US 6,190,738 B1 · Process for cleaning a metal container providing enhanced mobility

Abstract

Disclosed is a process for cleaning and applying a mobility enhancer to a metal container, preferably to an aluminum can, the process comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the container with an aqueous acidic prewashing solution; (b) contacting the container with an aqueous acidic or alkaline cleaning solution; (c) rinsing the container with an aqueous acidic dispersion (d) rinsing the container with an aqueous acidic dispersion comprised of a mobility enhancing composition, the mobility enhancing composition comprising (i) at least one wax; and (ii) at least one surfactant, in an amount sufficient to decrease the coefficient of static friction on the outside surface of the container, and to provide a substantially water-break-free surface thereon. Processes for cleaning and applying a mobility enhancer to a metal container wherein the mobility enhancing composition described above is applied to the container during a conditioning rinse or conversion coating step, or during one of several water rinsing steps are also disclosed. The mobility enhancing composition provides improved mobility of aluminum cans as they are conveyed along trackwork from the can washing operation to other remote operations in a can manufacturing facility without adversely affecting subsequently applied internal and/or external can coatings.

Claims40

Dependent claims

A process for cleaning and applying a mobility enhancer to a metal container, said process comprising the following steps:

(a) contacting said container with an aqueous acidic prewashing solution;
(b) contacting said container with an aqueous acidic or alkaline cleaning solution;
(c) rinsing said container with an aqueous acidic composition;
(d) rinsing said container with a mobility enhancing composition, said mobility enhancing composition consisting essentially of an acidic aqueous dispersion of the following components in the dispersed phase:
(i) at least one wax selected from the group consisting of a petroleum wax, a mineral wax and a vegetable wax;
and
(ii) a surfactant;
in an amount sufficient to decrease the coefficient of static friction on the outside surface of the container to 1 or less, and to provide a substantially water break free surface;
(e) rinsing said container with tap water and/or de-ionized water;
(f) drying said container;
and
(g) conveying said container along a conveyor or trackwork.

9 more elements

A process for cleaning and applying a mobility enhancer to a metal container, said process comprising the following steps:

(a) contacting said container with an aqueous acidic prewashing solution;
(b) contacting said container with an aqueous acidic or alkaline cleaning solution;
(c) rinsing said container with an aqueous acidic composition;
(d) contacting said container with a conditioning rinse composition or a conversion coating composition, said conditioning rinse composition or conversion coating composition consisting essentially of a mobility enhancing composition, said mobility enhancing composition consisting essentially of an acidic aqueous dispersion of the following components in the dispersed phase:
(i) at least one wax selected from the group consisting of a petroleum wax, a mineral wax and a vegetable wax;
and
(ii) at least one surfactant;
in an amount sufficient to decrease the coefficient of static friction on the outside surface of the container to 1 or less, and to provide a substantially water break free surface;
(e) rinsing said container with an aqueous acidic composition;
(f) rinsing said container with de-ionized water;
(g) drying said container;
and
(h) conveying said container along a conveyor or trackwork.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Process for cleaning a metal container providing enhanced mobility

Life of this patent

Process for cleaning a metal container providing enhanced mobility

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims40