Dry lubricant for conveying containers

Abstract

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 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A method of lubricating a conveyor system comprising:
 (a) installing a lubricant dispensing system comprising:
 (i) a conveyor belt; 
 (ii) a lubricant pump; and 
 (iii) a plurality of non-energized nozzles; 
   (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.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the conveyor belt is motor-driven. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the conveyor belt is made of plastic or metal. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41 , the silicone lubricant comprising about 0.1 to about 10 wt. % of a silicone emulsion and greater than 50 wt. % water. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein any additional lubricants in the silicone lubricant are present at less than 20 wt. %. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the silicone lubricant is applied to the conveyor belt by spraying. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 41 , 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. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the ratio of not applied:applied time is at least 30:1. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the ratio of not applied:applied time is at least 180:1. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the ratio of not applied:applied time is at least 1000:1. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the silicone lubricant has an alkalinity equivalent of less than about 100 ppm CaCO3. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the lubricant composition has an alkalinity equivalent of less than about 30 ppm CaCO3. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the silicone lubricant creates a coefficient of friction on the conveyor belt of less than about 0.2. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the silicone lubricant creates a coefficient of friction on the conveyor belt of less than about 0.15. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the silicone lubricant creates a coefficient of friction on the conveyor belt of less than about 0.12. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the silicone emulsion consists of a silicone material and an emulsifier. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the silicone emulsion consists of a siloxane and an emulsifier. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the container is made of a material selected from the group consisting of glass, plastic, metal, paper, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the container is made of material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, aluminum, paper, glass, and mixtures thereof.