JP2009014589A - Gas concentration measuring method in packaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas concentration measuring method capable of rapidly measuring the concentration of internal specific gas for all packaging vessels without breaking the vessels in a process of the packaging machine. <P>SOLUTION: In this gas concentration measuring method, the concentration of the specific gas in the packaging vessel packaged after gas exchange is measured by a measuring means. As the measuring means, a laser type gas concentration meter M comprising a laser generating section 10 having a transmitter 25 for radiating a laser beam of a specific wavelength and a laser receiving section 20 having a receiver 27 for receiving the laser beam oscillated from the transmitter 25 is used. In the process of a gas charging packaging machine for charging a packaging object into the packaging vessel, performing the gas exchange by inert gas, and sealing the opening, the transmitter 25 and receiver 27 are disposed free to relatively approach and separate, and the concentration of the specific gas in the packaging vessel is measured in a state where the transmitter 25 and receiver 27 are brought into close contact with a light transmittable part on both sides of the packaging vessel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for measuring the concentration of a specific gas inside an entire number of packaging containers during the process of a gas filling packaging machine without damaging the containers.

  In the gas-filled packaging machine, the bag mouth is sealed after gas replacement with nitrogen gas or the like is performed almost simultaneously with the filling of the packaging bag. Patent Document 1 discloses a gas filling and packaging machine that fills a packaging bag with an article to be packaged and an inert gas.

  By the way, when measuring the oxygen concentration remaining in the packaging bag, which is a packaged product, the gas concentration is analyzed by inserting the injection needle provided in the oximeter into the packaging bag and sucking the internal gas.・ Measured. The product (packaging bag) used for the inspection must be discarded after the inspection because the hole of the injection needle is always opened. Of course, since 100% inspection cannot be performed, sampling inspection is performed. As for the sampling inspection, if the number of inspections is increased, the measurement time increases, and there is also a disadvantage that an economic loss occurs.

  A packaging leak inspection method is also known as a method for inspecting whether or not a packaged packaging bag has a sealing failure. For example, in Patent Document 2, a packaged inspection product is placed in a vacuum, a time-dependent change in the amount of marker gas in the vacuum is measured, and a quantity value at a predetermined time point is compared with a quantity value at the same time point of a good product. When the measured quantity value is larger than the quantity value of the non-defective product, a seal quality judging method for judging the inspection product as a defective product is disclosed.

The packaging leak inspection method is not suitable for 100% inspection of packaging containers (products) produced by a gas-filled packaging machine, because the inside of the decompression container containing the inspection product must be in a negative pressure state and takes a long measurement time. I can say that.
Japanese Patent No. 3742042 JP 2003-106924 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gas concentration measurement method capable of quickly measuring the concentration of a specific gas inside an entire number of packaging containers during the process of the packaging machine without damaging the containers.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a gas concentration measuring method for measuring the concentration of a specific gas in a packaging container packed by gas replacement by a measuring means,
Laser type gas concentration comprising a laser generator having a transmitter for irradiating laser light of a specific wavelength as the measuring means, and a laser receiver having a receiver for receiving laser light oscillated from the transmitter Using a meter, the transmitter and receiver are placed in a relative position during the process of the packaging machine in which the packaging container is filled with an object to be packaged and gas is replaced with an inert gas, and then the opening is sealed. The concentration of the specific gas in the packaging container is measured in a state where the transmitter and the receiver are in close contact with each other on both sides of the packaging container and at places where light can be transmitted. And

In order to achieve the same object, the invention described in claim 2 is a gas concentration measuring method for measuring the concentration of a specific gas in a packaging container packed by gas replacement by a measuring means,
Laser type gas concentration comprising a laser generator having a transmitter for irradiating laser light of a specific wavelength as the measuring means, and a laser receiver having a receiver for receiving laser light oscillated from the transmitter Using a meter, the front openings are made to face each other during the process of the packaging machine in which the packaging container is filled with the object to be packaged and gas is replaced with an inert gas, and then the openings are sealed. The transmitter and the receiver are housed in a pair of gas purge cases arranged in parallel, and the gas purge cases are provided so as to be relatively close to and away from each other. The case is characterized in that the concentration of the specific gas in the packaging container is measured in a state in which the cases are brought into close contact with each other and the purge gas is allowed to flow.

