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 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.