EP1001005A1 - Aqueous lubricant compositions - Google Patents
Aqueous lubricant compositions Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1001005A1 EP1001005A1 EP99121643A EP99121643A EP1001005A1 EP 1001005 A1 EP1001005 A1 EP 1001005A1 EP 99121643 A EP99121643 A EP 99121643A EP 99121643 A EP99121643 A EP 99121643A EP 1001005 A1 EP1001005 A1 EP 1001005A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- composition
- carboxylate
- alkyl
- imidazoline
- weight
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
- C10M173/00—Lubricating compositions containing more than 10% water
- C10M173/02—Lubricating compositions containing more than 10% water not containing mineral or fatty oils
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
- C10M129/00—Lubricating compositions characterised by the additive being an organic non-macromolecular compound containing oxygen
- C10M129/02—Lubricating compositions characterised by the additive being an organic non-macromolecular compound containing oxygen having a carbon chain of less than 30 atoms
- C10M129/16—Ethers
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
- C10M133/00—Lubricating compositions characterised by the additive being an organic non-macromolecular compound containing nitrogen
- C10M133/02—Lubricating compositions characterised by the additive being an organic non-macromolecular compound containing nitrogen having a carbon chain of less than 30 atoms
- C10M133/04—Amines, e.g. polyalkylene polyamines; Quaternary amines
- C10M133/06—Amines, e.g. polyalkylene polyamines; Quaternary amines having amino groups bound to acyclic or cycloaliphatic carbon atoms
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
- C10M133/00—Lubricating compositions characterised by the additive being an organic non-macromolecular compound containing nitrogen
- C10M133/02—Lubricating compositions characterised by the additive being an organic non-macromolecular compound containing nitrogen having a carbon chain of less than 30 atoms
- C10M133/38—Heterocyclic nitrogen compounds
- C10M133/44—Five-membered ring containing nitrogen and carbon only
- C10M133/46—Imidazoles
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
- C10M145/00—Lubricating compositions characterised by the additive being a macromolecular compound containing oxygen
- C10M145/18—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
- C10M145/24—Polyethers
- C10M145/26—Polyoxyalkylenes
- C10M145/28—Polyoxyalkylenes of alkylene oxides containing 2 carbon atoms only
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
- C10M145/00—Lubricating compositions characterised by the additive being a macromolecular compound containing oxygen
- C10M145/18—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
- C10M145/24—Polyethers
- C10M145/26—Polyoxyalkylenes
- C10M145/36—Polyoxyalkylenes etherified
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
- C10M2201/00—Inorganic compounds or elements as ingredients in lubricant compositions
- C10M2201/02—Water
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
- C10M2207/00—Organic non-macromolecular hydrocarbon compounds containing hydrogen, carbon and oxygen as ingredients in lubricant compositions
- C10M2207/04—Ethers; Acetals; Ortho-esters; Ortho-carbonates
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
- C10M2207/00—Organic non-macromolecular hydrocarbon compounds containing hydrogen, carbon and oxygen as ingredients in lubricant compositions
- C10M2207/04—Ethers; Acetals; Ortho-esters; Ortho-carbonates
- C10M2207/046—Hydroxy ethers
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
- C10M2209/00—Organic macromolecular compounds containing oxygen as ingredients in lubricant compositions
- C10M2209/10—Macromolecular compoundss obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
- C10M2209/103—Polyethers, i.e. containing di- or higher polyoxyalkylene groups
- C10M2209/104—Polyethers, i.e. containing di- or higher polyoxyalkylene groups of alkylene oxides containing two carbon atoms only
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
- C10M2209/00—Organic macromolecular compounds containing oxygen as ingredients in lubricant compositions
- C10M2209/10—Macromolecular compoundss obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
- C10M2209/103—Polyethers, i.e. containing di- or higher polyoxyalkylene groups
- C10M2209/108—Polyethers, i.e. containing di- or higher polyoxyalkylene groups etherified
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
- C10M2215/00—Organic non-macromolecular compounds containing nitrogen as ingredients in lubricant compositions
- C10M2215/02—Amines, e.g. polyalkylene polyamines; Quaternary amines
- C10M2215/04—Amines, e.g. polyalkylene polyamines; Quaternary amines having amino groups bound to acyclic or cycloaliphatic carbon atoms
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
- C10M2215/00—Organic non-macromolecular compounds containing nitrogen as ingredients in lubricant compositions
- C10M2215/22—Heterocyclic nitrogen compounds
- C10M2215/223—Five-membered rings containing nitrogen and carbon only
- C10M2215/224—Imidazoles
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10M—LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS; USE OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES EITHER ALONE OR AS LUBRICATING INGREDIENTS IN A LUBRICATING COMPOSITION
