Dry lubricant for conveying containers
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.
1. A method for lubricating the passage of a container along a conveyor comprising:
applying a lubricant composition through a nonenergized nozzle, the lubricant composition comprising:
from about 0.1 to about 10 wt. % of a silicone material selected from the group consisting of a silicone emulsion, a silicone surfactant, a silicone fluid, and mixtures thereof; and
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 10:1.
2. The method of claim 1 , the lubricant composition further comprising a material selected from the group consisting of a water-miscible lubricant, an antimicrobial agent, an antistatic agent, and mixtures thereof.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the water-miscible lubricant is selected from the group consisting of a phosphate ester, amine, fatty acid, and mixtures thereof.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the silicone material comprises alkyl or aryl silicone; functionalized silicone selected from chlorosilanes, amino-substituted siloxanes, methoxy-substituted siloxanes, epoxy-substituted siloxanes, and vinyl-substituted siloxanes; or silanol.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of not applied to applied time is at least 30:1.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of not applied to applied time is at least 180:1.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of not applied to 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 composition is not diluted.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant composition is diluted in line with a ratio of lubricant to water between 1:1 and 1:30.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant composition maintains a coefficient of friction of less than about 0.2 over the entire period of use.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition maintains a coefficient of friction of less than about 0.15 over the entire period of use.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition maintains a coefficient of friction of less than about 0.12 over the entire period of use.