioning a packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit, and a second suction unit for suctioning the packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit, and the first suction unit and the second suction unit each have a packaging container damage prevention unit for preventing damage to the packaging container by a sensor protrusion when the packaging container is suctioned.

[0009] Also, what solves the above problem is a laser type gas concentration measuring device having a laser gas concentration meter equipped with a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction portion for suctioning a packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit, and a second suction portion for suctioning the packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit, and the first suction portion and the second suction portion each have a R-chamfered outer periphery at the tip surface of the sensor protrusion (Claim 2).

[0010] Furthermore, what solves the above problem is a laser type gas concentration measuring device having a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction portion for suctioning a packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit, and a second suction portion for suctioning the packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit, and the first suction portion and the second suction portion each have a sensor protrusion whose outer periphery at the tip surface is enclosed in a transparent cover or transparent sheet, or coated with a transparent material (Claim 3).

[0011] Furthermore, what solves the above problem is a laser type gas concentration measuring device having a laser gas concentration meter equipped with a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction portion for suctioning a packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit, a second suction portion for suctioning the packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit, and each of the first suction portion and the second suction portion has a spherical lens for refracting laser light provided at the tip of a sensor protrusion (Claim 4).

[0012] The laser type gas concentration measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first adsorption portion and the second adsorption portion are configured to be vibrated by a vibration mechanism when adsorbing the packaging container (Claim 5).

[0013] Furthermore, what solves the above problem is a packaging machine characterized in being equipped with a laser type gas concentration measuring device having a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction unit for suctioning a packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit, and a second suction unit for suctioning the packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit, and the first suction unit and the second suction unit each have a packaging container damage prevention unit for preventing damage to the packaging container by a sensor protrusion when the packaging container is suctioned (Claim 6).

[0014] Furthermore, what solves the above problem is a packaging machine having a laser gas concentration meter equipped with a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction unit for suctioning a packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit, and a second suction unit for suctioning the packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit, and the first suction unit and the second suction unit each have a laser gas concentration measuring device in which the outer periphery of the tip surface of the sensor protrusion is chamfered (Claim 7).

[0015] Furthermore, what solves the above problem is a packaging machine having a laser gas concentration meter equipped with a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction unit for suctioning a packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit, and a second suction unit for suctioning the packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit, and the first suction unit and the second suction unit each have a laser gas concentration measuring device in which the outer periphery of the tip surface of the sensor protrusion is enclosed in a transparent cover or transparent sheet, or covered with a transparent material (Claim 8).

[0016] Furthermore, what solves the above problem is a packaging machine having a laser gas concentration meter equipped with a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction portion for suctioning a packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit, and a second suction portion for suctioning the packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit, and the first suction portion and the second suction portion each include a laser gas concentration measuring device in which a spherical lens for refracting laser light is provided at the tip of a sensor protrusion (Claim 9).

[0017] The packaging machine according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the first suction section and the second suction section are configured to be vibrated by a vibration mechanism when suctioning the packaging container (claim 10). Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the laser-type gas concentration measuring device described in claim 1, the first suction portion and the second suction portion each have a packaging container damage prevention portion that prevents damage to the packaging container, so that the corners of the sensor protrusion do not come into contact with the packaging container during suction, and the first suction portion provided at the tip of the laser generating portion and the second suction portion provided at the tip of the laser receiving portion do not cause damage such as scratches or pinholes to the packaging container (measured object).

[0019] According to the laser-type gas concentration measuring device described in claim 2, the outer periphery of the tip surface of each of the first and second suction portions is chamfered, so that the corners of the sensor protrusion do not come into contact with the packaging container during suction, and the first suction portion provided at the tip of the laser generating portion and the second suction portion provided at the tip of the laser receiving portion do not cause damage such as scratches or pinholes to the packaging container (measured object).

[0020] According to the laser-type gas concentration measuring device described in claim 3, the tip surfaces of the first and second suction portions are each enclosed in a transparent cover or transparent sheet, or coated with a transparent material, so that the corners of the sensor protrusion do not come into contact with the packaging container during suction, and the first suction portion provided at the tip of the laser generating portion and the second suction portion provided at the tip of the laser receiving portion do not cause damage such as scratches or pinholes to the packaging container (measured object).

[0021] According to the laser-type gas concentration measuring device described in claim 4, the first and second suction parts each have a spherical lens for refracting laser light on the tip surface, so that the corners of the sensor protrusion do not come into contact with the packaging container during suction, and the first suction part provided at the tip of the laser generating part and the second suction part provided at the tip of the laser receiving part do not cause damage such as scratches or pinholes to the packaging container (measured object).

[0022] According to the laser type gas concentration measuring device described in claim 5, even in a laser type gas concentration measuring device equipped with a vibration mechanism in which the first suction portion provided at the tip of the laser generating unit and the second suction portion provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit vibrate to cause more damage such as scratches or pinholes to the packaging container (measured object), the first suction portion provided at the tip of the laser generating unit and the second suction portion provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit do not cause damage such as scratches or pinholes to the packaging container (measured object).

[0023] According to the packaging machine described in claim 6, the first suction portion and the second suction portion each have a packaging container damage prevention portion that prevents damage to the packaging container, so that the corners of the sensor protrusion do not come into contact with the packaging container during suction, and the first suction portion provided at the tip of the laser generating portion and the second suction portion provided at the tip of the laser receiving portion do not cause damage such as scratches or pinholes to the packaging container (measured object).

