WO2008121720A1

WO2008121720A1 - Conveyor lubricants and methods for making and using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2008121720A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/058466
Authority: WO
Inventors: Barry D. Sperling
Original assignee: Johnsondiversey, Inc.
Priority date: 2007-03-29
Filing date: 2008-03-27
Publication date: 2008-10-09

Abstract

Conveyor lubricants comprising oil-in-water macroemulsions. The lubricants are made by combining water and least one oil and applying high sheer mixing to produce the macro emulsion. The lubricants may be applied to a conveyor surface and/or container surface to facilitate the movement of containers along a conveyor.

Description

CONVEYOR LUBRICANTS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THE SAME

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to conveyor lubricants and methods for making and using the same. In particular, the present invention relates to conveyor lubricants for beverage and food processing applications.

[0002] Conveyors are used in the beverage and food processing industries to move containers such as bottles, jars, cartons and cans throughout a processing plant. The containers are typically placed upright on the surface (or track) of the conveyor and transported at a relatively high rate of speed to various stations in the plant where the containers may be filled, capped, labeled, sealed and packaged for shipment. Lubricants are frequently applied to the conveyor surface to reduce the coefficient of friction between the containers and load-bearing surface of the conveyor thus facilitating the movement of the containers from one station to the next.

[0003] Fatty acid soaps provide an inexpensive and clean way to move containers along a conveyor, and for years fatty acid soaps dominated the conveyor lubricant industry. However, these soaps had a tendency to fostered the growth of biofilms. Moreover, in the case of thermoplastic beverage containers, such as those made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), fatty acid soaps were found to promote environmental stress cracking. Although the lubricant industry has responded with several new conveyor lubricants over the years, there is an ongoing need to provide alternative compositions and methods for lubricating conveyor systems.

SUMMARY

[0004] In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of making a conveyor lubricant, the method comprising combining water and at least one oil to form a mixture, and applying high mechanical shearing to the mixture to produce a macro emulsion.

[0005] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of lubricating a conveyor system, the method comprising applying a lubricant to one of a conveyor surface, a container surface or a combination thereof, wherein the lubricant is a macroemulsion comprising at least one oil dispersed in water. [0006] In a further embodiment, the invention provides a macroemulsion comprising an oleo saccharide and polyisobutylene succinic anhydride.

[0007] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. It also is understood that any numerical range recited herein includes all values from the lower value to the upper value. For example, if a concentration range is stated as 1% to 50%, it is intended that values such as 2% to 40%, 10% to 30%, or 1% to 3%, etc., are expressly enumerated in this specification. These are only examples of what is specifically intended, and all possible combinations of numerical values between and including the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application.

[0009] Definitions

[0010] Definitions of various terms used herein are provided below.

[0011] Detergent refers to a cleaning agent, particularly a synthetic liquid that dissolves dirt and oil.

[0012] Dispersing agent refers to a liquid that facilitates or improves the distribution of small particles or droplets in a medium.

[0013] Dispersion refers to the distribution of finely divided particles or droplets in a medium. [0014] An emulsifier refers to a chemical agent that maintains or creates an emulsion. Emulsifiers may include surfactants and dispersants.

[0015] Emulsion refers to a stable dispersion of one liquid in a second immiscible liquid, such as an oil dispersed in water or water dispersed in an oil.

[0016] High mechanical shearing (or micro fluidizing) refers to an energy intensive process by which immiscible fluids are combined into a dispersion or emulsion by the controlled formation and integration of droplets.

[0017] Macro emulsion refers to an oil-in- water or water-in-oil emulsion generally comprising droplets having a diameter of at least about 1 μm. In a macroemulsion, light is either reflected or scattered by the droplets, giving the macroemulsion an opaque (i.e., cloudy or white) appearance.

[0018] Oil refers to a liquid substance at room temperature that is slippery and immiscible in water. The term oil includes any of the numerous natural and synthetic oils.

[0019] Stable emulsion refers to an emulsion that remains monophasic (i.e., no separating droplets appear on top of the liquid) for a period of at least 72 hours at temperatures between, and including, 0⁰C to about 50⁰C.

[0020] Surfactant refers to a chemical agent that reduces the surface tension of liquids.

[0021] Tall oil refers to a resinous oily liquid composed of a mixture of rosin acids and fatty acids obtained as a byproduct in the treatment of wood pulp.

[0023] Lubricant Formulations

[0024] The lubricants of the present invention comprise macroemulsions made by combining one or more oils with water using a high shearing device. The lubricants may be used in the beverage and food industries as conveyor lubricants.

[0025] A macroemulsion is a dispersion of one liquid phase in another liquid phase, each phase being substantially insoluble in the other. The macroemulsion may be in the form of either an oil-in-water macroemulsion or water-in-oil macroemulsion. In an oil-in-water macroemulsion, the oil is dispersed as small droplets in a continuous water or aqueous phase. In a water-in-oil macro emulsion, water droplets are dispersed in a continuous oil phase. The droplet sizes in a macro emulsion are typically at least about 1 μm. Droplets of this size will scatter or reflect white light, giving the macroemulsion an opaque (i.e., cloudy or milky) appearance. The macroemulsion droplets will generally agglomerate, coalesce and, at some point, may separate from the continuous phase.

[0026] Any one or more of the natural and/or synthetic oils may be used alone or in combination in the macroemulsions making up the lubricant formulations. Natural oils may include animal oils, vegetable oils, mineral oils, petroleum oils, and oils derived from coal or shale. Synthetic oils may include materials synthesized from building blocks of larger and/or smaller molecules which when reacted together form a liquid material whose physical properties resemble an oil. Suitable oils are typically liquids at temperatures of about 0° C to about 50° C. Nonlimiting examples of various natural and synthetic oils are provided below.

[0027] Natural oils include a variety of fatty acids having the general formula RCOOH, wherein R represents an aliphatic group having from about 4 to about 30 carbon atoms. The aliphatic group may be branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, and substituted or unsubstituted. In some embodiments, the chain of the alkyl groups may contain from about 4 to about 30 carbon atoms, particularly from about 6 to about 24 carbon atoms, and more particularly from about 12 to about 24 carbon atoms. Exemplary saturated fatty acids may include enanthic acid (heptanoic acid, C₇), caprylic acid (octanoic acid, Cg), pelargonic acid (nonanoic acid, C_?), capric acid (decanoic acid, C_1O), undecyclic acid (undecanoic acid, Cn)₃ lauric acid (dodecanoic acid, Cu), trideclic acid (tridecanoic acid, C₁₃), myristic acid (tetradecanoic acid, C ₁4), palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid, Ci₆), stearic acid (octadecanoic acid, C is), arachidic acid (eicosanoic acid, C₂o), behenic acid (docosanoic acid, C₂₂) and lignoceric acid (tetracosanoic acid, C₂₄). Exemplary monounsaturated fatty acids may include lauroleic acid (C₁₂), myristoleic acid (Ci₄), palmitoleic acid (Ci₆), oleic acid (C₁₈), gadoleic acid (C₂o) and brassidic acid (C₂₂)- Suitable polyunsaturated fatty acids may include linoleic acid (di-unsaturated acid, Ci₈), and linolenic acid (tri-unsaturated acid, Ci₈). An exemplary substituted fatty acid may include ricinoleic acid (hydroxy-substituted Ci₈).

