Dry lubricant for conveying containers
AssigneeEcolab Inc.
InventorsArturo S. Valencia Sil, Lawrence A. Grab, Bruce E. Schmidt, David A. Halsrud, Guang-Jong Jason Wei, Eric D. Morrison, Hector R. DiBenedetto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims41
A method for lubricating the passage of a container along a conveyor, comprising applying an undiluted lubricant composition through non-energized nozzles to at least a portion of the container-contacting surface of the conveyor or to at least a portion of the conveyor-contacting surface of the container, the lubricant composition comprising:
- a. from about 0.05 to about 20 wt. % of a fatty acid;
- b. from about 0.1 to about 10 wt. % of a water-miscible silicone material;
- and
- c. from about 70 to about 99.9 wt. % water.
A method for lubricating the passage of a container along a conveyor, comprising applying an undiluted lubricant composition through non-energized nozzles to at least a portion of the container-contacting surface of the conveyor or to at least a portion of the conveyor-contacting surface of the container, the lubricant composition comprising:
- a. from about 0.05 to about 20 wt.% phosphate ester;
- b. from about 0.1 to about 10 wt. % of a water-miscible silicone material;
- and
- c. from about 70 to about 99.9 wt. % water.
A method for lubricating the passage of a container along a conveyor, comprising applying an undiluted lubricant composition though non-energized nozzles to at least a portion of the container-contacting surface of the conveyor or to at least a portion of the conveyor-contacting surface of the container, the lubricant composition comprising:
- a. from about 0.05 to about 20 wt. % of an amine;
- b. from about 0.1 to about 10 wt. % of a water-miscible silicone material;
- and
- c. from about 70 to about 99.9 wt. % water.
A method for lubricating the passage of a container along a conveyor comprising applying an undiluted lubricant composition through non-energized nozzles to at least a portion of the container-contacting surface of the conveyor or at least a portion of the conveyor-contacting surface of the container, the undiluted lubricant composition comprising a mixture of a water-miscible silicone material and a water-miscible lubricant, wherein the lubricant composition is applied for a period of time and not applied for a period of time and the ratio of applied:not applied time is at least 1:10.
A method for lubricating the passage of a container along a conveyor comprising applying an undiluted lubricant composition through non-energized nozzles to at least a portion of the containers-contacting surface of the conveyor or at least a portion of the conveyor-contacting surface of the containers, the undiluted lubricant composition comprising a water-miscible silicone material, wherein the lubricant composition is applied for a period of time and not applied for a period of time and the ratio of applied:not applied time is at least 1:10.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.