[0024] According to the packaging machine described in claim 7, the outer periphery of the tip surface of each of the first and second suction portions is chamfered with a rounded edge, so that the corners of the sensor protrusion do not come into contact with the packaging container during suction, and the first suction portion provided at the tip of the laser generating unit and the second suction portion provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit do not cause damage such as scratches or pinholes to the packaging container (measured object).

[0025] According to the packaging machine described in claim 8, the tip surfaces of the first suction portion and the second suction portion are each covered with a transparent cover or transparent sheet, or coated with a transparent material, so that the corners of the sensor protrusion do not come into contact with the packaging container during suction, and the first suction portion provided at the tip of the laser generating unit and the second suction portion provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit do not cause damage such as scratches or pinholes to the packaging container (measured object).

[0026] According to the packaging machine described in claim 9, the first suction portion and the second suction portion each have a spherical lens for refracting laser light on their tip surfaces, so that the corners of the sensor protrusion do not come into contact with the packaging container during suction, and the first suction portion provided at the tip of the laser generating unit and the second suction portion provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit do not cause damage such as scratches or pinholes to the packaging container (measured object).

[0027] According to the packaging machine described in claim 10, even in a laser-type gas concentration measuring device equipped with a vibration mechanism in which the first suction portion provided at the tip of the laser generating unit and the second suction portion provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit vibrate to cause more damage to the packaging container (measured object), such as scratches or pinholes, the first suction portion provided at the tip of the laser generating unit and the second suction portion provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit do not cause damage to the packaging container (measured object), such as scratches or pinholes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view for explaining an embodiment of a laser type gas concentration measuring device of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a right side view of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is an enlarged front view of a sensor bed of the laser gas concentration measuring device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a characteristic configuration of the laser type gas concentration measuring device shown in FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a partially enlarged vertical sectional view seen from the front side for explaining the internal structure of a sensor bed of the laser type gas concentration measurement device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the laser type gas concentration measuring device shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a characteristic configuration of another embodiment of a laser type gas concentration measuring device of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a characteristic configuration of another embodiment of a laser type gas concentration measuring device of the present invention. [Figure 11] 5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams for explaining another embodiment of the laser type gas concentration measuring device of the present invention and its operation. [Figure 12]5A to 5C are explanatory diagrams for explaining another embodiment of the laser type gas concentration measuring device of the present invention and its operation. [Figure 13] 1 is a front view for explaining an embodiment of a packaging machine of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] In the present invention, a laser gas concentration meter 5 is provided with a laser generating unit 2 having an oscillator 1 that irradiates laser light L of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit 4 having a receiver 3 that receives the laser light L emitted from the oscillator 1, and a first suction unit 6 for suctioning a packaging container H is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit 2, and a second suction unit 7 for suctioning the packaging container H is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit 4, and the first suction unit 6 and the second suction unit 7 each have a packaging container damage prevention unit 72 for preventing damage to the packaging container H by the sensor protrusions 70, 71 when the packaging container H is suctioned.This has realized a laser gas concentration measuring device G and a packaging machine P equipped with the same, in which the sensor protrusion 70 of the first suction unit 6 provided at the tip of the laser generating unit 2 and the sensor protrusion 71 of the second suction unit 7 provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit 4 do not cause damage such as scratches or pinholes to the packaging container (measured object) H when suctioned. EXAMPLES

[0030] The laser type gas concentration measuring device of the present invention will be described with reference to one embodiment shown in FIGS. The laser gas concentration measuring device G of this embodiment is a laser gas concentration measuring device that measures the concentration of a specific gas in a packaging container H that is filled with a packaged item S and packaged by gas replacement, and has a laser gas concentration meter 5 equipped with a laser generating unit 2 having a transmitter 1 that irradiates laser light L of a specific wavelength and a laser receiving unit 4 having a receiver 3 that receives the laser light L oscillated from the transmitter 1, a first suction unit 6 for suctioning the packaging container H is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit 2, a second suction unit 7 for suctioning the packaging container H is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit 4, the first suction unit 6 and the second suction unit 7 are configured to be vibrated by a vibration mechanism 8 when the packaging container H is suctioned, and the first suction unit 6 and the second suction unit 7 each have a packaging container damage prevention unit 72 for preventing damage to the packaging container H by the sensor protrusions 70, 71 due to vibration when the packaging container H is suctioned. Each configuration will be described in detail below.

[0031] The laser type gas concentration measuring device G of this embodiment uses a laser type gas concentration meter 5 to measure the concentration of oxygen, a specific gas, in a packaging container H that has been packaged by replacing the gas with an inert gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, and can be used as a stand-alone measuring device, or can be installed and used in a conveyor-type inspection process provided in the outline of various packaging machines such as a rotary type packaging machine, a track type packaging machine, a horizontal pillow packaging machine, a vertical pillow packaging machine, a bag-making packaging machine, etc., and can also be installed and used in an inspection process within various packaging machines such as a rotary type packaging machine, a track type packaging machine, a horizontal pillow packaging machine, a vertical pillow packaging machine, a bag-making packaging machine, etc.

[0032] The packaging container in this application is not limited to packaging bags, tray-type resin packaging containers consisting of a tray with an open top and a film covering the open top, bottles, and other packaging containers filled with food, but is a concept that broadly includes packaging containers filled with things other than food, such as infusion bags filled with medical infusion fluids.