In order to achieve the same object, the invention described in claim 3 is a gas concentration measuring method for measuring the concentration of a specific gas in a packaging container packaged by gas replacement by a measuring means,
Laser type gas concentration comprising a laser generator having a transmitter for irradiating laser light of a specific wavelength as the measuring means, and a laser receiver having a receiver for receiving laser light oscillated from the transmitter The transmitter and the receiver are placed in the product discharge path of the packaging machine in which the opening is sealed after the packaging container is filled with the object to be packaged and the gas is replaced with an inert gas. A gas purge chamber arranged at a predetermined interval is provided, and the concentration of the specific gas in the packaging container passing between the transmitter and the receiver is measured in a state in which the purge gas flows in the gas purge chamber.

  In order to achieve the same object, the invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that, in the gas concentration measurement method in the packaging machine according to claim 3, the packaging container is a packaging bag or a bottle. is there.

(Invention of Claim 1)
The gas concentration measurement method in this packaging machine is to specify the oxygen etc. in the packaging container with the transmitter and receiver of the laser gas concentration meter in close contact with each other on both sides of the packaging container. Since the concentration of gas is measured, the concentration of a specific gas can be measured quickly without damaging all of the packaging containers, contributing to the improvement of product quality. In addition, since the laser gas concentration meter is installed in the packaging machine process, the product with poor gas replacement can be found quickly, and the production efficiency can be improved by addressing the problem at an early stage.

(Invention of Claim 2)
The gas concentration measuring method in this packaging machine is such that the concentration of a specific gas in the packaging container is measured with a laser gas in a state in which the gas purging case is brought into close contact with both sides of the packaging container and in a light transmissive place. Since measurement is performed with a densitometer, the concentration of a specific gas can be measured quickly and accurately without damaging all of the packaging containers, which contributes to the improvement of product quality.

(Invention of Claim 3)
In this packaging machine, the gas concentration measurement method is performed between a transmitter and a receiver of a laser gas concentration meter in an atmosphere state in which a purge gas is flowed into a gas purge chamber provided in a product discharge path of a packaging machine such as a vertical pillow packaging machine. Since the concentration of the specified gas in the passing packaging container is measured, the concentration of the specified gas can be measured quickly and accurately without damaging all of the packaging containers, thereby improving the quality of the product. Contribute.

(Invention of Claim 4)
The gas concentration measurement method in this packaging machine is a bottle that passes between a transmitter and a receiver of a laser gas concentration meter in an atmosphere in which purge gas is flowed into a gas purge chamber provided in a product discharge path of a bottling packaging machine, etc. Since the concentration of the specific gas inside is measured, the concentration of the specific gas can be quickly measured with high accuracy for all the bottles and the like, which contributes to the improvement of product quality.

  The best mode of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a laser gas concentration meter used in the method of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a gas filling and packaging machine to which the first embodiment of the method of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 3 is a detection means of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the detection means of the second embodiment, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the detection means of the third embodiment, FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the detection means of the fourth embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the detection means of the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the detection means of the sixth embodiment.

  The gas concentration measurement method in the packaging machine of the present invention measures the oxygen concentration, which is a specific gas, in a packaging container packaged by gas replacement. As a measuring means, a laser type gas concentration meter M having a known structure described below is used.

  This laser gas concentration meter M uses infrared absorption spectroscopy using a semiconductor laser as a light source. When light of a natural frequency is given to a molecule to be measured, it absorbs light energy and measures the gas concentration. Is displayed. As shown in FIG. 1, the laser gas concentration meter M includes a laser generation unit 10 and a laser light receiving unit 20.