[0028] Vegetable and animal oils are an important source of fatty acids. Vegetable oils may be obtained from plant, fruit and seed matter through chemical or physical extraction. Exemplary vegetable oils include acai oil, algae oil, almond oil, amaranth oil, amur cork tree fruit oil, apple seed oil, apricot oil, argan oil, artichoke oil, avocado oil, babassu oil, balanos oil, ben oil, blackcurrant seed oil, bladderpod oil, borage seed oil, borneo tallow nut oil, brucea javanica oil, buffalo gourd oil, burdock oil, candlenut oil (kukui nut oil), canola oil, carob pod oil (algaroba oil), carrot seed oil, cashew oil, castor oil, chaulmoogra oil, coconut oil, copaiba oil, coriander seed oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, crambe oil, cuphea oil, dammar oil, evening primrose oil, false flax oil, grape seed oil, hazelnut oil, hemp oil, honge oil, jatropha oil, jojoba oil, kapok seed oil, lallemantia oil, lemon oil, linseed oil, macadamia oil, mango oil, meadowfoam seed oil, milk bush, mowrah butter, mustard oil, neem oil, okra seed oil, olive oil, orange oil, palm kernel oil, palm oil, peanut oil, pecan oil, perilla seed oil, pequi oil, petroleum nut oil, pine nut oil, pistachio oil, poppyseed oil, prune kernel oil, pumpkin seed oil, quinoa oil, radish oil, ramtil oil, rapeseed oil, rice bran oil, rosehip seed oil, safflower oil, sea buckthorn oil, sesame oil, shea butter, snowball seed oil, soybean oil, stillingia oil, sunflower oil, tall oil, tamanu oil, tea oil, thistle oil, tonka bean oil (cumaru oil), tung oil, vernonia oil, walnut oil, watermelon seed oil and wheat germ oil. Exemplary animal oils include Dippel's oil, bone oil, cod liver oil, lanolin, fish oil, halibut-liver oil, lard oil, menhaden oil, neat's-foot oil, oleo oil, porpoise oil, dolphin oil, salmon oil, sardine oil, seal oil, shark oil, sperm oil, tallow oil and train oil.

[0029] Mineral oils may include all common mineral oil base stocks. This would include oils that are paraffmic, naphthenic and/or aromatic in chemical structure Mineral oils also include oils that are refined by conventional methodology using acid, alkali, clay or other agents such as aluminum chloride, or extracted oils produced, for example, by solvent extraction with solvents such as phenol, sulfur dioxide, furfural or dichlorodiethyl ether. The mineral oil may be hydrotreated or hydrorefined, dewaxed by chilling or catalytic dewaxing processes, or hydrocracked. The mineral oil may be produced from natural crude sources, be composed of isomerized wax materials, or be composed of residues of other refining processes.

[0030] The oils may be derived from refined, re-refined oils, or mixtures thereof. Unrefined oils are obtained directly from a natural source or synthetic source (e.g., coal, shale, or tar sands bitumen) without further purification or treatment. Examples of unrefined oils include shale oil obtained directly from a retorting operation, petroleum oil obtained directly from distillation, or an ester oil obtained directly from an esterification process, each of which is then used without further treatment. Refined oils are similar to the unrefined oils except that refined oils have been treated in one or more purification steps to improve one or more properties. Suitable purification techniques include distillation, hydrotreating, dewaxing, solvent extraction, acid or base extraction, filtration, and percolation, all of which are known to those skilled in the art. Re-refined oils are obtained by treating used oils in processes similar to those used to obtain the refined oils. These re-refined oils are also known as reclaimed or reprocessed oils and are often additionally processed by techniques for removal of spent additives and oil breakdown products.

[0031] A synthetic oil refers to a material that is synthesized by reacting larger and/or smaller molecules to form a liquid material having oil-like consistency. Examples of synthetic oils may include synthetic hydrocarbons, organic esters, poly(alkylene glycol)s, high molecular weight alcohols, carboxylic acids, phosphate esters, perfluoroalkylpolyethers (PFPE), silicates, silicones such as silicone surfactants, chlorotrifluoroethylene, polyphenyl ethers, polyethylene glycols, oxypolyethylene glycols, copolymers of ethylene and propylene oxide.

[0032] Specific examples of synthetic oils include polymerized and interpolymerized olefins (e.g., polybutylenes, polypropylenes, propylene-isobutylene copolymers, chlorinated polybutylenes, poly(l-hexenes), poly(l-octenes) and poly(l-decenes)), alkylbenzenes (e.g., dodecylbenzenes, tetradecylbenzenes, dinonylbenzenes and di(2-ethylhexyl)-benzenes), polyphenols (e.g., biphenyls, terphenyls and alkylated polyphenyls), alkylated diphenyl ethers, alkylated diphenyl sulfides, as well as their derivatives, analogs, and homologs thereof. Other examples include polymerized olefins of less than 5 carbon atoms (e.g., ethylene, propylene, butylenes, ϊsobutene, pentene), liquid polymers of alpha olefins, and hydro genated liquid oligomers of C₆ to Ci₂ alpha olefins (e.g., 1-decene trimer).

[0033] Another class of useful synthetic lubricating oils include alkylene oxide polymers, i.e., homopolymers, interpolymers, and derivatives thereof where the terminal hydroxyl groups have been modified by, for example, esterification or etherification. These oils are exemplified by the oils prepared through polymerization of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, the alkyl and phenyl ethers of these polyoxyalkylene polymers (e.g., methyl polypropylene glycol ether having an average molecular weight of 1,000 and diphenyl ether of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 500-1000, diethyl ether of polypropylene glycol having a molecular weight of 1,000-1,500) or mono- and polycarboxylic esters thereof (e.g., acetic esters, mixed C₃-Cg fatty acid esters, or the Ci₃oxo acid diester of tetraethylene glycol). [0034] Yet another class of useful synthetic lubricating oils include the esters of dicarboxylic acids (e.g., phthalic acid, succinic acid, alkyl succinic acids, alkenyl succinic acids, maleic acid, azelaic acid, suberic acid, sebacic acid, ramaric acid, adipic acid, linoleic acid dimer, malonic acids, alkyl malonic acids and alkenyl malonic acids) with a variety of alcohols (e.g., butyl alcohol, hexyl alcohol, dodecyl alcohol, 2-ethylhexyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, di ethylene glycol monoether and propylene glycol). Specific examples of these esters include dibutyl adipate, di(2-ethylhexyl)sebacate, di-n-hexyl fumarate, dioctyl sebacate, diisooctyl azelate, diisodecyl azelate, dioctyl phthalate, didecyl phthalate and dieicosyl sebacate.