- C10M2215/00—Organic non-macromolecular compounds containing nitrogen as ingredients in lubricant compositions
- C10M2215/26—Amines
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
- C10N2040/00—Specified use or application for which the lubricating composition is intended
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
- C10N2040/00—Specified use or application for which the lubricating composition is intended
- C10N2040/30—Refrigerators lubricants or compressors lubricants
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
- C10N2040/00—Specified use or application for which the lubricating composition is intended
- C10N2040/32—Wires, ropes or cables lubricants
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
- C10N2040/00—Specified use or application for which the lubricating composition is intended
- C10N2040/34—Lubricating-sealants
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
- C10N2040/00—Specified use or application for which the lubricating composition is intended
- C10N2040/36—Release agents or mold release agents
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
- C10N2040/00—Specified use or application for which the lubricating composition is intended
- C10N2040/38—Conveyors or chain belts
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
- C10N2040/00—Specified use or application for which the lubricating composition is intended
- C10N2040/40—Generators or electric motors in oil or gas winning field
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
- C10N2040/00—Specified use or application for which the lubricating composition is intended
- C10N2040/42—Flashing oils or marking oils
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
- C10N2040/00—Specified use or application for which the lubricating composition is intended
- C10N2040/44—Super vacuum or supercritical use
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
- C10N2040/00—Specified use or application for which the lubricating composition is intended
- C10N2040/50—Medical uses
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10N—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS C10M RELATING TO LUBRICATING COMPOSITIONS
- C10N2050/00—Form in which the lubricant is applied to the material being lubricated
- C10N2050/01—Emulsions, colloids, or micelles
Definitions
- This invention relates to aqueous lubricant compositions suitable for use in the beverage and food industries.
- While the present invention has broad applicability to the conveyance of containers it is envisaged to be particularly applicable to the conveyance of glass, plastic, plastic impregnated or coated cardboard, or metal beverage containers on belt or chain conveyors of metal or plastic.
- the container is of glass a stainless steel conveyor is often used whereas, when the container is of another material, for example of aluminium, or of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or of polyethylene (PE) the conveyor may be of, for example, of nylon or of polypropylene or an acetal resin.
- Lubricant compositions are also subject to requirements other than those relating purely to their frictional performance.
- Some lubricant compositions react with the hardness salts in water to deposit alkaline earth fatty acid salts on the conveyor and on the pipework used to deliver lubricant to the conveyor. This may be alleviated by ensuring that only soft water, for example containing hardness salts equivalent to below 5 ppm CaCO 3 , is used to make up the lubricant or by including an effective amount of a complexing agent, such as ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), in the composition.
- EDTA ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid
- Some lubricant compositions may tend to cause stress-cracking in the bases of plastic containers, such as PET containers, under conditions of internal pressurisation and/or warming. Using the lubricant compositions of the invention this effect may be reduced.
- Some lubricant compositions amongst the fatty acid-, fatty amine- and phosphate ester-based compositions have a deleterious effect on print and tend to cause the leaching of printing ink from a print display. Since it is common practice to preprint beverage cans this presents a considerable problem.
- U.S. patent specification No. 5 747 431 describes an aqueous lubricant composition containing one or more of a specific range of cyclic imidazolines defined by general formula and an amount of an inorganic acid or a carboxylic acid having up to 6 carbon atoms, for example acetic acid, sufficient to render the cyclic imidazoline soluble in water.
- the quantity of the acid is typically from 0.05 to 10.5% by weight of the concentrate and, if required, additional acid is be added to bring the pH into the required region which is, preferably, from 3 to 8, more preferably from 3 to 6. At such a pH the imidazoline is solubilized by conversion to the acetate.
- the lubricant composition may also contain an alkylamine carboxylate although this is exemplified in a quantity of only 0.6% wt/wt active raw material relative to 2.0% on an active basis, of the imidazoline.
