U.S. patent application number 15/549428 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-25 for water-based lubricants for conveyor belts.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kluber Lubrication Munchen SE & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Martin Schweigkofler, Stefan Seemeyer, Michaela Wiesbock.
Application Number | 20180023029 15/549428 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55442756 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180023029 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schweigkofler; Martin ; et
al. |
January 25, 2018 |
Water-Based Lubricants for Conveyor Belts
Abstract
The invention relates to water-based lubricants for conveyor
belts. More particularly, the invention relates to water-based
lubricants for conveyor belts for the drinks industry.
Inventors: |
Schweigkofler; Martin;
(Friedberg, DE) ; Seemeyer; Stefan;
(Wolfratshausen, DE) ; Wiesbock; Michaela;
(Wessling, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kluber Lubrication Munchen SE & Co. KG |
Munchen |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
55442756 |
Appl. No.: |
15/549428 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
February 17, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2016/000269 |
371 Date: |
August 8, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
508/162 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C10M 2215/223 20130101;
C10M 2219/044 20130101; C10N 2040/38 20200501; C10M 2207/282
20130101; C10M 141/02 20130101; C10M 145/04 20130101; C10M 2201/102
20130101; C10M 2209/084 20130101; C10M 173/025 20130101; C10M
2215/042 20130101; C10M 2207/141 20130101; C10M 2209/04 20130101;
C10M 157/10 20130101; C10M 161/00 20130101; C10M 2201/02 20130101;
C10M 2223/00 20130101; C10M 129/08 20130101; C10M 2215/02 20130101;
C10M 129/72 20130101; C10M 155/02 20130101; C10M 2207/10 20130101;
C10M 2201/081 20130101; C10M 2201/085 20130101; C10M 2207/28
20130101; C10M 2219/104 20130101; C10N 2030/02 20130101; C10M
2209/109 20130101; C10M 2207/022 20130101; C10M 2229/02
20130101 |
International
Class: |
C10M 173/02 20060101
C10M173/02; C10M 145/04 20060101 C10M145/04; C10M 161/00 20060101
C10M161/00; C10M 155/02 20060101 C10M155/02; C10M 141/02 20060101
C10M141/02; C10M 157/10 20060101 C10M157/10; C10M 129/72 20060101
C10M129/72; C10M 129/08 20060101 C10M129/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 19, 2015 |
DE |
10 2015 002 064.1 |
Feb 10, 2016 |
DE |
10 2016 001 519.5 |
Claims
1. Water-based lubricant composition for conveyor belts,
comprising: 4% to 30% by weight of at least one viscosifying
component, 0.05% to 10% by weight of preservative substances that
provide protection from soiling, water to 100% by weight,
characterized in that the viscosifying component is a water-soluble
carboxylic ester, or a mixture of a water-soluble carboxylic ester
and a low molecular weight polyalkylene glycol.
2. Lubricant composition according to claim 1, further comprising
one or more components selected from the group consisting of: 0.05%
to 5% by weight of antiwear agent, 0.05% to 15% by weight of
antifreeze, 0.05% to 15% by weight of anticorrosive, 0.05% to 5% by
weight of antiwear agent, 0.05% to 5% by weight of defoamer, 0.05%
to 5% by weight of wetting agent, 0.05% to 5% by weight of
biocides, 0.005% to 2% by weight of fragrances.
3. Lubricant composition according to claim 1, characterized in
that the preservative substances that provide protection from
soiling are a compound or mixture selected from the group
consisting of foaming or non-foaming emulsifiers from the class of
ionic and nonionic surfactants.
4. Lubricant composition according to claim 2, characterized in
that the antiwear agent is a water-soluble compound containing
sulfur, phosphorus and/or nitrogen.
5. Lubricant composition according to claim 2, characterized in
that the antifreeze is a compound selected from the group
consisting of mono- and polyhydric alcohols and derivatives
thereof.
6. Lubricant composition according to claim 2, characterized in
that the anticorrosive is a compound selected from the group
consisting of neutralized and non-neutralized carboxylic acids,
neutralized phosphoric acids and/or phosphoric acid derivatives,
benzoic acid and/or benzoic acid derivatives, triazole,
alcoholamines, glycolamines.
7. Lubricant composition according to claim 2, characterized in
that the defoamer is a compound selected from the group consisting
of polysiloxanes or polymers of acrylate derivatives, the wetting
agent used is a compound selected from the group consisting of
ionic and nonionic surfactants, the biocide used is isothiazolone
derivatives, and the fragrance used is a compound selected from the
group consisting of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, alkenes,
copper salts and/or zinc salts.