[0035] Esters useful as synthetic oils also include those made from carboxylic acids having from about 5 to about 12 carbon atoms with alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, polyols and polyol ethers such as neopentyl glycol, trimethylol propane, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol and tripentaerythritol).

[0036] Silicon-based oils comprise another useful class of synthetic lubricating oils. Polyalkyl-, polyaryl-, polyalkoxy- or polyaryloxy-siloxane oils and silicate oils are useful classes of silicon-based oils. Specific examples include tetraethyl silicate, tetra-isopropyl silicate, tetra-(2-ethylhexyl) silicate, tetra-(4-methyl-2-ethylhexyl)silicate, tetra-(p-tert- butylphenyl)silicate, poly(dimethyl)siloxane, hexamethyldisiloxane, octamethyltrisiloxane decamethyltetrasiloxane, dodecamethylpentasiloxane, hexyl-(4-methyl-2-pentoxy)disiloxane, poly(methyl)siloxanes, poly(methylphenyl)siloxanes and phenyl dimethyl siloxane oil. Commercially available silicone oils include Silwet^® L-42 (available from Momentive Performance Materials of Wilton, Connecticut), Dow Corning^® Q7-9180 silicones, Dow Corning^® Q7-9120 silicones and Dow Corning 200 Silicone oils (available from Dow Corning of Midland, Michigan), GE SF96 silicones, GE Viscasil silicones LE-42 and LE-46 (available from GE Silicones of Wilton, Connecticut) and Wacker Silicone Fluids AK (available from Wacker of Adrian, Michigan). In some embodiments, suitable silicone oils have a viscosity from about 1 cSt to about 10,000 cSt at 25° C.

[0037] Still yet other useful synthetic lubricating oils include liquid esters of phosphorous containing acids (e.g., tricresyl phosphate, trioctyl phosphate and diethyl ester of decane phosphionic acid) and polymeric tetrahydrofurans. [0038] A particularly useful class of synthetic oils are the oleo saccharides. Oleo saccharides may be derived from the reaction between one or more fatty acids and sugar. Examples of fatty acids that may be used to make the oleo saccharides include those having the general formula RCOOH, wherein R represents an aliphatic group having from about 4 to about 30 carbon atoms. The aliphatic group may be branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, and substituted or unsubstituted. In some embodiments, the chain of the alkyl groups may contain from about 4 to about 30 carbon atoms, particularly from about 6 to about 24 carbon atoms, and more particularly from about 12 to about 24 carbon atoms. Exemplary sugars may include monosaccharides (e.g., glucose, fructose, galactose and mannose), disaccharides (e.g., sucrose, lactose, maltose, cellobiose and isomaltose) and oligosaccharides (e.g., raffinose). An example of a common oleo saccharide is olean (or olestra) which comprises a central sucrose molecule with eight ester-linked oleic acid molecules. Commercially available oleo saccharides include SEFOSE^sm 1618S Soyate, SEFOSE^sm 2275 Behenate and SEFOSE^sm 1618H Stearate (available from P&G Chemicals of Cincinnati, Ohio).

[0039] Water

[0040] One or more oils may be sheared in water to form the lubricant. The source of the water is not limited. However, distilled water, deionized water, super pure water, and ultrafiltrate may be used to minimize the introduction of impurities into the lubricant. The water may also be sterilized by UV radiation and/or the addition of hydrogen peroxide. The amount of oil (by weight) in the lubricant is at least about 1%, particularly at least about 5%, and more particularly at least about 10%. Furthermore, the amount of oil (by weight) in the lubricant is less than or equal to about 50%, particularly less than or equal to about 35%, and more particularly less than or equal to about 20%. This includes embodiments where the amount of oil (by weight) in the lubricant is about 1% to about 50%, particularly about 2% to about 35%, and more particularly about 2% to about 10%.

[0041] Other Ingredients

[0042] In addition to oil and water, other ingredients may be used to impart desired properties to the resultant lubricant. Such ingredients may include detergents, dispersants, emulsifiers, surfactants (cationic, anionic, amphoteric and nonionic), antimicrobial agents, biofilm reducing agents, chelating agents or sequestrants, thickeners or other viscosity modifiers, bleaching or decolorizing agents, colorants, odorants, antioxidants, friction modifiers, anticorrosion agents, rust inhibitors, antistatic agents, stress cracking inhibitors, thinners, foam inhibitors, foam generators, one or more pH adjusters (e.g., potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide), neutralizing agents, buffers (e.g., potassium carbonate), hydrotropes, solubilizers/couplers, preservatives (e.g., methyl paraben), binders, processing aids, carriers and film forming materials.

[0043] Detergents which are suited to incorporation in the lubricants of the invention may include sodium laureth sulphate, alkyl sulphates, alkyl ether sulphates, α-Olefin sulphonates, paraffin sulphonates, isethionates, sarcosinates, taurides, acyl lactylates, sulphosuccinates, carboxylates, protein condensates, betaines, glycinates, amine oxides and alkyl polyglyco sides. The amount (by weight) of detergents in the lubricant formulation can range from 0% to about 30%, particularly about 0.5% to about 20 %, and more particularly from about 1% to about 15%.

[0044] Suitable dispersants may include polyalkylene succinic anhydrides; non-nitrogen containing derivatives of a polyalkylene succinic anhydride; a basic nitrogen compound selected from the group consisting of succinimides, carboxylic acid amides, hydrocarbyl monoamines, hydrocarbyl polyamines, Mannich bases, phosphonoamides, thiophosphonamides andphosphoramides; thiazoles (e.g., 2,5-dimercapto-l,3,4-thiadiazoles, mercaptobenzothiazoles and derivatives thereof); triazoles (e.g., alkyltriazoles and benzotriazoles); and copolymers which contain a carboxylate ester with one or more additional polar functional groups, including amine, amide, imine, imide, hydroxyl and carboxyl (e.g., products prepared by copolymerization of long chain alkyl acrylates or methacrylates with monomers of the above function). Derivatives of these dispersants, e.g., borated dispersants such as borated succinimides, may also be used. The amount (by weight) of dispersants in the lubricant formulation can range from 0% to about 30%, particularly about 0.5% to about 20 %, and more particularly from about 1% to about 15%.

[0045] The lubricant formulations may optionally include a surfactant. The surfactant functions as an adjuvant to increase detergency and lubricity. Compounds which may be used as surfactants in the invention include, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, anionic surfactants, and cationic surfactants among other compounds. Any desired surfactant can be used in an amount effective to improve detergency and/or lubricity. The amount of surfactants (by weight) in the formulations can range from 0% to about 30%, particularly about 0.5% to about 20 %, and more particularly from about 1% to about 15%.