- U.K. patent specification No. 2 285 630-A describes an aqueous lubricant composition containing an alkylamine dicarboxylate, a cyclic imidazoline and an alkyl sulphonate anionic surfactant, each defined by general formula.
- the present invention in its broadest aspect, is based on an aqueous lubricant composition comprising a combination of an amphoteric carboxylate with an imidazoline, the composition having a pH greater than 8, and on the finding that an unexpected degree of reduction in sliding friction obtainable by the use of such a composition, as well as certain other beneficial properties, in the absence of a content of any effective quantity of an anionic sulphonate surfactant, or of any other anionic surfactant.
- any sulphonate or other anionic surfactant if present, is preferably present in less than 0.2%, particularly preferably less than 0.15% by weight of the composition.
- cyclic imidazolines are believed to hydrolyse under some pH conditions with ring opening.
- the present invention encompasses both cyclic imidazolines and the chain compounds corresponding to the cyclic imidazoline hydrolysis products, whether the chain compounds are actually formed by the hydrolysis mechanism or not, or whether they are formed in situ in the lubricant composition or not and the term "hydrolysis product", used hereafter, is intended to encompass all of these alternative possibilities.
- the present invention provides an aqueous lubricant composition
- aqueous lubricant composition comprising a combination of (a) one or more alkylamine monocarboxylates defined by the general formula (I) wherein
- R 3 is an alkyl fatty chain, preferably of coco-distribution.
- the preferred compounds within Formula (II) for use in the practice of the present invention are: and hydrolysis products thereof.
- the lubricant compositions of the invention may be in the form of a concentrate, for example containing from 0.1% to 10% by weight, or up to the solubility limit, which may be up to 20% by weight or more, in total and on an active material basis, of the amphoteric alkyl carboxylate and the imidazoline.
- a concentrate is preferably, but not essentially, produced using naturally soft water, distilled water or softened water to maximise storage stability.
- the concentrate is further diluted, for example from 0.0005% to 5%, preferably at least 0.005%, preferably up to 2%, in total and on the same basis, of the same compounds. For this further dilution it is found that soft, medium or even hard water may be used.
- the relative molar proportion of the amphoteric alkyl carboxylate and the imidazoline is preferably from 10:90 to 90:10, particularly preferably from 60:40 to 40:60.
- the lubricant compositions may contain other constituents, for example a hydrophilic organic co-solvent such as, for example butyl diglycol, monoethylene glycol or isopropyl alcohol, suitably in a concentration of from 1% to 10% by weight, a nonionic surfactant such as an alcohol alkoxylate, suitably in a concentration of 0.1% to 5% by weight and a biocide, suitably in a concentration of from 0.1% to 10% by weight.
- a hydrophilic organic co-solvent such as, for example butyl diglycol, monoethylene glycol or isopropyl alcohol, suitably in a concentration of from 1% to 10% by weight
- a nonionic surfactant such as an alcohol alkoxylate
- a biocide suitably in a concentration of from 0.1% to 10% by weight.
- the cosolvent may be supplied by using the amphoteric carboxylate in the form of a solution thereof.
- the pH of the lubricant composition of the invention is controlled at a pH greater than 8.5 for example, desirably, greater than 9. It is preferred that the pH is below 11 and a pH range of from 9.5 to 10.5 is particularly preferred.
- the imidazoline is, surprisingly, solubilized in the presence of the alkylamine carboxylate. There is no reliance on salt formation to achieve solution in water.
- the effectiveness of the lubricant compositions may be tested as follows.
- a number of glass bottles sufficient to give a load of 2000g are placed on a pilot conveyor fitted with a stainless steel track.
- the bottles are tethered to a force gauge capable of measuring the drag force in grams.
- Lubricant at a suitable concentration is sprayed onto the track and the track set in motion.
- Drag Coefficient (U) is calculated as Drag Force/2000 g.
- a coefficient of less than 0.15 represents good lubrication and higher values represent poor lubrication.
- Pressurised PET bottles are dipped into a sample of lubricant prediluted to use concentration (typically 1% by weight). After 10 minutes the bottles are removed and placed in an oven at a temperature of 38°C. After 72 hours at this temperature the bottles are removed and are examined visually for signs of stress cracking. A bottle similarly oven treated, which had not been contacted with the lubricant is used as a control.