  The laser generator 10 has a function of generating laser light of a specific wavelength and irradiating the measurement gas via the fiber cable 15, and is output from the power supply unit 11 that supplies a stable power source to the laser diode and the laser diode. It comprises a cooler unit 12 for stabilizing the wavelength of laser light and its intensity, and a temperature controller 13 for keeping the temperature of the cooler of the cooler unit 12 constant.

  The laser receiving unit 20 has a function of measuring the intensity of laser light absorbed by the measurement gas via the fiber cable 22 and outputting the gas concentration from the intensity, and the laser irradiated from the laser generating unit 10 It comprises a measurement / display unit 21 that measures and displays laser light that has been absorbed through the measurement gas and converts it into oxygen concentration.

  Reference numeral 25 denotes a transmitter that emits laser light having a specific wavelength. In the case of oxygen gas, the wavelength (natural frequency) is selected from the range of 760 to 770 nm. Reference numeral 27 denotes a receiver that receives the laser light oscillated from the transmitter 25, and may use the reflecting prism shown in FIG. Reference numeral 26 denotes a detection unit that converts the laser beam irradiated from the transmitter 25, transmitted through the measurement gas, and caught through the reflecting prism into a current and outputs the current to the measurement / display unit 21.

(Example 1)
A rotary type gas filling and packaging machine P to which the first embodiment of the method of the present invention is applied is shown in FIG. This packaging machine P includes a bag feeding process (1), a printing process (2) such as the expiration date, a packaging bag opening process (3), a filling process (4), a pushing process (5), and a nozzle insertion. And from the 16 steps of the temporary sealing step (6), the gas replacement / burning step (7) to (13), the top sealing step (14), the seal cooling / gas replacement detection step (15), and the product removal step (16) Become.

  On the machine base 31 of the packaging machine P, a stand that freely supports a vertical intermittent rotation shaft is provided, and a disk-shaped rotating body 32 attached to the intermittent rotation shaft has a packaging bag a serving as a packaging container. 16 grip pairs g for gripping or releasing are provided so as to protrude radially at equal angular intervals. In addition, the packaging bag a needs to be transparent as a whole or partially have a transparent portion.

  In the seal cooling / gas replacement detecting step (15), the detecting means 35 of the laser gas concentration meter M is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the detection means 35 pivotally supports a pair of vertical levers 37 on a base 36 attached to the machine base 31 so that the lever 37 can swing. A transmitter 27 is attached to the transmitter 25 and the other lever 37. A pad plate 25 a is provided on the front surface of the transmitter 25, and a pad plate 27 a is provided on the front surface of the receiver 27. The transmitter 25 and the receiver 27 are provided relatively close to and away from each other by swinging the levers 37 and 37 by the operation of a cam and lever mechanism (not shown).

  In the seal cooling / gas replacement detection step (15), a pair of cooling bars of the cooling means 40 for cooling the heat seal portion of the bag mouth b of the packaging bag a applied in the top seal step (14) of the previous step. 41 is provided so that contact / separation is possible.

  Accordingly, the transmitter 25 and the receiver 27 are brought into close contact with both sides of the packaging bag a and light transmissive portions by swinging the levers 37 and 37 by the operation of a cam and lever mechanism (not shown), In this state, the detecting means 35 of the first embodiment of the gas concentration measuring method in the packaging machine of the present invention for measuring the oxygen concentration in the packaging bag a is configured.

  Since the measurement method is described in the description of the laser gas concentration meter M, the description is omitted.

Embodiment 2
The detection means 45 of the second embodiment of the method of the present invention is shown in FIG. This detection means 45 is suitable for a gas-filling packaging machine that wraps an article to be packaged d such as an ampoule or an infusion bag in a packaging bag, and is provided during the packaging machine process, like the detection means 35 of the first embodiment. A box-shaped gas purge case 46 having only the front surface opened has a frame-like sponge 48 fixed to an opening 47 thereof, and a pipe joint 49 for introducing a purge gas such as nitrogen gas is provided on a side portion. The transmitter 25 and receiver (not shown) of the gas concentration meter M are housed in the two gas purge cases 46, 46, respectively. The gas purging cases 46, 46 are arranged with the front opening portions 47 facing each other, and are provided so as to be relatively close to and separated from each other by a slide mechanism (not shown).