[0033] 7, the laser gas concentration meter 5 includes a laser generating unit 2 having a transmitter 1 that irradiates laser light L of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit 4 having a receiver 3 that receives the laser light L oscillated from the transmitter 1. The laser gas concentration measuring device G of this embodiment is configured so that the first suction portion 6 at the tip of the laser generating unit 2 and the second suction portion 7 at the tip of the laser receiving unit 4 abut against the packaging container H from one side, but is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the laser generating unit 2 and the laser receiving unit 4 are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the packaging container H is also included in the category of the laser gas concentration measuring device of the present invention.

[0034] The laser gas concentration meter 5 utilizes infrared absorption spectroscopy using a semiconductor laser as a light source; when light of a specific frequency is applied to the molecules to be measured (measurement gas: oxygen gas in this embodiment), the molecules absorb the light energy, and by measuring this, the gas concentration is displayed.

[0035] Specifically, the laser light L emitted from the transmitter 1 of the laser generating unit 2 passes through the lens barrel 9 of the laser generating unit 2, enters the packaging container H, and is received by the receiver 3 of the laser receiving unit 4. In the case of oxygen gas, the laser light L of a specific wavelength emitted from the transmitter 1 is selected from a wavelength (intrinsic frequency) range of 760 to 770 nm. When the laser light L of the specific wavelength is absorbed by the oxygen gas remaining in the packaging container H, the gas concentration of the oxygen gas remaining in the packaging H is measured based on the absorbance of the laser light L received by the receiver 3 of the laser receiving unit 4.

[0036] The laser generating unit 2 has a control unit 10 that sets the wavelength of the laser light L oscillated from the oscillator 1 to a specific wavelength and adjusts it to a predetermined light intensity. The control unit 10 adjusts the wavelength of the laser light L output from a semiconductor laser element (not shown) to a specific wavelength specific to the specific gas to be measured, and amplifies and controls the laser light L so that it is emitted with a predetermined incident light intensity.

[0037] The laser light receiving section 4 has a receiver 3 that receives the laser light L that has passed through the packaging container H, and a measuring section 12 that measures the gas concentration based on a light receiving signal from the receiver 3.

[0038] The receiver 3 has an element, such as a photodiode (not shown), that converts the transmitted light intensity of the laser light L transmitted through the packaging container H into an electrical transmitted light signal. This makes it possible to electrically process the transmitted light intensity of the laser light L transmitted through the packaging container H.

[0039] The measurement unit 12 is configured to calculate the transmittance based on a transmitted light signal related to the transmitted light intensity and an incident light signal related to the incident light intensity of the laser light L oscillated from the transmitter 1, determine the absorbance of the laser light by a specific gas based on the transmittance, and measure the concentration of the specific gas in the packaging container H based on the absorbance.

[0040] The laser generating unit 2 or the laser receiving unit 4 has a first suction unit 6 or a second suction unit 7 at its tip, which is capable of suctioning the packaging container H. The first suction unit 6 or the second suction unit 7 has a suction cup 6a or 7a, respectively, and sensor protrusions 70 and 71 are disposed inside the suction cups 6a or 7a, respectively. The first suction unit 6 or the second suction unit 7 is provided to ensure close contact or airtightness between the tip of the laser generating unit 2 or the tip of the laser receiving unit 4 and the object to be measured (packaging container H) (ensuring a state in which they are attached without any gaps and no air is allowed in).

[0041] Specifically, the laser generating unit 2 or the laser receiving unit 4 has a first suction unit 6 or a second suction unit 7 capable of suctioning a packaging container H at the tip of the lens barrel 9 or 13, respectively, as shown in Fig. 7. The first suction unit 6 or the second suction unit 7 is configured to be capable of suctioning by having suction holes 14, 15 communicated with a first vacuum source 20 and a second vacuum source 21 via communication passages 16, 17 provided in the lens barrel 9 or 13, respectively.

[0042] In addition, in the laser gas concentration meter 5 of this embodiment, the communication passages 16, 17 are connected to the laser paths 18, 19, respectively, so that the insides of the laser paths 18, 19 of the laser generating unit 2 and the laser receiving unit 4 are also placed in a similar vacuum atmosphere by suction through the first adsorption unit 6 or the second adsorption unit 7, thereby further improving the measurement accuracy.

[0043] 7, lenses 26a, 26b are provided at the tip of the lens barrel sections 9, 13, respectively, for refracting the laser light L emitted from the transmitter 1 and receiving it at the receiver 3 of the laser receiving section 4. This refracts the laser light L emitted from the transmitter 1 and adjusts the optical axis with respect to the receiver 3, so that the laser light L can be reliably received by the receiver 3.

[0044] The first suction portion 6 of the laser generating unit 2 and the second suction portion 7 of the laser receiving unit 4 are attached to a sensor head 27 as shown in Figs. 4 to 7, and the sensor head 27 is configured to be reciprocally movable by a reciprocating mechanism 28 shown in Fig. 8, so that the first suction portion 6 of the laser generating unit 2 and the second suction portion 7 of the laser receiving unit 4 can abut against the packaging container H. In this way, the laser type gas concentration measuring device G can abut against the packaging container H by reciprocating the sensor head 27 equipped with the first suction portion 6 of the laser generating unit 2 and the second suction portion 7 of the laser receiving unit 4 by the reciprocating mechanism 28, so that it can be used universally for various types of packaging containers and packaging machines, and is configured to be able to measure the gas concentration in the packaging container with a simple structure. Note that the reciprocating mechanism 28 in this embodiment is configured with an air cylinder, but is not limited thereto, and may be any mechanism that can reciprocate the sensor head 27, such as a servo motor.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the laser gas concentration measuring device G of this embodiment has a third suction cup portion 29 and a fourth suction cup portion 30 provided on a line that intersects at a midpoint of the arrangement line of the first suction portion 6 and the second suction portion 7. The third suction cup portion 29 and the fourth suction cup portion 30 are configured to be able to more reliably suction the packaging container H, and to improve the measurement accuracy of the gas concentration in the packaging container H. The third suction cup portion 29 and the fourth suction cup portion 30 are configured to be sucked by the first vacuum source 20 and the second vacuum source 21, similar to the first suction portion 6 and the second suction portion 7. Note that, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the first suction portion 6 and the second suction portion 7 abut against and suction the packaging container H from an oblique direction, but the third suction cup portion 29 and the fourth suction cup portion 30 are configured to abut against and suction the packaging container H from a direction perpendicular to the packaging container H, and act to assist the suction by the first suction portion 6 and the second suction portion 7 and to more reliably suction the packaging container H.