- Samples of steel sheet printed with a representative ink are immersed in solutions of the lubricant having up to 10 times normal use concentration. The solutions are held at a temperature of 60°C for 30 minutes and the samples were then removed and examined visually for ink leaching.
- Example 1 used both the essential components of the invention, the imidazoline was absent from Example 2 and the amphoteric alkyl amine carboxylate was absent from Example 3. A synergic effect is apparent in the composition according to the invention from the results.
- Example 4 composition was further diluted to 1% in water containing 10ppm sulphate or 10ppm phosphate ions. Both solutions remained clear overnight. This is in contrast to cationic lubricants, such as those based on fatty amines, which tend to become cloudy on standing as a result of the formation of insoluble sulphate or phosphate salts.
- Example 5 composition was tested in waters ranging from 30 to 250 ppm CaCO 3 of hardness with no observable difference in Drag Coefficient. All the solutions remained clear despite the absence of a chelating agent.
- lubricant compositions of the invention were found to be compatible with Can Print Pigments and PET.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Lubricants (AREA)
Abstract
An aqueous lubricant composition, suitable for conveyor
lubrication in the beverage or food industries, for example for
lubricating the transport of glass, plastic, plastic impregnated
or coated cardboard or metal beverage containers on a conveyor of
stainless steel or nylon, comprises a combination of an amphoteric
carboxylate, preferably an alkyl amine carboxylate, and an
imidazoline, the composition having a pH above 8 and being in the
absence of any effective quantity of an anionic sulphonate
surfactant. The composition gives an excellent drag coefficient,
is compatible with printing inks and gives low stress cracking in
PET containers.
Description
- This invention relates to aqueous lubricant compositions suitable for use in the beverage and food industries.
- In the beverage and food industries product containers, such as bottles or cans, are commonly transported on continuously operating conveyors through unit operation stations, such as filling, closure or sealing stations. During transport between the stations, or at each operation, blockages of the containers on the conveyor can occur while the conveyor continues to move. To cope with these interruptions and resumptions in the movement of the containers reliably a low but appreciable sliding friction between the material of the containers and of the conveyor is required. It is usual to use a lubricant on the conveyor to achieve the required frictional characteristics. Additional functions of a lubricant are to provide control of microbiological growth and to provide detergency to remove spillages and other soils.
- While the present invention has broad applicability to the conveyance of containers it is envisaged to be particularly applicable to the conveyance of glass, plastic, plastic impregnated or coated cardboard, or metal beverage containers on belt or chain conveyors of metal or plastic. When the container is of glass a stainless steel conveyor is often used whereas, when the container is of another material, for example of aluminium, or of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or of polyethylene (PE) the conveyor may be of, for example, of nylon or of polypropylene or an acetal resin.
- Lubricant compositions are also subject to requirements other than those relating purely to their frictional performance. Some lubricant compositions, for example those based on fatty acids, react with the hardness salts in water to deposit alkaline earth fatty acid salts on the conveyor and on the pipework used to deliver lubricant to the conveyor. This may be alleviated by ensuring that only soft water, for example containing hardness salts equivalent to below 5 ppm CaCO3, is used to make up the lubricant or by including an effective amount of a complexing agent, such as ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), in the composition. Some lubricant compositions, for example those based on fatty amines, may tend to cause stress-cracking in the bases of plastic containers, such as PET containers, under conditions of internal pressurisation and/or warming. Using the lubricant compositions of the invention this effect may be reduced. Some lubricant compositions amongst the fatty acid-, fatty amine- and phosphate ester-based compositions have a deleterious effect on print and tend to cause the leaching of printing ink from a print display. Since it is common practice to preprint beverage cans this presents a considerable problem.
- U.S. patent specification No. 5 747 431 describes an aqueous lubricant composition containing one or more of a specific range of cyclic imidazolines defined by general formula and an amount of an inorganic acid or a carboxylic acid having up to 6 carbon atoms, for example acetic acid, sufficient to render the cyclic imidazoline soluble in water. The quantity of the acid is typically from 0.05 to 10.5% by weight of the concentrate and, if required, additional acid is be added to bring the pH into the required region which is, preferably, from 3 to 8, more preferably from 3 to 6. At such a pH the imidazoline is solubilized by conversion to the acetate. Optionally, the lubricant composition may also contain an alkylamine carboxylate although this is exemplified in a quantity of only 0.6% wt/wt active raw material relative to 2.0% on an active basis, of the imidazoline.