[0046] Anionic surfactants are generally those compounds containing a hydrophobic hydrocarbon moiety and a negatively charged hydrophilic moiety. Typical commercially available products provide either a carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate or phosphate group as the negatively charged hydrophilic moiety. Any commercially available anionic surfactants may be employed in the lubricant composition of the present invention. One exemplary commercial anionic surfactant is polyisobutylene succinic anhydride (PIBSA) (available from Lubrizol of Wickliffe, Ohio).

[0047] Nonionic surfactants are generally hydrophobic compounds that bear essentially no charge and exhibit a hydrophilic tendency due to the presence of oxygen in the molecule. Nonionic surfactants encompass a wide variety of polymeric compounds which include ethoxylated alkylphenols, ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols, ethoxylated amines, ethoxylated ether amines, carboxylic esters, carboxylic amides, ether carboxylates, and polyoxyalkylene oxide block copolymers. Any desired nonionic surfactant can be used.

[0048] Particularly suitable nonionic surfactants for use in the lubricant composition of the invention are the alkoxylated (preferably ethoxylated) alcohols having the general formula R¹⁰O((CH₂)_mO)_π wherein R¹⁰ is an aliphatic group having from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, m is a whole number from 1 to about 5, and n is a number from 1 to about 40 which represents the average number of ethylene oxide groups on the molecule.

[0049] Cationic surfactants may also be useful in the invention and may also function as an additional antimicrobial. Typical examples include amine oxides and quaternary ammonium chloride surfactants such as n-alkyl (Cs₂-Is) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, n-alkyl (C_M._{I S}) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, n-tetradecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride monohydrate, and n-alkyl (C_ϊ2-14) dimethyl 1-naphthylmethyl ammonium chloride. Also, non-benzyl compounds such as didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and compounds with bromide counter ions such as cetyltriammonium bromide can be used.

[0050] Amphoteric surfactants, surfactants containing both an acidic and a basic hydrophilic group, can be used in the invention. Amphoteric surfactants can contain the anionic or cationic group common in anionic or cationic surfactants and additionally can contain either hydroxyl or other hydrophilic groups that enhance surfactant properties. Such amphoteric surfactants include betaine surfactants, sulfobetaine surfactants, amphoteric imidazolinium derivatives and others.

[0051] Commercially available surfactants include NEODOL 91-2.5, NEODOL 91-5, NEODOL 91-6, NEODOL 91-8, NEODOL 91-8.4, NEODOL 1-5, NEODOL 1-9, NEODOL 23-1, NEODOL 23-2, NEODOL 23-3, NEODOL 23-6.5, NEODOL 25-1.3, NEODOL 25- 2.5, NEODOL 25-3, NEODOL 25-5, NEODOL 25-7, NEODOL 25-9, NEODOL 45-4, NEODOL 45-6.8 and NEODOL 45-7 (available from Shell Chemicals of Houston, Texas); Plurafac^® A-38, Plurafac^® B-25-5, Plurafac^® B-26, Plurafac^® D-25, Plurafac^® LF 1200, Plurafac^® LF 403 Alcohol Alkoxylate, Plurafac^® LF 4030, Plurafac^® LF 7000, Plurafac^® LF- 221 Alcohol Alkoxylate, Plurafac^® RA-20, Plurafac^® RA-30, Plurafac^® RA-40, Plurafac^® RA-43, Plurafac^® RCS-48, Plurafac^® S-205LF, Plurafac^® S-3O5LF, Plurafac^® S-405LF, Plurafac^® S-505LF, Plurafac^® SL-42, Plurafac^® SL-62, Plurafac^® SL-92, Plurafac^® SLF-18, Plurafac^® SLF-18B45, Plurafac^® SLF-18B45 90% and Pluraflac^® SLF-37 (available from BASF of Mount Olive, New Jersey); and Tomadol^® 1-3, Tomadol^® 1-5, Tomadol^® 1-7, Tomadol^® 1-73-B. Tomadol^® 1-9, Tomadol^® 1200, Tomadol^® 23-1, Tomadol^® 23-3, Tomadol^® 23-5, Tomadol^® 23-6.5, Tomadol^® 25-12, Tomadol^® 25-3, Tomadol^® 25-7, Tomadol^® 25-9, Tomadol^® 400, Tomadol^® 45-2.25, Tomadol^® 45-7, Tomadol^® 600_; Tomadol^® 900, Tomadol^® 901, Tomadol^® 91-2.5, Tomadol^® 91-6, Tomadol^® 91-8 and Tomadol^® 910 (available from Air Products of Allentown, Pennsylvania).

[0052] Useful antimicrobial agents include disinfectants, antiseptics and preservatives. Non-limiting examples of useful antimicrobial agents include phenols such as iodophores, halo- and nitrophenols and substituted bisphenols such as 4-hexylresorcinol, 2-benzyl-4- chlorophenol and 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether, organic and inorganic acids and its esters and salts such as dehydroacetic acid, peroxycarboxylic acids, peroxyacetic acid, methyl p-hydroxy benzoic acid, cationic agents such as quaternary ammonium compound, aldehydes such as glutaraldehyde, antimicrobial dyes such as acridines, triphenylmethane dyes and quinones, and halogens such as iodine and chlorine compounds. The antimicrobial agents can be used in an amount sufficient to provide desired antimicrobial properties. This amount of antimicrobial agents (by weight) in the formulation can range from 0% to about 30%, particularly about 0.5% to about 20 %, and more particularly from about 1% to about 15%. [0053] Bioftlm reducing agents may optionally be included in the composition. Biofilms are a biological matrix formed on surfaces that contact water. Biofilms contain microorganisms such as undesirable bacteria. These pathogens are protected by the matrix from typical biocides and are therefore harder to kill than most pathogens. Biofilm growth and removal depend on several factors including the surface composition and chemical composition of the surrounding environment. Examples of biofilm reducing agents are chelating agents such as EDTA and EGTA, chlorine, iodine, hydrogen peroxide, and antimicrobial proteins such as nisin such as that produced by Lactococcus lactus. Chelating agents destabilize the outer cell membrane of the biofilm. Chlorine, iodine, and hydrogen peroxide remove biofilms by depolymerizing the matrix. Biocides and antimicrobial agents are also effective biofihn reducing agents. Any desired biofilm reducing agent can be used in an amount effective to reduce biofilm formation. This amount of biofihn reducing agent (by weight) in the formulation can range from 0% to about 20%, particularly about 0.05% to about 15 %, and more particularly from about 0.5% to about 10%.