[0046] The vibration mechanism 8 is for vibrating the first suction section 6 and the second suction section 7 when the packaging container H is suctioned. The vibration mechanism 8 in this embodiment has a first vacuum source 20 and a second vacuum source 21 that are set to different vacuum pressures (vacuum levels), as shown in FIG. 8, and when the first vacuum source 20 is suctioning, the second vacuum source 21 is repeatedly turned ON / OFF at high speed (preferably 10 to 100 Hz to generate good vibrations; in this embodiment, it is set to turn ON / OFF or open / close the solenoid valve at 30 Hz) to generate pulsation and vibrate the first suction section 6 and the second suction section 7.

[0047] Specifically, the vibration mechanism 8 of this embodiment has a first vacuum source 20 as a first vacuum pump, a second vacuum source 21 as a second vacuum pump, a first vacuum solenoid valve 22 for opening and closing the first vacuum pump 20, and a second vacuum solenoid valve 23 for opening and closing the second vacuum pump 21, and generates pulsation by opening the first vacuum solenoid valve 22 to suck with the first vacuum pump 20 (for example, -40 kPa), and sucking with the second vacuum pump 21 (for example, -60 kPa) while repeatedly opening and closing with the second vacuum solenoid valve 23 at high speed, thereby vibrating the first adsorption section 6 and the second adsorption section 7. This makes it possible to vary the vacuum pressure during adsorption by the first adsorption section 6 and the second adsorption section 7, remove air present in the gap between the first adsorption section 6 and the second adsorption section 7 and the packaging container H, thereby improving adhesion, and circulates residual oxygen and the like in the packaging container H, thereby improving the measurement accuracy of the gas concentration in the packaging container H. Note that although the packaging container H is shown as a packaging bag in FIG. 8, it may be a tray-type resin packaging container.

[0048] The first vacuum pump 20, the second vacuum pump 21, the first vacuum solenoid valve 22, the second vacuum solenoid valve 23, and the operation panel 24 for setting the vacuum pressures of the first vacuum pump 20 and the second vacuum pump 21 are configured to be controlled by a PLC 25 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0049] The vacuum source is not limited to a vacuum pump as in this embodiment, and may be any device capable of suction, such as a blower or an ejector. In addition, in the laser gas concentration measuring device G of this embodiment, the first suction portion 6, the second suction portion 7, the third suction portion 29, and the fourth suction portion 30 are fixed at fixed positions on the sensor head 27, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the scope of the present invention also includes devices configured so that the separation distance between the first suction portion 6 and the second suction portion 7 or the separation distance between the third suction portion 29 and the fourth suction portion 30 can be adjusted by a slide mechanism or the like in accordance with the packaging container or packaging machine.

[0050] 1 to 3 and 8, the laser type gas concentration measuring device G of this embodiment includes a conveyor 31 that sequentially conveys packaging containers H, a first vacuum source 20, a second vacuum source 21, a first vacuum solenoid valve 22, a second vacuum solenoid valve 23, an operation panel 24, a PLC 25, a reciprocating mechanism 28, a sensor head 27 that can be raised and lowered by the reciprocating mechanism 28, and a sensor cover (transparent resin box) 32. The sensor head 27 is sequentially lowered by the reciprocating mechanism 28 with respect to the packaging containers H sequentially conveyed by the conveyor 31 to abut against the film covering the upper surface of the packaging container H, and the first suction unit 6, the second suction unit 7, the third suction cup unit 29, and the fourth suction cup unit 30 are vibrated while suctioning the packaging containers H by the vibration mechanism 8, thereby sequentially measuring the gas concentration (oxygen concentration in this embodiment) in the packaging containers H.

[0051] In addition, in the laser-type gas concentration measuring device G of this embodiment, the first suction portion 6, the second suction portion 7, the third suction cup portion 29 and the fourth suction cup portion 30 are all vibrated by the vibration mechanism 8, but the scope of the present invention also includes devices in which the third suction cup portion 29 and the fourth suction cup portion 30 are configured to suction the packaging container H using a separate vacuum source and are not vibrated by the vibration mechanism.

[0052] 6 or 7, in the laser gas concentration measuring device G of this embodiment, the first suction unit 6 and the second suction unit 7 each have a packaging container damage prevention unit 72 for preventing damage to the packaging container H by the sensor protrusions 70, 71 due to vibration when the packaging container H is suctioned. As a result, even in the laser gas concentration measuring device having the vibration mechanism 8 for vibrating the first suction unit 6 provided at the tip of the laser generating unit 2 and the second suction unit 7 provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit 4 when the packaging container H is suctioned, the sensor protrusion 70 of the first suction unit 6 provided at the tip of the laser generating unit 2 and the sensor protrusion 71 of the second suction unit 7 provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit 4 are prevented from causing damage such as scratches or pinholes to the packaging container (measurement object) H due to vibration during suction.