8. Use of the lubricant composition according to claim 1 in
undiluted form.
9. Use of the lubricant composition according to claim 1 in a
dilution of 1:1000.
10. Use of the lubricant composition according to claim 2 in
undiluted form.
11. Use of the lubricant composition according to claim 2 in a
dilution of 1:1000.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to water-based lubricants for conveyor
belts. More particularly, the invention relates to water-based
lubricants for conveyor belts for the drinks industry.
[0002] Lubricants for conveyor belts for the drinks industry have
to meet high demands, especially with regard to their fitness for
contact with and compatibility with food and drink. For lubrication
of conveyor belts in dispensing lines in the drinks industry,
according to the application methodology, either lubricant oils or
emulsions/dispersions diluted with water to different degrees are
used. WO 2007/040678 A1 describes such a concept. This comprises
silicone emulsions that are diluted with water. According to the
degree of dilution, this is then referred to as wet or semidry
lubrication. In the case of wet lubrication with typical dilutions
of the lubricant of 1:100 to 1:1000, water consumption is very
high. The case of dilution of less than 1:100 is referred to as
semidry lubrication. In both cases, it should be noted that the
hardness of the water added has a crucial effect on the performance
and compatibility of the lubricant with the packaging material
transported. Accordingly, in the case of a wet or semidry
lubricant, it is typically necessary to add elevated amounts of
free organic acids in order to neutralize the water
hardness-related alkalinity. However, disadvantages of emulsions or
suspensions are that stirrer units are frequently required in the
blending with water, and that they have poorer storage stability
than homogeneous solutions. Moreover, it is not possible to achieve
a continuous film of the lubrication-active component on the
conveyor chain, which has an adverse effect on the tribological
properties. A common factor to all lubricants mentioned is the
relatively complex cleaning of the conveyor belts.
[0003] One aim of the present invention was therefore to provide a
highly tribologically effective lubricant formulation which is
effective in very small amounts and need not be diluted further
with water. Thus, a maximum saving of water is possible.
Furthermore, the formulation of the invention is biodegradable and
usable in the food and drink sector. The formulation is
additionally storage-stable, fully soluble in water and easy to
remove from the conveyor belts.
[0004] These aims are achieved by the provision of a water-based
lubricant composition comprising a water content of 50% to 96% by
weight, 4% to 40% by weight of at least one viscosifying component
and 0.05% to 10% by weight of preservative substances that provide
protection from soiling. No solids and no water-insoluble
components are present.
[0005] The water-based lubricant composition of the invention has
good biodegradability and environmental compatibility in an aqueous
environment. Moreover, it features good compatibility with
application-related materials, such as chain materials, application
technology and packaging. The low-temperature characteristics of
the aqueous lubricant composition of the invention can be
considerably improved by addition of antifreezes, for example low
molecular weight glycol or glycerol. In addition, it is possible to
add additives in order to control the properties of the lubricant
composition of the invention. If desired, the aqueous lubricant
compositions of the invention can also be formulated in a foam-free
manner.
[0006] The lubricant composition of the invention comprises 4% to
30% by weight of at least one viscosifying component and 0.05% to
10% by weight of preservative substances that provide protection
from soiling; the remainder is water.
[0007] The lubricant composition of the invention may also
comprise
[0008] 0.05% to 15% by weight of antifreeze,
[0009] 0.05% to 15% by weight of anticorrosive,
[0010] 0.05% to 5% by weight of defoamer,
[0011] 0.05% to 5% by weight of wetting agent,
[0012] 0.05% to 5% by weight of biocides,
[0013] 0.005% to 2% by weight of fragrances.
[0014] The viscosifying component of the lubricant composition of
the invention is selected from the group consisting of
water-soluble carboxylic esters, or a mixture of water-soluble
carboxylic esters and low molecular weight polyalkylene glycols.
Preference is given to using water-soluble ethoxylated esters of
dicarboxylic acids that are sold under the Nycobase 618 name by
Nyco S.A. The low molecular weight polyalkylene glycols used are
preferably a polyethylene glycol having a mean molar mass of
200-600, which are sold by Clariant Deutschland GmbH under the PG
200-600 name.
[0015] In the case of low-temperature applications, the lubricant
composition of the invention may comprise an antifreeze which is
selected from the group consisting of mono- and/or polyhydric
alcohols and/or alcohol derivatives, for example glycerol or
propane-1,2-diol.
[0016] Anticorrosives used for the lubricant composition of the
invention are neutralized and non-neutralized carboxylic acids,
neutralized phosphoric acids and/or phosphoric acid derivatives,
benzoic acid and/or benzoic acid derivatives, triazoles,
alcoholamines, glycolamines.