[0054] It is also desired to include chelating agents or sequestrants in the lubricant composition. Where soft water is unavailable and hard water is used for the dilution of the lubricant concentrate, there is a tendency for the hardness cations, such as calcium, magnesium, and ferrous ions, to reduce the efficacy of the surfactants, and even form precipitates when coming into contact with ions such as sulfates and carbonates. Chelating agents can be used to form complexes with the hardness ions. A structure of a chelating agent may contain two or more donor atoms which are capable of forming coordinate bonds with a hardness ion. Chelating agents that possess three, four, or more donor atoms are called tridentate, tetradentate, or polydentate coordinators. Generally, the compounds with the larger number of donor atoms are better chelating agents. Examples of suitable chelating agents include iminodisuccinic acid sodium salt, trans- 1,2-diaminocyclohexane tetracetic acid monohydrate, diethyl ene triamine pentacetic acid, sodium salt of nitrilotriacetic acid, pentasodium salt of N-hydroxyethylene diaamine triacetic acid, trisodium salt of N,N-di(beta- hydroxyethyl)glycine, sodium salt of sodium glucoheptonate, trans- 1,2-diaminocyclohexane tetraacetic acid monohydrate, diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid, sodium salt of nitrilotriacetic acid, pentasodium salt of N-hydroxyethylene diamine triacetic acid, trisodium salt of N,N-di(beta-hydroxyethyl)glycine and ethylene diamine tetracetic acid (EDTA), such as Versene products which are Na₂EDTA and Na₄EDTA sold by Dow Chemicals of Midland, Michigan. The chelating agents can be used in an amount sufficient to provide the desired properties. This amount of chelating agent (by weight) in the formulation can range from 0% to about 30%, particularly about 0.5% to about 20 %, and more particularly from about 1% to about 15%.

[0055] Viscosity modifiers can also be incorporated into the lubricant. Some examples of viscosity modifiers include pour-point depressants and viscosity improvers, such as polymethacrylates, polyisobutylenes, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylic acids, high molecular weight polyoxyethylenes and polyalkyl styrenes.

[0056] The compositions of the invention may include a bleaching agent or a decolorizing agent. Examples of suitable bleaching agents include acetone peroxide ammonium persulfate, azodicarbonamide, benzoyl peroxide carbon activate, catalase, chloromethylated animated styrene divinylbenzene resin ammonium chloride, H₂O₂BrO₃, lipoxidase, sodium hydrosulfite, sodium hypochlorite, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite and sulfur dioxide.

[0057] Various dyes and odorants including perfumes and other aesthetic enhancing agents may also be included in the composition. Dyes may be included to alter the appearance of the composition, as for example, any water soluble or product soluble dye, any FD&C approved dye, Direct Blue 86 (Miles), Fastusoϊ Blue (Mobay Chemical Corp), Acid Orange 7 (American Cyanamid), Basic Violet 10 (Sandoz), Acid Yellow 23 (GAF), Acid Yellow 17 (Sigma Chemical), Sap Green (Keyston Analine and Chemical), Metanil Yellow (Keyston Analine and Chemical), Acid Blue 9 (Hilton Davis), Sandolan Blue/Acid Blue 182 (Sandoz), Hisol Fast Red (Capitol Color and Chemical), Fluorescein (Capitol Color and Chemical) and Acid Green 25 (Ciba-Geigy). Odorants including fragrances, perfumes and other aesthetic enhancing agents may also be included in the composition. Suitable odorants may include for example terpenoids such as citronellol, aldehydes such as amyl cinnamaldehyde, a jasmine and vanillin.

[0058] Antioxidants may also be present in the lubricant formulations of the present invention. Suitable antioxidants include phenolic antioxidants, aromatic amine antioxidants, sulfurized phenolic antioxidants, and organic phosphites, among others. Examples of phenolic antioxidants include 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, liquid mixtures of tertiary butylated phenols, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 4,4'-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 2,2'- methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), mixed methylene-bridged polyalkyl phenols, and 4,4'4hiobis(2-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol). N,N'-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, 4- isopropylaminodiphenyl amine, phenyl-naphthyl amine, phenyl-naphthyl amine, and ring- alkylated diphenylamines serve as examples of aromatic amine antioxidants.

[0059] Some non-limiting examples of useful friction modifiers include fatty acids with 12-18 carbon atoms, fatty alcohols, esters of fatty acids such as glycerides, fatty amines and amides.

[0060] The composition may optionally include an anticorrosion agent. Anticorrosion agents provide compositions that generate conveyor surfaces that are shiner and less prone to biofϊlm buildup than conveyor surfaces that are not treated with lubricants having anticorrosion agents. Anticorrosion agents which can be used according to the invention include phosphonates, phosphonic acids, triazoles, organic amines, sorbitan esters, carboxylic acid derivatives, sarcosinates, phosphate esters, zinc, nitrates, chromium, molybdate containing components, and borate containing components. Exemplary phosphates or phosphonic acids are commercially available under the names Dequest 2000, Dequest 2006, Dequest 2010, Dequest 2016, Dequest 2054, Dequest 2060, and Dequest 2066 (available from Solutia, Inc. of St. Louis, Missouri). Exemplary triazoles are available under the names Cobratec 100, Cobratec TT-50-S, and Cobratec 99 (available from PMC Specialties Group, Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio). Exemplary organic amines include aliphatic amines, aromatic amines, monoamines, diamines, triamines, polyamines, and their salts. Exemplary amines include Amp-95 (available from Angus Chemical Company of Buffalo Grove, Illinois), WGS -50 (available from Jacam Chemicals, LLC of Sterling, Kansas), Duomeen O and Duomeen C (available from Akzo Nobel Chemicals, hie. of Chicago, Illinois), DeThox amine C Series and DeThox amine T Series (available from DeForest Enterprises, hie. of Boca Raton, Florida), Deriphat series (available from Henkel Corp. of Ambler, Pennsylvania) and Maxhib AC Series (available from Chemax, Inc. of Greenville, South Carolina). Exemplary sorbitan esters include Calgene LA-series (available from Calgene Chemical Inc. of Skokie, Illinois). Exemplary carboxylic acid derivatives include Recor 12 (available from Ciba- Geigy Corp. of Tarrytown, New York). Exemplary sarcosinates include Hamposyl (available from Hampshire Chemical Corp. of Lexington, Massachusetts) and Sarkosyl (available from Ciba-Geigy Corp. of Tarrytown, New York).

[0061] An antistatic agent may optionally be included in the composition. Examples of antistatic agents include long-chain amines, amides and quaternary ammonium salts; esters of fatty acids and their derivatives; sulfonic acids and alkyl aryl sulfonates; polyoxyethylene derivatives; polyglycols and their derivatives; polyhydric alcohols and their derivatives; and phosphoric acid derivatives.

[0062] The composition may optionally include a stress crack inhibitor to make the compositions of the invention more compatible with a PET container. Examples of suitable stress crack inhibitors include alkyl phosphoric esters and alkyl aryl phosphoric esters.