[0053] Specifically, the packaging container damage prevention section 72 in this embodiment is configured with R-chamfered portions formed by R-chamfering the outer periphery of the tip faces 70a, 71a of the sensor protrusions 70, 71 of the first suction section 6 and the second suction section 7. These packaging container damage prevention sections 72 eliminate the outer periphery corners of the tip faces 70a, 70b of the sensor protrusions 70, 71, and the corners of the sensor protrusions 70, 71 do not come into contact with the packaging container H, preventing the first suction section 6 provided at the tip of the laser generating section 2 and the second suction section 7 provided at the tip of the laser receiving section 4 from causing damage to the packaging container H, such as scratches or pinholes.

[0054] Next, a laser type gas concentration measuring device according to another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9 will be described. The laser gas concentration measuring device 80 of this embodiment is a laser gas concentration measuring device that measures the concentration of a specific gas in a packaging container H that has been filled with a packaged item S and packaged by gas replacement. The laser gas concentration measuring device 5 has a laser generating unit 2 having a transmitter 1 that irradiates laser light L of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit 4 having a receiver 3 that receives the laser light L oscillated from the transmitter 1. A first suction unit 6 for suctioning the packaging container H is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit 2, and the laser A second suction portion 7 for adsorbing the packaging container H is provided at the tip of the light receiving portion 4, and the first suction portion 6 and the second suction portion 7 are configured to be vibrated by a vibration mechanism 8 when the packaging container H is adsorbed, and the first suction portion 6 and the second suction portion 7 are configured to be vibrated by a vibration mechanism 8 when the packaging container H is adsorbed, and the outer periphery of the tip surfaces 70a, 71a of the sensor protrusions 70, 71 of the first suction portion 6 and the second suction portion 7 are respectively covered with a transparent cover or transparent sheet 81, or coated with a transparent material 81.

[0055] The only difference between the laser type gas concentration measuring device 80 of this embodiment and the previously described laser type gas concentration measuring device G is the configuration of the packaging container damage prevention part (transparent sheet or transparent material) 81, and the rest is the same as the laser type gas concentration measuring device G. The same components as those of the laser type gas concentration measuring device G are given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted.

[0056] Specifically, in the laser-type gas concentration measuring device 80 of this embodiment, the first adsorption portion 6 and the second adsorption portion 7 are each covered (coated) with a transparent cover or transparent sheet (packaging container damage prevention portion) 81 at the outer periphery of the tip surfaces 70a, 71a of the sensor protrusions 70, 71.

[0057] These packaging container damage prevention parts (transparent sheets or transparent materials) 81 encase or cover (coat) the corners present on the outer periphery of the tip surfaces 70a, 70b of the sensor protrusions 70, 71, so that the corners of the sensor protrusions 70, 71 do not come into contact with the packaging container H, and the first suction part 6 provided at the tip of the laser generating unit 2 and the second suction part 7 provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit 4 are prevented from causing damage to the packaging container H, such as scratches or pinholes.

[0058] The transparent sheet or transparent material constituting the packaging container damage prevention part 81 may be made of any material that does not cause damage such as scratches or pinholes when it comes into contact with the packaging container H to be used, and for example, soft resin or silicone is preferably used. The end (hole) of the communication passages 16, 17 on the suction hole 14, 15 side may be provided in a transparent cover, transparent sheet or transparent material (packaging container damage prevention part) 81 that encases or covers the tip faces 70a, 71a of the protrusions 70, 71, or may be provided on the side of the protrusions 70, 71.

[0059] Next, a laser type gas concentration measuring device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The laser gas concentration measuring device 90 of this embodiment is a laser gas concentration measuring device that measures the concentration of a specific gas in a packaging container H that has been filled with a packaged item S and packaged by gas replacement, and has a laser gas concentration meter 5 equipped with a laser generating unit 2 having an emitter 1 that irradiates laser light L of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit 4 having a receiver 3 that receives the laser light L emitted from the emitter 1, a first suction unit 6 for suctioning the packaging container H is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit 2, a second suction unit 7 for suctioning the packaging container H is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit 4, the first suction unit 6 and the second suction unit 7 are configured to be vibrated by a vibration mechanism 8 when the packaging container H is suctioned, and the first suction unit 6 and the second suction unit 7 are provided with a spherical laser light refracting lens (packaging container damage prevention unit) 91 on the tip surfaces 70a, 71a of the sensor protrusions 70, 71, respectively.

[0060] The only difference between the laser type gas concentration measuring device 90 of this embodiment and the above-mentioned laser type gas concentration measuring device G is the configuration of the packaging container damage prevention unit (spherical laser light refraction lens) 91, and the rest is the same as the laser type gas concentration measuring device G. The same components as those of the laser type gas concentration measuring device G are given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted.

[0061] Specifically, in the laser gas concentration measuring device 90 of this embodiment, the first adsorption unit 6 and the second adsorption unit 7 each have a spherical laser light refracting lens (packaging container damage prevention unit) 91 on the tip surfaces 70a, 71a of the sensor protrusions 70, 71. The spherical laser light refracting lens (packaging container damage prevention unit) 91 has a spherical tip side and a base end formed to have the same outer shape (circular in this embodiment) as the tip surfaces 70a, 71a of the sensor protrusions 70, 71, and is attached to the tip surfaces 70a, 71a, respectively. However, a laser light refracting lens with spherical tip and base ends may be disposed at the tip of the sensor protrusion. Furthermore, the ends (holes) of the communication paths 16, 17 on the suction holes 14, 15 side may be provided in a spherical laser light refracting lens (packaging container damage prevention part) 91 attached to the tip surfaces 70a, 71a of the protrusions 70, 71, or may be provided on the side of the protrusions 70, 71. Furthermore, as the spherical laser light refracting lens, for example, a sapphire lens can be suitably used.

