Dry lubricant for conveying containers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10851325-B2
Application number	US-201816012208-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 19, 2018
Priority date	Mar 15, 2005
Publication date	Dec 1, 2020
Grant date	Dec 1, 2020

Abstract

The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a mixture of a water-miscible silicone material and a water-miscible lubricant. The mixture can be applied in relatively low amounts, to provide thin, substantially non-dripping lubricating films. In contrast to dilute aqueous lubricants, the lubricants of the invention provide drier lubrication of the conveyors and containers, a cleaner conveyor line and reduced lubricant usage, thereby reducing waste, cleanup and disposal problems.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of lubricating the passage of a container along a conveyor comprising applying a lubricant composition through a nozzle without the use of high pressure, compressed air, or sonication to create a thin film, the lubricant composition comprising:
about 0.1 to about 10 wt. % of a silicone emulsion;
and
greater than 50% water
wherein the amount of any water-miscible lubricant is less than about 20 wt. % and the thin film has a thickness of less than about 2 mm.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant composition is phase stable.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant composition is applied to a container or conveyor surface by spraying.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant composition is applied for a period of time and not applied for a period of time and the ratio of not applied:applied time is at least 10:1.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of not applied:applied time is at least 30:1.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of not applied:applied time is at least 180:1.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of not applied:applied time is at least 1000:1.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant composition has less than 5% failure when measured using the PET stress crack test.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant composition has an alkalinity equivalent of less than about 100 ppm CaCO 3 .

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant composition has an alkalinity equivalent of less than about 30 ppm CaCO 3 .

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant is diluted in line with a ratio of lubricant to water between 1:1 and 1:30.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant composition maintains a coefficient of friction of less than about 0.2.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant composition maintains a coefficient of friction of less than about 0.15.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant composition maintains a coefficient of friction of less than about 0.12.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the silicone emulsion consists of a silicone material and an emulsifier.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the silicone emulsion consists of a siloxane and an emulsifier.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the container is made of a material selected from the group consisting of glass, plastic, metal, paper, and mixtures thereof.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the container is made of material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, aluminum, paper, glass, and mixtures thereof.

19. A method of lubricating the passage of a container along a conveyor comprising spraying a lubricant composition without the use of high pressure, compressed air, or sonication to create a thin film on the conveyor surface, the lubricant composition comprising:
about 0.1 to about 10 wt. % of a silicone emulsion; and
greater than 70% water;
wherein the lubricant composition is applied for a period of time and not applied for a period of time and the ratio of not applied:applied time is at least 30:1, the lubricant composition is not diluted upon application, the thin film has a thickness of less than about 2 mm, and the lubricant composition maintains a coefficient of friction of less than about 0.2.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the lubricant composition is phase stable.

21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the ratio of not applied:applied time is at least 180:1.

22. The method of claim 19 , wherein the ratio of not applied:applied time is at least 1000:1.

23. The method of claim 19 , wherein the lubricant composition has less than 5% failure when measured using the PET stress crack test.

24. The method of claim 19 , wherein the lubricant composition has an alkalinity equivalent of less than about 100 ppm CaCO 3 .

25. The method of claim 19 , wherein the lubricant composition has an alkalinity equivalent of less than about 30 ppm CaCO 3 .

26. The method of claim 19 , wherein the lubricant is diluted in line with a ratio of lubricant to water between 1:1 and 1:30.

27. The method of claim 19 , wherein the lubricant composition maintains a coefficient of friction of less than about 0.15.

28. The method of claim 19 , wherein the lubricant composition maintains a coefficient of friction of less than about 0.12.

29. The method of claim 19 , wherein the silicone emulsion consists of a silicone material and an emulsifier.

30. The method of claim 19 , wherein the silicone emulsion consists of a siloxane and an emulsifier.

31. The method of claim 19 , wherein the container is made of a material selected from the group consisting of glass, plastic, metal, paper, and mixtures thereof.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the container is made of material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, aluminum, paper, glass, and mixtures thereof.

Assignees

• Ecolab Usa Inc

Inventors

• Valencia Sil Arturo S
• Grab Lawrence A
• Schmidt Bruce E
• Halsrud David A
• Wei Guang-Jong Jason
• Morrison Eric D
• Dibenedetto Hector R

Classifications

• C10N2050/02

  dissolved or suspended in a carrier which subsequently evaporates to leave a lubricant coating · CPC title

• C10N2040/00

  Specified use or application for which the lubricating composition is intended · CPC title

• C10N2030/06

  Oiliness; Film-strength; Anti-wear; Resistance to extreme pressure · CPC title

• C10M173/02 Primary

  not containing mineral or fatty oils · CPC title

• C10M2229/0465

  used as base material · CPC title