[0063] Suitable thinning agents may include DOWANOL DPM Glycol Ether, DOWANOL DPMA Glycol Ether, DOWANOL DPnB Glycol Ether, DOWANOL DPnP Glycol Ether, DOWANOL PGDA Glycol Ether, DOWANOL PM Glycol Ether, DOWANOL PMA Glycol Ether, DOWANOL PnB Glycol Ether, DOWANOL PnP Glycol Ether, DOWANOL PPh Glycol Ether, DOWANOL TPM Glycol Ether and DOWANOL TPnB Glycol Ether (available from Ashland Chemical of Dublin, Ohio).

[0064] Non-limiting examples of useful foam inhibitors include silicones, polyacrylates and surfactants such as non-ionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric compounds. These components can be used in amounts to give the desired results.

[0065] Useful neutralizing agents may include the alkaline metal hydroxides and ammonium salts (e.g., potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide, alkyl amines, which may be primary, secondary or tertiary (e.g., monoethanolamme, diethanolamine and triethanolamine)), amino-methyl proponal, dimethyl decyl amine, octyl amine, alkyl propylene amines (e.g., n-coco-l,3-diaminopropane, N-tallow-l,3-diaminopropane) and ethoxylated amines (e.g., ethoxylated coconut amine). Generally the neutralizing agent is present in an amount to adjust the pH of the composition to a range of about 3 to about 10, particularly about 4 to about 8, and more particularly about 5 to about 7.

[0066] Hydrotropes may be used to enhance the solubilities of slightly soluble organic compounds in an aqueous solution. Commercially available hydrotropes include sodium cumene sulfonate (available from Rutgers Organics Corporation of State College, PA), sodium xylene sulfonate (SXS), (available from Stepan Company of Northfield, Illinois) and naphthalene sulfonate. These compounds may also function as a stress cracking inhibitor.

[0067] Method for Making the Lubricant [0068] The lubricants are made by combining one or more oils with water and using high shear emulsification to form a macroemulsion. High shear emulsification refers to the use of shear energy to achieve a dispersion of two or more immiscible phases. High shear may be achieved by stirring the mixture with a high speed chopper or saw-tooth dispersator. Suitable commercially available dispersators may be obtained from Chemineer, Cowles, Gate, IKA, Koruma (Romaco), Lightnin and Ross. High shear may also be achieved by passing the mixture through the gap between a high-speed rotor and a stationary stator. Suitable commercially available rotor stators may be obtained from Arde-Barinco, Bematek, Fryma, Gaulin, Greerco, Koruma (Romaco), Manton Gaulin, Moorhouse-Cowles, Premier, Ross, Silverson, Tri-Homo, Ultra Turex and Urschel. High shear may further be achieved by passing the mixture through a small orifice at high pressure (valve-type homogenizer) or through a small orifice at high pressure followed by impact against a hard surface or opposing stream (valve-impactor type homogenizer), causing sudden changes of pressure. Suitable valve or pressure homogenizers may be obtained from Manton Gaulin and Microfluidics.

[0069] Other ingredients, such as those listed above, may be added to the oil and water mixture prior to, during or after shearing in order to impart additional desired properties to the lubricant. For example, the lubricant may be formulated so that it exhibits shear thinning or other pseudo-plastic behavior, manifested by a higher viscosity (e.g., non-dripping behavior) when at rest, and a much lower viscosity when subjected to shear stresses such as those provided by container movement or pumping, spraying or brushing the lubricant formulation. This behavior can be brought about by, for example, including appropriate types and amounts of thixotropic fillers (e.g., treated or untreated fumed silicas) or other rheology modifiers in the lubricant composition.

[0070] hi one embodiment, the lubricant is a macroemulsion comprising an oleo saccharide, polyisobutylene succinic anhydride (PIBSA) and water. The lubricant is made by adding oleo saccharide and PIBSA to water to form a mixture and sheering the mixture with a high sheer mixer to produce a macroemulsion. Additional ingredients, such as one or more of those listed above, may be added to the water prior to sheering to impart various properties to the lubricant. For example, thinning agents may be added to alter the viscosity of the resulting lubricant and/or surfactants maybe added to adjust the surface tension of the resulting lubricant. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that PIBSA serves to bind the oleo saccharide to the surface of a conveyor part. The PIBSA molecule has a relatively long hydrophobic chain at one end and a diacid group at the other end. The diacid group is believed to interact with the surface of the conveyor part and the hydrophobic end is believed to interact with the oleo saccharide. Thus the oleo saccharide is bound to the surface of the conveyor part through PIBSA.

[0071] The lubricants of the present invention may be prepared as a concentrate that can be used alone, or may be mixed with a solvent diluent, such as water, to form a lubricant mixture. In some embodiments, the lubricant is diluted with water using dilution ratios of about 50:1 to about 1000:1, in others about 50:1 to about 150:1 and in yet others about 50:1 to about 100:1 diluent to lubricant ratio.

[0072] The shelf-life of the lubricant is influenced by the stability of the macroermilsion making up the lubricant. A lubricant is considered stable for the purposes of this invention if the immiscible water and oil phases remain dispersed for at least 72 hours at temperatures between, and including, 0⁰C to about 50⁰C. hi some embodiments of the present invention, the lubricant remains stable for at least about 72 hours, in others the lubricant remains stable for at least about 6 months, and in yet others the lubricant remains stable for at least about 1 year at temperatures between, and including, 0⁰C to about 50⁰C.

[0073] A lubricant of the present invention is typically a liquid having a viscosity that will permit it to be pumped and readily applied to a conveyor or containers, and that will facilitate rapid film formation whether or not the conveyor is in motion. Viscosity of a lubricant is related to the stiffness or internal friction of the materials as each lubricant molecule moves past another. In some embodiments of the present invention, the Brookfleld viscosity of the lubricant at 25° C is at least about 1 cPs, in others at least about 5 cPs, and in yet others at least about 20 cPs. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the lubricant viscosity at 25° C is less than or equal to about 500 cPs, in others less than or equal to about 350 cPs, and in yet others less than or equal to about 200 cPs. This includes embodiments where the Brookfield viscosity of the lubricant at 25° C is from about 1 to about 500 cPs, particularly from about 1 to about 200 cPs, and more particularly from about 5 to about 30 cPs.

[0074] The coefficient of friction is a unitless number that represents the ratio of the force needed to make two surfaces slide over each other to the force that holds them together. Theoretically this value is between 0 and 1, where higher values indicate more resistance. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lubricant coefficient of friction at 25° C is at least about 0.01, in others at least about 0.05, and in yet others at least about 0.1. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the lubricant coefficient of friction at 25° C is less than or equal to about 0.3, in others less than or equal to about 0.2, and in yet others less than or equal to about 0.15. This includes embodiments where the coefficient of friction at 25° C is from about 0.01 to about 0.3, particularly from about 0.05 to about 0.2, and more particularly from about 0.1 to about 0.15.

