Lubricant for conveying containers

Abstract

The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a lubricant composition comprising a water-miscible silicone material having a silicone emulsion wherein the silicone emulsion contains less than 500 ppm of a triethanolamine salts of alkyl benzene sulfonic acid compounds.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of lubricating a conveyor system comprising:
 (a) installing a lubricant dispensing system comprising:
 (i) a conveyor belt; 
 (ii) a lubricant distribution line comprising a first end connected to a lubricant source, wherein either the lubricant source or the lubricant distribution line are pressurized to facilitate flow of a lubricant from the lubricant source and the pressure at the lubricant source or in the lubricant distribution line does not exceed 80 psi; and 
 (iii) a plurality of non-energized nozzles located along the lubricant distribution line; 
   (b) instructing an operator to use the lubricant dispensing system to intermittently apply a silicone lubricant to the conveyor belt, wherein the silicone lubricant forms a thin film on the conveyor belt having a thickness of less than about 2 mm.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the conveyor belt is motor-driven. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the conveyor belt is made of polyacetal or metal. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the pressure at the lubricant source or in the lubricant distribution line does not exceed 60 psi. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the non-energized nozzles have a flow rate of less than about 7.5 gallons/hour at pressure of less than about 60 psi when used with a silicone lubricant having a viscosity of less than about 40 centipoise when measured using a Brookfield viscometer with an RV2 spindle at a speed of 20 RPM. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the lubricant dispensing system is free of a lubricant distribution line with a pressure above 80 psi. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the lubricant dispensing system is free of a lubricant venting line. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the non-energized nozzle exhibits a spray pattern of a solid full cone, hollow cone, flat fan, or sheet-type of spray at pressure of less than about 60 psi when used with a silicone lubricant having a viscosity of less than about 40 centipoise when measured using a Brookfield viscometer with an RV2 spindle at a speed of 20 RPM. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the non-energized nozzle is an orifice nozzle. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the lubricant distribution line is pressurized by a pump. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the pump is selected from the group of a diaphragm pump, peristaltic pump, and piston pump. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , the lubricant dispensing system further comprising a discharge valve downstream of the pump. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the pump starts and stops automatically when the discharge valve is opened and closed. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 21 , the lubricant dispensing system further comprising a controller. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 21 , the silicone lubricant comprising about 0.1 to about 10 wt.% of a silicone emulsion and greater than  50  wt.% water. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein any additional lubricants in the silicone lubricant are present at less than 20 wt.%. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the silicone lubricant is applied to the conveyor belt by spraying. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the silicone lubricant 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. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the ratio of not applied:applied time is at least 30:1. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the ratio of not applied:applied time is at least 180:1. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the ratio of not applied:applied time is at least 1000:1. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the silicone lubricant has less than 5% failure when measured using the PET stress crack test. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the silicone lubricant has an alkalinity equivalent of less than about 100 ppm CaCO3. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the lubricant composition has an alkalinity equivalent of less than about 30 ppm CaCO3. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the silicone lubricant is diluted in the lubricant distribution line with a ratio of lubricant to water between 1:1 and 1:30. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the silicone lubricant creates a coefficient of friction on the conveyor belt of less than about 0.2. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the silicone lubricant creates a coefficient of friction on the conveyor belt of less than about 0.15. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the silicone lubricant creates a coefficient of friction on the conveyor belt of less than about 0.12. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the silicone emulsion consists of a silicone material and an emulsifier. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the silicone emulsion consists of a siloxane and an emulsifier. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the container is made of a material selected from the group consisting of glass, plastic, metal, paper, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the container is made of material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, aluminum, paper, glass, and mixtures thereof.