[0017] Antiwear agents present are water-soluble compounds
containing sulfur, phosphorus and/or nitrogen, for example salts of
sulfonic acid derivatives and thiols.
[0018] For prevention of foam formation, it is possible to use
additives, for example polydimethylsiloxanes or polymers of
acrylate derivatives.
[0019] According to the application, the lubricant composition of
the invention may comprise emulsifiers and/or wetting agents, for
example foaming or non-foaming emulsifiers from the class of ionic
surfactants (e.g. sulfonates) and nonionic surfactants (e.g. fatty
alcohol ethoxylates), alkylene oxide polymers, phosphate esters and
quaternary ammonium compounds, alkoxylated silicones and silicone
derivatives, and carboxylic acid derivatives.
[0020] In addition, lubricant composition of the invention may
comprise biocides, for example isothiazolone derivatives.
[0021] According to the application, it is also possible to use
fragrances which are selected from the group consisting of
alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, alkenes, salts, e.g. copper
salts and/or zinc sulfates.
[0022] Preferably, the lubricant composition of the invention
comprises 5% to 20% by weight of viscosifying compound and 0.05% to
10% by weight of preservative substances that provide protection
from soiling, and also 0.05% to 5% by weight of antiwear agents;
the remainder is water.
[0023] Especially preferably, the lubricant composition of the
invention comprises 7.5% to 15% by weight of viscosifying compound
and 0.05% to 10% by weight of preservative substances that provide
protection from soiling, and also 0.1% to 1.5% by weight of
antiwear agents; the remainder is water.
[0024] The lubricant composition of the invention ensures that the
performance of the lubricant is not significantly impaired even by
production-related flashing with water.
[0025] The lubricant composition of the invention additionally
features excellent sprayability which can also be employed in
unpressurized nozzles and minimizes the risk of blockage of
nozzles. Moreover, application is possible by all standard methods,
for example nozzles operated with or without compressed air,
brushes, slide plates.
[0026] The lubricant composition of the invention also brings about
excellent protection from wear with all standard chain
material/packaging combinations, for example pairing of can/plastic
chain, Tetrapack/plastic chain, PET (single-use and
multi-use)/plastic chain or steel chain, glass bottle/plastic chain
or steel chain.
[0027] The lubricant composition of the invention has excellent
compatibility with standard packaging, chain materials and
application techniques. Furthermore, in the case of use of the
lubricant composition of the invention, a distinct improvement is
achieved in storage and transport stability, with regard to the
effect of temperature and vibration.
[0028] The lubricant composition of the invention is also excellent
with regard to biodegradability.
[0029] The lubricant composition of the invention is described in
detail hereinafter with reference to examples.
EXAMPLES
[0030] The example formulations are produced by blending the
majority of the individual constituents by means of a stirrer and
heating to 70.degree. C. for 30 min, followed by cooling and
stirring-in of the temperature-critical constituents.
Example 1
TABLE-US-00001 [0031] Viscosifying component: Nycobase 618 9.27%
Antiwear: MPS 0.39% deion. water 90.34%
Example 2
TABLE-US-00002 [0032] Viscosifying component: Nycobase 618 10.0%
Antiwear: MPS 0.4% Biocide: Acticide MBS 0.10% Defoamer: ES 561
1.0% Anticorrosive: M 528 L 2.0% deion. water 86.5%
Example 3
TABLE-US-00003 [0033] Viscosifying component: Nycobase 618 9.27%
Preservative components that SurTec 192 0.5% provide protection
from wear: SurTec 055 1.0% deion. water 89.23%
Example 4
TABLE-US-00004 [0034] Viscosifying component: Nycobase 618 10.0%
Viscosifying component: PG 200 2.5% Antiwear: Lubio EP 1 0.5%
Biocide: Acticide MBS 0.15% Wetting agent: Hydrolite 5 0.9%
Defoamer: ES 561 1.0% Anticorrosive: M 528 L 7.0% deion. water
77.95%
Example 5
TABLE-US-00005 [0035] Viscosifying component: Nycobase 618 10.0%
Antifreeze: Glycerin 2.5% Antiwear: Lubio EP 1 0.5% Biocide:
Acticide MBS 0.2% Defoamer: ES 561 1.0% deion. water 85.8%
Example 6
TABLE-US-00006 [0036] Viscosifying component: Nycobase 618 9.27%
Antiwear: MPS 0.39% Preservative components that Redokon CDD A-H
0.014% provide protection from wear: Redokon CDD B 0.001% deion.