[0075] Method for Using the Lubricant

[0076] The lubricant may be applied to a conveyor, the surface of a container, or a combination of both. Parts of the conveyor that may be coated with the lubricant include belts, chains, gates, chutes, sensors, and ramps having surfaces made of fabrics, metals, plastics, elastomer, composites, or combinations of these materials. For purposes of this invention, the portion of the conveyor upon which a container sets will be referred to as the surface (or track) of the conveyor. The lubricant may be applied using any number of techniques known to those skilled in the art including spraying, wiping, brushing, drip coating, roll coating and atomizing.

[0077] The lubricant composition can also be applied to a wide variety of containers including beverage containers; food containers; household or commercial cleaning product containers; and containers for oils, antifreeze or other industrial fluids. The containers can be made of a wide variety of materials including glasses; plastics (e.g., polyolefϊns such as polyethylene and polypropylene; polystyrenes; polyesters such as PET and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN); polyamides, polycarbonates; and mixtures or copolymers thereof); metals (e.g., aluminum, tin or steel); papers (e.g., untreated, treated, waxed or other coated papers); ceramics; and laminates or composites of two or more of these materials (e.g., laminates of PET, PEN or mixtures thereof with another plastic material). The containers can have a variety of sizes and forms, including cartons, cans, bottles, Tetra Pak™ packages, waxed carton packs, and the like.

[0078] The lubricant may be applied to the conveyor and/or container in constant or intermittent fashion, hi some embodiments, the layer of applied lubricant is maintained at a thickness of greater than about 0.0001 millimeters, in others at a thickness greater than about 0.05 millimeters, and in yet others at a thickness greater than about 0.1 millimeters. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the layer of applied lubricant is maintained at a thickness of less than or equal to about 3 millimeters, in others at a thickness less than or equal to about 2 millimeters, and in yet others at a thickness less than or equal to about 0.05 millimeters. This includes embodiments where the thickness of the lubricant layer is about 0.0001 to about 3 millimeters, particularly about 0.0001 to about 2 millimeters, and more particularly about 0.0001 to about 0.05 millimeters.

[0079] In some embodiments, the lubricant is sufficiently soluble in water that it can be removed from the conveyor or container using conventional aqueous cleaners, without the need for high pressure or mechanical abrasion.

TRACK RUN CONVEYOR TEST (COF)

[0080] The coefficient of friction (μ) of a conveyor lubricant is obtained with a Falex Friction & Wear Test Machine, Model # ISC200PC (available from Falex Corporation of Sugar Grove, Illinois). A ball made of soda glass is glued to the arm of the machine. A stainless steel disk is pre-treated with a lubricant solution by adding about 2-3 drops of the lubricant as a concentrate to the disk and smoothing the lubricant over the surface of the disk using a swab. The disk is then inserted into the machine and the arm of the machine is positioned such that the ball is touching the disk. A test ran is conducted to determine the coefficient of friction of the lubricant. This test is used to simulate a glass bottle running on a stainless steel track.

EXAMPLE 1

[0081] A lubricant comprising a silicone oil, a tall oil fatty acid and an emulsifier is prepared as follows. To a vessel containing 1000 mL deionized water are added 500 g Silwet^® L-42 (available from Momentive Performance Materials of Wilton, Connecticut), 160 g Neodol 91-8 (available from Shell Chemical LP of Houston, Texas) and 100 g tall oil fatty acid (available from Chemical Associates of Cincinnati, Ohio). The contents of the vessel are stirred with a standard mixer on the highest setting for 5 minutes to produce a semi-stable mixture. An additional 2000 mL deionized water are then added to the vessel and the contents of the vessel are mixed using a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer (available from IKA^® of Wilmington, North Carolina) for 5 minutes at 4000 RPM to produce a milky- white emulsion. [0082] The lubricant is stable for up to at least four hours. In other words, when the lubricant set at room temperature for four hours, there is no evidence of phase separation within the emulsion.

EXAMPLE 2

[0083] The lubricant is made as follows. 1 g 50% NaOH is added to 66 mL of deionized water, and the resultant solution is heated to at least 120° F. To the heated solution is added 1O g polyisobutylene succinic anhydride (PIBSA) (available from Lubrizol of Wickliffe, Ohio) pre-heated to 150° F, 8 g Neodol 23-6.5 (available from Momentive Performance Materials of Wilton, Connecticut) and 5 g SEFOSE^sm1618S (available from P&G Chemicals of Cincinnati, Ohio). The solution is then mixed with a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer for 5 minutes at 4000 RPM to produce the lubricant.

[0084] A 10% aqueous solution of the lubricant on track run exhibits a coefficient of friction less than 0.1.

EXAMPLE 3

[0085] The lubricant is made as follows. 1 g of a 50% by weight NaOH solution is added to 66 mL of deionized water, and the resultant solution is heated to at least 120° F. To the heated solution is added 10 g PIBSA pre-heated to 150° F₃ 18 g Neodol 23-6.5 and 5 g soybean oil (available from P&G Chemicals of Cincinnati, Ohio). The solution is then mixed with a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer for 5 minutes at 4000 RPM to produce the lubricant.

[0086] A 10% aqueous solution of the lubricant on track run exhibits a coefficient of friction less than 0.1.

EXAMPLE 4

[0087] A lubricant is made by combining 1 g 50% NaOH, 66 mL of deionized water, 10 g PIBSA, 18 g Neodol 23-6.5 and 5 g SEFOSE^SiT11618S and mixing the resultant solution with a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer for 5 minutes at 4000 RPM.

[0088] A 10% aqueous solution of the lubricant on track run exhibits a coefficient of friction less than 0.1. EXAMPLE 5

[0089] A lubricant is made by combining 30 g Silwet^® L-42, 30 g oleic acid, 1O g Plurafac^® B-26 (available from BASF Corporation of Mount Olive, New Jersey), 15 g PIBSA and 15 g DOWANOL DPM (available from Ashland Chemical of Dublin, Ohio) to form a solution, diluting the solution to 10% by the addition of 900 mL of deionized water, and mixing the diluted solution with a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer for about 2 hours at 4000 RPM.

EXAMPLE 6

[0090] A mixture containing 3O g Silwet^® L-42, 30 g Sefose 1618S (available from Twin Rivers Technologies of Quincy, MA), and 10 g Plurafac^® B-26 is heated to 150° F. Then 15 g BIPSA pre-heated to 50° C and 15 g DOWANOL DPM are added to the mixture. The resulting mixture is diluted to 10% with the addition of 900 mL of deionized water, and the solution is mixed with a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer (available from IKA^® of Wilmington, North Carolina) for about 2 hours at 4000 RPM to produce the lubricant.

EXAMPLE 8

[0091] 30 g Silwet® L-42, 30 g oleic acid, 10 g Plurafac^® B-26, 15 g PIBSA and 15 g DOWANOL DPM are sufficiently stirred to provide a uniform mixture. The lubricant formulation is made by combining 95 g of the mixture with 5 g of olean, diluting the resultant solution to 10% with the addition of 900 mL of deionized water, and mixing the solution with a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer for 5 minutes at 4000 RPM.