  Accordingly, the gas purging cases 46 and 46 are brought into close contact with both sides of the packaging bag a supported by the grip pair g by the operation of a slide mechanism (not shown) and light transmissive, and the purge gas is allowed to flow. The detection means 45 of 2nd Embodiment of the gas concentration measuring method in the packaging machine of this invention which measures the oxygen concentration in the packaging bag a is comprised.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 shows the detection means 45a of the third embodiment of the method of the present invention. Since the detection means 45a has the same structure as the detection means 45 of the second embodiment, a detailed description will be omitted by adding a to the reference numeral used in the description of the detection means 45. This detection means 45a is suitable not only for a rotary type gas filling and packaging machine but also for a packaging machine having a structure for discharging the product e packaged in a packaging bag in the horizontal direction.

(Embodiment example 4)
FIG. 6 shows the detecting means 50 of the fourth embodiment of the method of the present invention. This detection means 50 is suitable for a vertical pillow packaging machine that forms a sheet-like film into a bag and fills and packs an object to be packaged in the bag, and the box-shaped gas purge of the detection means 50 in the product discharge path of the packaging machine. A chamber 51 is provided. In the gas purge chamber 51, an upper port 52 and a lower port 53 are formed in order to allow the packaging bags f that are packaged and not separated one by one to pass in the vertical direction, and the laser gas concentration meter M is formed therein. The transmitter 25 and the receiver 27 are arranged at a predetermined interval. Reference numeral 54 denotes a plurality of joints of piping for introducing purge gas provided at the side of the gas purge chamber 51.

  Thus, the gas concentration measuring method in the packaging machine of the present invention for measuring the oxygen concentration in the packaging bag f passing between the transmitter 25 and the receiver 27 in an atmosphere state in which the purge gas is flowed into the gas purge chamber 51. The detection means 50 of 4th Embodiment is comprised.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 7 shows the detecting means 60 of the fifth embodiment of the method of the present invention. This detection means 60 is suitable for a horizontal pillow packaging machine that forms a sheet-like film and fills and packs a packaged article in the bag, and is provided above the conveyor 65 that is a product discharge path of the packaging machine. Sixty gas purge chambers 61 are provided. An inlet 62 and an outlet 63 are formed in the gas purge chamber 61 so as to pass the packaged bags h that are packaged and not separated one by one, and the transmitter 25 of the laser type gas concentration meter M is formed therein. Receivers 27 are arranged at predetermined intervals. Reference numeral 64 denotes a plurality of joints of pipes for introducing purge gas provided at the top of the gas purge chamber 61.

  Thus, the gas concentration measurement method in the packaging machine of the present invention for measuring the oxygen concentration in the packaging bag h passing between the transmitter 25 and the receiver 27 in an atmosphere state in which purge gas is flowed into the gas purge chamber 61. The detection means 60 of 5th Embodiment is comprised.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 8 shows the detection means 70 of the sixth embodiment of the method of the present invention. This detection means 70 is suitable for a bottling and packaging machine for filling and packaging beverages and the like in bottles i, and a gas purge chamber 71 of the detection means 70 is provided above a conveyor 75 which is a product discharge path of the packaging machine. In the gas purge chamber 71, an inlet 72 and an outlet 73 are formed in order to allow the bottle i in the vertical direction to pass through, and the inside of the bottle i passing through the transmitter 25 and the receiver 27 of the laser gas concentration meter M is formed therein. They are arranged at predetermined intervals to correspond to the bottle mouths. Reference numeral 74 denotes a plurality of joints of piping for introducing purge gas provided at the top of the gas purge chamber 71.