[0062] In this way, in the laser gas concentration measuring device 90 of this embodiment, the first suction portion 6 and the second suction portion 7 each have a spherical laser light refraction lens (packaging container damage prevention portion) 91 on the tip surfaces 70a, 70b of the sensor protrusions 70, 71. Therefore, even in a laser gas concentration measuring device equipped with a vibration mechanism 8 that vibrates the first suction portion 6 provided at the tip of the laser generating unit 2 and the second suction portion 7 provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit 4 when adsorbing a packaging container, the corners of the sensor protrusions 70, 71 do not come into contact with the packaging container H, and the first suction portion 6 provided at the tip 2 of the laser generating unit and the second suction portion 7 provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit 4 are prevented from causing damage such as scratches or pinholes to the packaging container (measured object).

[0063] In addition, the packaging container damage prevention portion in the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in Figures 6, 7, 9 and 10, but broadly includes configurations in which the corners of the sensor protrusions of the first suction portion and the second suction portion do not come into direct contact with the packaging container.

[0064] Next, a laser type gas concentration measuring device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The only difference between the laser type gas concentration measuring device of this embodiment and the previously described laser type gas concentration measuring device G is the configuration of the vibration mechanism, and the rest is the same as the laser type gas concentration measuring device G. The same components as those in the laser type gas concentration measuring device G are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted.

[0065] In the laser gas concentration measuring device of this embodiment, the vacuum source for sucking the packaging container H by sucking with the first suction portion 6, the second suction portion 7, the third suction portion 29, and the fourth suction portion 30 is only the vacuum pump 41, and suction by the vacuum pump 41 is performed by controlling the vacuum pump 41 and the vacuum solenoid valve 42 by the PLC 25. The vibration mechanism 40 of this embodiment is configured such that a vibrator 43 is provided on the sensor head 27 to which the first suction portion 6, the second suction portion 7, the third suction portion 29, and the fourth suction portion 30 are attached, and the vibration of the vibrator 43 causes the sensor head 27 to vibrate, and accordingly the first suction portion 6, the second suction portion 7, the third suction portion 29, and the fourth suction portion 30 vibrate during suction by the vacuum pump 41.

[0066] In this embodiment, the vibrator 43 is an air-operated rotary vibrator in which the vibration solenoid valve 44 is controlled by the PLC 25 to vibrate the vibrator 43. However, any vibration device capable of vibrating the sensor head 27 or at least the first adsorption portion 6 and the second adsorption portion 7 may be used. For example, a laser-type gas concentration measuring device constituted by an air-operated piston-type vibrator or an electric vibrator is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0067] Next, a laser type gas concentration measuring device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The only difference between the laser type gas concentration measuring device of this embodiment and the previously described laser type gas concentration measuring device G is the configuration of the vibration mechanism, and the rest is the same as the laser type gas concentration measuring device G. The same components as those in the laser type gas concentration measuring device G are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted.

[0068] In the laser type gas concentration measuring device of this embodiment, the only vacuum source for suctioning the packaging container H by the first suction portion 6, the second suction portion 7, the third suction cup portion 29 and the fourth suction cup portion 30 is the vacuum pump 51, and suction by the vacuum pump 51 is performed by controlling the vacuum pump 51 and the vacuum solenoid valve 52 by the PLC 25.

[0069] The vibration mechanism 50 in this embodiment has the above-mentioned suction mechanism (vacuum pump 51 and vacuum solenoid valve 52) and an atmosphere communication part 54 that communicates with the atmosphere (in this embodiment, a pipe 55 one end of which is open to the atmosphere, and a solenoid valve 53 for opening and closing the pipe 55).

[0070] The air communication section 54 is opened and closed repeatedly at high speed during suction by the vacuum source (vacuum pump 51), thereby generating pulsation, which causes the first suction section 6, the second suction section 7, the third suction cup section 29 and the fourth suction cup section 30 to vibrate.

[0071] In this way, the laser gas concentration measuring device of the present invention is not limited to using two vacuum sources, the first vacuum source 30 and the second vacuum source 32, as in the laser gas concentration measuring device G described above in order to generate pulsation using two different pressures, but also includes within the scope of the present invention a laser gas concentration measuring device having one vacuum source (vacuum pump 51) and an atmosphere communication section 54, as in this embodiment, in which different pressures are realized by vacuum pressure and atmospheric pressure.

[0072] Further, embodiments of the packaging machine of the present invention will be described in order. The packaging machine P of the embodiment shown in Fig. 13 has a laser gas concentration meter 5 equipped with a laser generating unit 2 having a transmitter 1 that irradiates a laser beam L of a specific wavelength and a laser receiving unit 4 having a receiver 3 that receives the laser beam L oscillated from the transmitter 1, a first suction unit 6 for suctioning a packaging container H is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit 2, a second suction unit 7 for suctioning a packaging container H is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit 4, the first suction unit 6 and the second suction unit 7 are configured to be vibrated by a vibration mechanism 8 when the packaging container H is suctioned, and the first suction unit 6 and the second suction unit 7 each have a packaging container damage prevention unit 72 for preventing damage to the packaging container H caused by sensor protrusions 70, 71 due to vibration when the packaging container H is suctioned. Each component will be described below, but since the laser gas concentration measuring device G has the same configuration, the same reference numerals are used and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] This packaging machine P is a rotary packaging machine, and is provided with a laser type gas concentration measuring device G on the downstream outline Q after various packaging processes, and is configured so that a sensor head 27 moves up and down from above to measure the oxygen concentration of packaging containers H that are sequentially transported on a conveyor 31. Note that the sensor cover 32, operation panel 24, and PLC 25 of the laser type gas concentration measuring device G are omitted in Figure 13.

