Lubricant for conveyor system
A composition and method of lubricating conveyor tracks or belts is herein described wherein the lubricant composition contains a fatty acid, a neutralizing agent, a polyalkylene glycol polymer and a monomeric polyol; also described are methods of manufacture of such lubricant compositions. The compositions may also comprise additional functional ingredients.
1 . A non-solid fatty acid lubricant composition having a viscosity up to about 10,000 centipoise when measured using spindle 5 at 60 RPM at room temperature comprising:
(a) at least about 25 wt. % of a fatty acid;
(b) a neutralizer;
(c) a polyalkylene glycol polymer; and
(c) a monomeric polyol.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an additional functional ingredient.
3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the additional functional ingredient is selected from the group consisting of surfactants, stabilizing/coupling agents, dispersing agents, anti-wear agents, antimicrobial agents, foam inhibiters/generators, viscosity modifiers, sequestrants/chelating agents, bleaching agents, stress crack inhibitors, friction modifiers, film forming agents, secondary lubricants, dyes, odorants, and mixtures thereof.
4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the viscosity of the composition is from about 100 centipoise to about 5,000 centipoise when measured using spindle 5 at 60 RPM at room temperature.
5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the viscosity of the composition is from about 100 centipoise to about 1,500 centipoise when measured using spindle 5 at 60 RPM at room temperature.
6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the fatty acid is oleic acid.
7 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the neutralizer is potassium hydroxide.
8 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polyalkylene glycol polymer is a block copolymer.
9 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the monomeric polyol is selected from the group consisting of hexylene glycol, propylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.
10 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the fatty acid comprises at least about 28 wt. % of the total composition.
11 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the neutralizer comprises from about 3 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of the total composition.
12 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the polyalkylene glycol polymer comprises up to about 25 wt. % of the total composition.
13 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the monomeric polyol comprises up to about 25 wt. % of the total composition.
14 . The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a carrier.
15 . The composition of claim 14 , wherein the carrier is selected from the group consisting of water, methanol, ethanol, propanol, or butanol, or mixtures thereof.
16 . A method of lubricating a conveyor system for transporting a container, the method comprising:
(a) providing a lubricant concentrate, the lubricant concentrate having a viscosity up to about 10,000 centipoise when measured using spindle 5 at 60 RPM at room temperature, the lubricant concentrate comprising:
(i) at least about 25 wt. % of a fatty acid;
(ii) a neutralizer; and
(iii) a monomeric polyol;
(b) mixing the lubricant concentrate with a carrier to form a lubricant composition; and
(c) applying the lubricant composition to a surface of a belt or track of the conveyor.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the lubricant concentrate further comprises a polyalkylene glycol polymer.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the lubricant concentrate has a viscosity from about 100 centipoise to about 5,000 centipoise when measured using spindle 5 at 60 RPM at room temperature.
19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the lubricant concentrate has a viscosity from about 100 centipoise to about 1,500 centipoise when measured using spindle 5 at 60 RPM at room temperature.
20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the fatty acid comprises at least about 28 wt. % of the total composition.
21 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the neutralizer comprises from about 5 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of the total composition.
22 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the polyalkylene glycol polymer comprises up to about 25 wt. % of the total composition.
23 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the monomeric polyol comprises up to about 25 wt. % of the total composition.
24 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the container is a plastic container.
25 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the container is a metal container.
26 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the container is a glass container.
27 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the carrier comprises water, methanol, ethanol, propanol, or butanol, or mixtures thereof.
28 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the lubricant composition is thermoplastic compatible.
29 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the lubricant composition is polyethylene terephthalate compatible.
30 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the composition has an alkalinity level of less than about 100 ppm.
31 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the composition has an alkalinity level of less than about 50 ppm.
32 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the composition is a dry lubricant.
33 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the composition is a non-dripping liquid lubricant.
34 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the composition further comprises an additional functional ingredient.
35 . The composition of claim 34 , wherein the additional functional ingredient is selected from the group consisting of surfactants, stabilizing/coupling agents, dispersing agents, anti-wear agents, antimicrobial agents, foam inhibiters/generators, viscosity modifiers, sequestrants/chelating agents, bleaching agents, stress crack inhibitors, friction modifiers, film forming agents, secondary lubricants, dyes, odorants, and mixtures thereof.
36 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the composition is compatible with ink used on the containers.