EXAMPLE 9

[0092] A lubricant is made by combining, in order, 30 g Silwet^® L-42, 30 g oleic acid, 10 g Plurafac^® B-26, 10 g DOWANOL DPM, 10 g PIBSA and 10 g of olean (available from Twin Rivers Technologies of Quincy, MA), heating the resulting solution to 100° C with mixing, diluting the solution to 10% with the addition of 900 mL of deionized water, and mixing the solution with a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer for 5 minutes at 4000 RPM. EXAMPLE 10

[0093] A lubricant is made by combining, in order, 30 g Silwet L-42, 30 g olean, 1O g Plurafac^® B-26, 10 g DOWANOL DPM, 10 g oleic acid and 10 g PIBSA, heating the resulting solution to 100° C with mixing, diluting the solution to 10% with the addition of 900 niL of deionized water, and mixing the solution with a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer for 5 minutes at 4000 RPM.

EXAMPLE Il

(1?)

[0094] A lubricant is made by mixing together, in order, 30 g Silwet L-42, 20 g oleic acid, 10 g Plurafac^® B-26, 20 g olean, 10 g DOWANOL DPM, and 10 g PIBSA, diluting the resultant solution to 10% with the addition of 900 mL of deionized water, and mixing the solution with a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer for 5 minutes at 4000 RPM.

EXAMPLE 12

[0095] A lubricant is made by mixing together 30 g Silwet^® L-42, 30 g olean, 10 g oleic acid, 10 g Plurafac^® B-26, 10 g PIBSA and 10 g DOWANOL DPM, diluting the resultant solution to 10% with the addition of 900 mL of deionized water, and mixing the solution with a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer for 5 minutes at 4000 RPM.

EXAMPLE 13

[0096] A lubricant is made by mixing together 30 g Silwet^® L-42, 30 g olean, 10 g oleic acid, 10 g Plurafac^® B-26, 5 g PIBSA and 15 g DOWANOL DPM, diluting the resultant solution to 10% with the addition of 900 mL of deionized water, and mixing the solution with a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer for 5 minutes at 4000 RPM.

EXAMPLE 14

[0097] A lubricant is made by mixing together 10 g DOWANOL DPM, 30 g Silwet^® L- 42, 30 g olean, 10 g oleic acid, 10 g Plurafac^® B-26 and 10 g PIBSA, boiling the resultant solution for 3 minutes, diluting the boiled solution to 10% with the addition of 900 mL of deionized water, and mixing the solution with a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer for 5 minutes at 4000 RPM. EXAMPLE 15

[0098] 30 g Silwet^® L-42, 30 g oleic acid, 10 g Plurafac^® B-26, 15 g PIBSA and 15 g DOWANOL DPM are sufficiently stirred to provide a uniform mixture. The lubricant formulation is made by combining 10 g of the mixture with 81.5 niL of deionized water, 5 g of olean, 0.5 g Proxel GXL (available from Brenntag Canada Inc. of Toronto, Ontario), 1 g of a 45% solution of sodium cumene sulfonate (available from Rutgers Organics Corporation of State College, Pennsylvania) and 2 g LE-42 (available from GE Silicones of Friendly, West Virginia) and mixing the ingredients with a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer for 5 minutes at 4000 RPM.

EXAMPLE 16

[0099] 30 g Silwet^® L-42, 30 g oleic acid, 10 g Plurafac^® B-26, 15 g PIBSA and 15 g DOWANOL DPM are sufficiently stirred to provide a uniform mixture. The lubricant formulation is made by combining 1O g of the mixture with 79.5 mL of deionized water, 5 g of olean, 0.5 g Proxel GXL, 1 g of a 45% solution of sodium cumene sulfonate and 4 g LE-46 (available from GE Silicones of Wilton, Connecticut) and mixing the ingredients with a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer for 5 minutes at 4000 RPM.

EXAMPLE 17

[00100] A lubricant is made by combining together by weight 83.5 % deionized water, 1 % sodium xylene sulfonate (SXS), 40% (Stepan Company of Northfield, Illinois), 2% PIBSA , 5% Tomadol^® 25-7 (available from Air Products of Allentown, Pennsylvania), 0.5% Proxel GXL and 8% SEFOSE^sm 1618S, and mixing the resultant solution with a T 50 Basic ULTRA-TURRAX^® high sheer mixer for 5 minutes at 4000 RPM.

[00101] Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a conveyor lubricant and method for making and using the same. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims. CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A method of making a conveyor lubricant, the method comprising: combining water and at least one oil to form a mixture; and applying high mechanical shearing to the mixture to produce a macroemulsion.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of oil (by weight) in the mixture is about 1% to about 50%.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the conveyor lubricant has a coefficient of friction in the range from about 0.01 to about 0.3.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the conveyor lubricant has a viscosity in the range from about 1 to about 500 cPs at 25° C.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the macroemulsion is stable for a period of at least 72 hours at temperatures between, and including, 0⁰C to about 5O⁰C.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding at least one of a dispersant, an emulsifier, a surfactant, an antimicrobial agent, a stress cracking inhibitor, a thinner and a hydrotrope with the oil and water to form the mixture.

7. A method of lubricating a conveyor system, the method comprising: applying a lubricant to one of a conveyor surface, a container surface or a combination thereof, wherein the lubricant is a macroemulsion comprising at least one oil dispersed in water.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein applying the lubricant comprises at least one of spraying, wiping, brushing, drip coating, roll coating, atomizing and a combination thereof.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the conveyor surface comprises at least one of fabric, metal, plastic, elastomer, composite and combinations thereof.

Claims

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the container comprises at least one of glass, plastic, metal, paper, ceramic, laminate and combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the container comprises at least one of cartons, cans, bottles, Tetra Pak™ packages, waxed carton packs and combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the lubricant is applied in at least one of constant and intermittent fashion.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the lubricant further comprises at least one of a dispersant, an emulsifier, a surfactant, an antimicrobial agent, a stress cracking inhibitor, a thinner and a hydrotrope.

14. A macroemuision comprising an oleo saccharide and polyisobutylene succinic anhydride.

15. The macroemuision of claim 14, wherein the oleo saccharide comprises olestra.

16. The macroemuision of claim 14, further comprising an antimicrobial agent.

17. The macroemuision of claim 14, wherein the lubricant comprises 0.01% to about 50% by weight oleo saccharide.

18. The macroemuision of claim 14, wherein the macroemuision has a coefficient of friction in the range from about 0.01 to about 0.3.

19. The macroemuision of claim 14, wherein the conveyor lubricant has a viscosity in the range from about 1 cPs to about 500 cPs at 25⁰C.

20. The macroemuision of claim 14, further comprising at least one of a dispersant, an emulsifier, a surfactant, an antimicrobial agent, a stress cracking inhibitor, a thinner and a hydrotrope.