[0074] Specifically, the packaging machine P in this embodiment is a rotary type gas filling packaging machine which mass-produces products (food) at each packaging station, which includes a bag feeding station for carrying out a bag feeding process, a printing station for carrying out a process of printing expiration dates and the like, an opening station for carrying out a process of opening packaging containers, a filling station for carrying out a process of filling the packaged items, a temporary sealing station for carrying out a nozzle insertion and temporary sealing process, a gas replacement station for carrying out a gas replacement and kneading process, a top sealing station for carrying out a top sealing process, a seal cooling station for carrying out a seal cooling process, and a product discharge station for carrying out a product discharge process.

[0075] A stand 61 that rotatably supports a vertical intermittent rotation shaft (not shown) is provided on a machine base 60 of the packaging machine P, and a disk-shaped rotor 62 attached to the intermittent rotation shaft has a plurality of grip pairs g for gripping or releasing packaging containers H that protrude radially at equal angular intervals. The packaging containers (packaging bags) H are supported in a suspended manner by these grip pairs g and move intermittently, and the packaging process is carried out at each packaging station.

[0076] Incidentally, the packaging machine P in this embodiment is a rotary type gas filling packaging machine that drives the disk-shaped rotor 62 to rotate intermittently, but the packaging machine of the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a known linear movement type or track type packaging machine. This track type packaging machine refers to a structure in which a moving body that moves horizontally along an annular passage consisting of a linear section and semicircular sections at both ends is provided with many grip pairs that can be freely changed between an upright position and a horizontal position, and the packaging containers supplied in the bag supply process are supported by each grip pair, and the packaging containers are intermittently stopped at each process, such as an opening process, a process for filling the packaged product, a gas filling process, and a process for sealing the bag mouth, to bag the packaged product.

[0077] The packaging machine P shown in FIG. 13 has a laser type gas concentration measuring device G arranged on the downstream outline Q after the product is discharged, but the packaging machine of the present invention may also have a laser type gas concentration measuring device arranged at one packaging station during the packaging process.

[0078] Specifically, for example, a gas concentration measuring station for measuring the gas concentration of a packaging container (packaging bag) may be provided between a seal cooling station for performing a seal cooling process and a product discharge station for performing a product discharge process, and the gas concentration of the packaging container (packaging bag) that is supported in a suspended manner by a pair of grips and moves intermittently in sequence may be measured sequentially by a laser type gas concentration measuring device G arranged on the outside.

[0079] Furthermore, the category of the packaging machine of the present invention also includes a horizontal pillow packaging machine, for example, a horizontal pillow packaging machine that feeds out a sheet-like film to form a bag while filling the bag (packaging container) with the packaged item, seals the center, and then seals and cuts the bottom in sequence to package the bag. The present invention also includes a packaging machine in which the laser gas concentration measuring device of the present invention is disposed in the center seal section or product discharge section.

[0080] Furthermore, the category of packaging machines of the present invention also includes vertical pillow packaging machines, such as vertical pillow packaging machines that feed out sheet-like film to form bags while filling the bag (packaging container) with the packaged item from a hopper, and seal and cut the bag with a bottom seal and cutter section to package the bag, and also includes packaging machines in which the laser-type gas concentration measuring device of the present invention is arranged in the bottom seal and cutter section or the product discharge section.