water 90.325%
[0037] The components used are, as already mentioned above, PG 200,
Nycobase 618. In addition, M 528 L is used, this being a mixture of
various neutralized organic and inorganic acids which is sold by
Cortec Corporation. Surtec 192 is a mixture of phosphates,
silicates and amine-neutralized organic acids which can be
purchased from SurTec Deutschland GmbH. SurTec 055 is a mixture of
amines, silicates and hydrocarbons, and also anionic and nonionic
surfactants, likewise from SurTec Deutschland GmbH. Hydrolite 5 is
a pentanediol from Symrise AG. MPS is a salt of organic sulfur
compounds which is sold by Raschig GmbH. Acticide MBS is a mixture
of benzisothiazoles and methylisothiazolone from Thor GmbH. Lubio
EP1 is a salt of an organic sulfur compound from Schafer
Additivsysteme GmbH. ES 561 is a silicon-containing defoamer from
Additivchemie Luers GmbH. Glycerol is sourced from Brenntag GmbH.
Redokon CDD A-H and Redokon CDD B are chlorine dioxide solutions
from Redokon GmbH.
[0038] The above example formulations were now tested for their
efficacy.
[0039] 1. Antiwear
[0040] The SRV (oscillation/friction/wear) test is a commonly used
test for quantification of the antiwear effect of lubricants. This
is typically conducted using the steel-steel material pair. In the
present case, for better applicability to the application, the POM
(polyoxymethylene)/steel material pair is chosen. The wear rate was
evaluated after a test duration of 6 hours at a load of 95
N/mm.sup.2.
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 1 Product Wear rate [mm.sup.3/h] Interflon Fin
Food lube AL 0.67 (oil-based dry lube made from mineral oil with
PTFE) P3 Lubodrive RF 1.72 (oil-based dry lube made from
hydrocarbon resin) Neomoscan G7 0.69 (water-based wet lube made
from amine acetate) Example 1 0.04 Example 2 0.10
[0041] Table 1 shows that all three examples according to the
present invention have distinctly lower wear rates than customarily
used products.
[0042] 2. Spreading Characteristics
[0043] Good spreading characteristics are indispensable in the case
of minimal lubrication volumes for maintenance of a constant
lubricant film. Spreading characteristics are typically determined
by contact angle measurements on the relative surface. The smaller
the contact angle, the better the wetting of the surface.
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 2 Contact angle [.degree.] Product on PBT
after 15 s Example 4 38 Example 2 51 Lubostar CP 64 (water-based
wet lube made from silicones)
[0044] Table 2 shows that the examples of the present invention
have significantly better spreading characteristics than the
frequently used Lubostar CP wet lube. The studies were conducted on
PBT, a commonly used chain material.
[0045] 3. Tests on Conveying Devices with Various Pairs
[0046] Lubrication performance of the water-based example
formulation was tested using a standard conveying device from
Krones, using various relevant material combinations at room
temperature and with a typical chain speed of 0.8 m/sec. The
coefficients of friction were each determined using a 1 l glass
water bottle with its original seal, a 1.5 l PET disposable bottle
and a 1.5 k TetraPack. The container that was grinding against the
conveyor chain was fixed to a spring balance with a cord.
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 3 Coefficient of friction averaged over 120
sec with various material pairs POM/ Steel/glass POM/PET TetraPack
Example 2 0.11 0.09 0.15 Example 4 -- 0.07 0.15
[0047] Typically, the coefficients of friction of the various
material pairs are in the range of 0.05 to 0.20. Table 3 shows the
good lubricity of the compositions examined.
[0048] With the lubricant composition according to example 3, by
way of evidence of the excellent performance with the least
possible lubricant consumption, a 1.5 l PET disposable bottle was
tested under the above-described conditions over a period of 4
hours. Over this time, a further 0.05 ml of lubricant was applied
every 5 minutes. The coefficient of friction was constantly
0.09+/-0.01 and hence within the ideal range for this material
pair.
[0049] 4. Anticorrosive
[0050] In the case of use of water-based lubricants rather than an
oil-based dry lubricant, adequate corrosion protection of the
application technique should be assured, in order to protect
components such as metering valves or spray valves. Typical
corrosion protection tests are effected by storing relevant
components in the lubricant formulation at elevated
temperature.
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 4 Stability of non-stainless steel components
from application technology with respect to the lubricant Work
steel at 70.degree. C. Anticorrosion after immersion additive for
14 days Example 2 2% by weight adequate Example 4 7% by weight good
Example 1 0% by weight unsatisfactory Neomoscan G7 No manufacturer
data unsatisfactory
[0051] It can be seen in table 4 that adequately additized aqueous
lubricant formulations can give adequate protection for
corrosion-sensitive application technology.
