Lubricant for conveyor system

Abstract

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.