  Thus, in the gas concentration measuring method in the packaging machine of the present invention, the oxygen concentration inside the bottle i passing between the transmitter 25 and the receiver 27 is measured in an atmosphere state in which purge gas is flowed into the gas purge chamber 71. The detection means 70 of 6th Embodiment is comprised.

  As described above, the gas concentration measurement method in this packaging machine is the state where the transmitter and receiver of the laser type gas concentration meter are in close contact with each other on both sides of the packaging container and at a light transmissive position, or without contact. Since the concentration of a specific gas such as oxygen in the packaging container is measured in an atmosphere state in which a purge gas is flowed, the concentration of the specific gas can be quickly measured for all the packaging containers without damaging the container at all. .

Explanatory drawing of laser gas concentration meter used in the method of the present invention Explanatory drawing of the gas filling packaging machine which applied 1st Embodiment of the method of this invention Explanatory drawing of the detection means of 1st Embodiment Explanatory drawing of the detection means of 2nd Embodiment Explanatory drawing of the detection means of 3rd Embodiment Explanatory drawing of the detection means of 4th Embodiment Explanatory drawing of the detection means of 5th Embodiment Explanatory drawing of the detection means of 6th Embodiment

Explanation of symbols

M ... laser type gas concentration meter 10 ... laser generating part 20 ... laser light receiving part 25 ... transmitter 27 ... receiver 46 ... gas purging cases 51, 61, 71,.・ Gas purge chamber a ・ ・ ・ Packing bag (packaging container)
i ... Bottle (packaging container)
P ... Gas filling and packaging machine

Claims (4)

A gas concentration measurement method for measuring the concentration of a specific gas in a packaging container packaged by gas replacement with a measuring means,
Laser type gas concentration comprising a laser generator having a transmitter for irradiating laser light of a specific wavelength as the measuring means, and a laser receiver having a receiver for receiving laser light oscillated from the transmitter Using a meter, the transmitter and receiver are placed in a relative position during the process of the packaging machine in which the packaging container is filled with an object to be packaged and gas is replaced with an inert gas, and then the opening is sealed. The concentration of the specific gas in the packaging container is measured in a state where the transmitter and the receiver are in close contact with each other on both sides of the packaging container and at places where light can be transmitted. Gas concentration measurement method in a packaging machine. A gas concentration measurement method for measuring the concentration of a specific gas in a packaging container packaged by gas replacement with a measuring means,
Laser type gas concentration comprising a laser generator having a transmitter for irradiating laser light of a specific wavelength as the measuring means, and a laser receiver having a receiver for receiving laser light oscillated from the transmitter Using a meter, the front openings are made to face each other during the process of the packaging machine in which the packaging container is filled with the object to be packaged and gas is replaced with an inert gas, and then the openings are sealed. The transmitter and the receiver are housed in a pair of gas purge cases arranged in parallel, and the gas purge cases are provided so as to be relatively close to and away from each other. A gas concentration measuring method in a packaging machine, characterized in that the concentration of a specific gas in the packaging container is measured in a state in which a case is brought into close contact with a purge gas. A gas concentration measurement method for measuring the concentration of a specific gas in a packaging container packaged by gas replacement with a measuring means,
Laser type gas concentration comprising a laser generator having a transmitter for irradiating laser light of a specific wavelength as the measuring means, and a laser receiver having a receiver for receiving laser light oscillated from the transmitter The transmitter and the receiver are placed in the product discharge path of the packaging machine in which the opening is sealed after the packaging container is filled with the object to be packaged and the gas is replaced with an inert gas. A packaging machine comprising a gas purge chamber arranged at a predetermined interval, and measuring a concentration of a specific gas in a packaging container passing between the transmitter and the receiver in a state in which the purge gas flows in the gas purge chamber Gas concentration measurement method.   The gas concentration measurement method in a packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein the packaging container is a packaging bag or a bottle.

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