[0052] 5. Cleaning
[0053] Soiling on food and drink containers should absolutely be
avoided for hygienic and cosmetic reasons. Typical soiling includes
normal dusts, particles of packaging, leaked food or drink product,
wear particles from the chain and guide rail, and lubricant
residues.
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 5 Additive for Protection from prevention
residue buildup on of soiling conveyor chain Example 3 present
adequate Example 1 absent unsatisfactory P3 Lubodrive RF no
manufacturer data unsatisfactory Neomoscan G7 no manufacturer data
unsatisfactory DryExx SF no manufacturer data unsatisfactory
(water-based dry lube)
[0054] The lubricants specified in table 5 were used to conduct the
buildup of soiling both in continuous operation and in laboratory
studies with an original PBT chain on the test conveyor.
Surprisingly, a significant reduction in residue buildup was
achieved in example 3.
[0055] 7. Defoamer
[0056] Excessive evolution of foam in the application of conveyor
lubricants should be avoided owing to reduced tribological
efficacy. Foam-forming lubricants also have worse applicability,
particularly in the case of use of spray nozzles. The use of a
defoamer in example formulation 5 visibly showed a significant
reduction in the tendency to foaming.
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 7 Defoamer Visible defoamer effect on the
conveyor Example 4 present adequate Example 1 absent
unsatisfactory
[0057] 8. Clarity
[0058] All formulations from examples 1 to 6 are clear solutions.
The homogeneity of the system gives rise to distinct advantages in
storage and transport stability, in homogeneous applicability
without use of stirring units, and in avoidance of water-insoluble
residues on the conveyor chain in the case of
emulsions/suspensions.
TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 8 Type Appearance Example 1 solution clear
Example 2 solution clear Example 3 solution clear Example 4
solution clear Example 5 solution clear Example 6 solution clear
Lubostar CP emulsion cloudy Interflon Fin Food Lube AL suspension
cloudy P3 Lubodrive RF solution clear Neomoscan G7 solution clear
DryExx SF emulsion cloudy
[0059] 9. Flashing with Water
[0060] The cleaning of conveyor chains typically entails a
production shutdown, since the friction characteristics are greatly
affected by the amount of water applied and typically deteriorate
in the case of elevated humidity. It is also not impossible that
water bottles being conveyed will burst and that this will lead to
locally limited flashing of the lubricant off the conveyor
chain.
TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 9 .DELTA.CoF PET/PBT after flashing with
excess of water (water:lubricant 500:1) Example formulation 2 +35%
DryExx SF +70%
[0061] It has been found that, surprisingly, the formulation
according to example 2, even in the case of flashing with 500 times
the amount of water compared to the amount of lubricant applied to
the chain, leads only to moderate deterioration in the coefficient
of friction of 35%. This enables uninterrupted filling operation in
the case of faults or in the event of cleaning, which was not the
case compared to a known lubricant composition, since the
coefficient of friction here was worsened by 75%.
[0062] 10. Applicability
[0063] The lubricant composition according to example 5 was
applicable either by means of dosage via a metering valve or
magnetic valve and subsequent application by means of a guide
plate, or else via nozzles operated with compressed air or without
compressed air. Particularly the possibility that the composition
according to example 4 can be applied by means of compressed
air-free nozzles in minimal amounts distinguishes this formulation
from frequently used standard products, for example DryExx SF or P3
Lubodrive RF.
[0064] 11. Compatibility with Packaging, Application Technology and
Chain Material
[0065] For further testing of the properties of the lubricant
compositions of the present invention, immersion tests were
conducted with gasket material, hose material, pipe elements,
nozzle constituents, pump membranes and magnetic valves from
standard application technology and POM chain material at
70.degree. C. over 4 weeks with example formulation 5. No changes
in the materials were detected.
[0066] For container compatibility, 1.5 l PET disposable bottles
with the original seal, 1 l glass bottles, 0.5 l can and 0.5
lTetraPack were placed onto a glass surface wetted with formulation
according to example 5 for 30 sec and then stored on a clean glass
surface for 72 hours. Then there was a visual examination for
changes to the material, such as stress, cracking or discoloration.
In no case were any noticeable features observed.
[0067] 12. Biodegradability
[0068] All the example formulations mentioned are environmentally
compatible and biodegradable to a high degree by virtue of the high
water content, and by virtue of the very good biodegradability of
the viscosifying agents used.
* * * * *