[0081] Furthermore, the packaging machine of the present invention is a laser type gas concentration measuring device that measures the concentration of a specific gas in a packaging container H that has been filled with a packaged item S and packaged by gas replacement, and has a laser type gas concentration meter 5 equipped with a laser generating unit 2 having a transmitter 1 that irradiates laser light L of a specific wavelength and a laser receiving unit 4 having a receiver 3 that receives the laser light L oscillated from the transmitter 1, a first suction unit 6 for suctioning the packaging container H is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit 2, and a second suction unit 6 for suctioning the packaging container H is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit 4. The packaging machine may be equipped with a laser gas concentration measuring device 80 in which a second suction section 7 for adhering a packaging container H to the first suction section 6 is provided, the first suction section 6 and the second suction section 7 are configured to be vibrated by a vibration mechanism 8 when adsorbing a packaging container H, and the first suction section 6 and the second suction section 7 are configured to be vibrated by a vibration mechanism 8 when adsorbing a packaging container H, and the outer peripheries of the tip faces 70a, 71a of the sensor protrusions 70, 71 are enclosed in a transparent cover or transparent sheet 81 or covered with a transparent material 81. The configuration of the laser gas concentration measuring device 80 is as described above, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] Furthermore, the packaging machine of the present invention may be a packaging machine equipped with a laser gas concentration measuring device 90 that is a laser gas concentration measuring device that measures the concentration of a specific gas in a packaging container H that has been filled with a packaged item S and packaged by gas replacement, and that has a laser gas concentration meter 5 equipped with a laser generating unit 2 having an oscillator 1 that irradiates laser light L of a specific wavelength and a laser receiving unit 4 having a receiver 3 that receives the laser light L oscillated from the oscillator 1, a first suction unit 6 for suctioning the packaging container H is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit 2, a second suction unit 7 for suctioning the packaging container H is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit 4, the first suction unit 6 and the second suction unit 7 are configured to be vibrated by a vibration mechanism 8 when the packaging container H is suctioned, and the first suction unit 6 and the second suction unit 7 are provided with a spherical laser light refraction lens (packaging container damage prevention unit) 91 on the tip surfaces 70a, 71a of the sensor protrusions 70, 71, respectively. The configuration of the laser type gas concentration measuring device 90 has been described above, and the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] G Laser type gas concentration measuring device P packaging machine S Packaged item H Packaging container 1 Transmitter 2 Laser generating unit 3 Receiver 4 Laser receiver 5. Laser gas concentration meter 6 1st suction part 7 Second suction part 8 Vibration mechanism 9. Tube 10 Control section 11 Receiver cable 12 Measuring part 13. Tube 14,15 Suction hole 16,17 Communication path 18,19 Laser Path 20 First vacuum source (first vacuum pump) 21 Second vacuum source (second vacuum pump) 22 First vacuum solenoid valve 23 Second vacuum solenoid valve 24 Operation Panel 25 PLC 26a, 26b Lenses for refracting laser light 27 Sensor Head 28 Reciprocating mechanism 29 Third suction cup 30 4th suction cup 31 Conveyor 32 Sensor cover 40 Vibration mechanism 41 Vacuum Pump 42 Vacuum solenoid valve 43 Vibrator 44 Vibration solenoid valve 50 Vibration mechanism 51 Vacuum Pump 52 Vacuum solenoid valve 53 Solenoid valve 54 Atmospheric communication part 55 Pipe 60 machines 61 Stand 62 Rotating disc 70,71 Sensor protrusion 72 Packaging Container Damage Prevention Department 80 Laser type gas concentration measuring device 81 Packaging Container Damage Prevention Department 90 Laser type gas concentration measuring device 91 Packaging Container Damage Prevention Department

Claims

1. A laser gas concentration measuring device comprising a laser gas concentration meter equipped with a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction unit for suctioning a packaging container is provided at a tip of the laser generating unit, a second suction unit for suctioning the packaging container is provided at a tip of the laser receiving unit, and the first suction unit and the second suction unit each have a packaging container damage prevention unit for preventing damage to the packaging container by a sensor protrusion when the packaging container is suctioned.

2. A laser gas concentration measuring device comprising a laser gas concentration meter equipped with a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction portion for suctioning a packaging container is provided at a tip of the laser generating unit, and a second suction portion for suctioning the packaging container is provided at a tip of the laser receiving unit, and the first suction portion and the second suction portion each have a R-chamfered outer periphery at the tip surface of a sensor protrusion.

3. A laser gas concentration measuring device comprising a laser gas concentration meter equipped with a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction portion for suctioning a packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit, and a second suction portion for suctioning the packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit, and the first suction portion and the second suction portion each have a sensor protrusion whose outer periphery at the tip surface is enclosed in a transparent cover or transparent sheet, or coated with a transparent material.

4. A laser gas concentration measuring device comprising a laser gas concentration meter equipped with a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction portion for suctioning a packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser generating unit, a second suction portion for suctioning the packaging container is provided at the tip of the laser receiving unit, and each of the first suction portion and the second suction portion has a spherical lens for refracting laser light provided at the tip of a sensor protrusion.

5. 5. The laser type gas concentration measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first suction portion and the second suction portion are configured to be vibrated by a vibration mechanism when the packaging container is suctioned.

6. A packaging machine comprising a laser type gas concentration measuring device having a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction unit for suctioning a packaging container is provided at a tip of the laser generating unit, a second suction unit for suctioning the packaging container is provided at a tip of the laser receiving unit, and the first suction unit and the second suction unit each have a packaging container damage prevention unit for preventing damage to the packaging container by a sensor protrusion when the packaging container is suctioned.

7. A packaging machine comprising a laser gas concentration meter equipped with a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction unit is provided at a tip of the laser generating unit for suctioning a packaging container, and a second suction unit is provided at a tip of the laser receiving unit for suctioning the packaging container, and the first suction unit and the second suction unit each comprise a laser gas concentration measuring device in which the outer periphery of the tip surface of a sensor protrusion is rounded.

8. A packaging machine comprising a laser gas concentration meter equipped with a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction unit for suctioning a packaging container is provided at a tip of the laser generating unit, and a second suction unit for suctioning the packaging container is provided at a tip of the laser receiving unit, and wherein the first suction unit and the second suction unit each comprise a laser gas concentration measuring device in which the outer periphery of the tip surface of a sensor protrusion is enclosed in a transparent cover or transparent sheet, or coated with a transparent material.

9. A packaging machine comprising a laser gas concentration meter equipped with a laser generating unit having an oscillator that irradiates laser light of a specific wavelength, and a laser receiving unit having a receiver that receives the laser light emitted from the oscillator, wherein a first suction unit for suctioning a packaging container is provided at a tip of the laser generating unit, and a second suction unit for suctioning the packaging container is provided at a tip of the laser receiving unit, and each of the first suction unit and the second suction unit is equipped with a laser gas concentration measuring device having a spherical lens for refracting laser light at the tip of a sensor protrusion.

10. 10. The packaging machine according to claim 6, wherein the first suction section and the second suction section are configured to be vibrated by a vibration mechanism when the packaging container is suctioned.

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