- U.K. patent specification No. 2 285 630-A describes an aqueous lubricant composition containing an alkylamine dicarboxylate, a cyclic imidazoline and an alkyl sulphonate anionic surfactant, each defined by general formula.
- The present invention, in its broadest aspect, is based on an aqueous lubricant composition comprising a combination of an amphoteric carboxylate with an imidazoline, the composition having a pH greater than 8, and on the finding that an unexpected degree of reduction in sliding friction obtainable by the use of such a composition, as well as certain other beneficial properties, in the absence of a content of any effective quantity of an anionic sulphonate surfactant, or of any other anionic surfactant. For example, any sulphonate or other anionic surfactant, if present, is preferably present in less than 0.2%, particularly preferably less than 0.15% by weight of the composition.
- In defining the composition provided by the invention it is noted that cyclic imidazolines are believed to hydrolyse under some pH conditions with ring opening. The present invention encompasses both cyclic imidazolines and the chain compounds corresponding to the cyclic imidazoline hydrolysis products, whether the chain compounds are actually formed by the hydrolysis mechanism or not, or whether they are formed in situ in the lubricant composition or not and the term "hydrolysis product", used hereafter, is intended to encompass all of these alternative possibilities.
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- R1 represents C1 to C24, preferably C7 to C24, alkyl- or C1 to C24, preferably C7 to C24, alkyl-[N-(CH2)n']m- wherein n,n' and m are the same or different and have values of at least 1, preferably from 1 to 5
- R2 represents H, C1 to C24 alkyl or C1 to C24 alkyl substituted by one or more hydroxyl or amine groups
- M+ represents H+, Na+, K+ or (CH2OH.CH2)3NH+ and (b)
- R4 is -CH2-CH2-OH or -CH2-CH2-NH2 or is an amide function
- R5 is an alkyl chain having a value of at least C1, preferably from C1 to C30.
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- The lubricant compositions of the invention may be in the form of a concentrate, for example containing from 0.1% to 10% by weight, or up to the solubility limit, which may be up to 20% by weight or more, in total and on an active material basis, of the amphoteric alkyl carboxylate and the imidazoline. Such a concentrate is preferably, but not essentially, produced using naturally soft water, distilled water or softened water to maximise storage stability. For use the concentrate is further diluted, for example from 0.0005% to 5%, preferably at least 0.005%, preferably up to 2%, in total and on the same basis, of the same compounds. For this further dilution it is found that soft, medium or even hard water may be used. The relative molar proportion of the amphoteric alkyl carboxylate and the imidazoline is preferably from 10:90 to 90:10, particularly preferably from 60:40 to 40:60.
- The lubricant compositions may contain other constituents, for example a hydrophilic organic co-solvent such as, for example butyl diglycol, monoethylene glycol or isopropyl alcohol, suitably in a concentration of from 1% to 10% by weight, a nonionic surfactant such as an alcohol alkoxylate, suitably in a concentration of 0.1% to 5% by weight and a biocide, suitably in a concentration of from 0.1% to 10% by weight. The cosolvent may be supplied by using the amphoteric carboxylate in the form of a solution thereof.
- Preferably, to enhance solubility, the pH of the lubricant composition of the invention is controlled at a pH greater than 8.5 for example, desirably, greater than 9. It is preferred that the pH is below 11 and a pH range of from 9.5 to 10.5 is particularly preferred. At the pH levels envisaged by this invention the imidazoline is, surprisingly, solubilized in the presence of the alkylamine carboxylate. There is no reliance on salt formation to achieve solution in water.
- The effectiveness of the lubricant compositions may be tested as follows.
- A number of glass bottles sufficient to give a load of 2000g are placed on a pilot conveyor fitted with a stainless steel track. The bottles are tethered to a force gauge capable of measuring the drag force in grams. Lubricant at a suitable concentration is sprayed onto the track and the track set in motion. Drag Coefficient (U) is calculated as Drag Force/2000 g. A coefficient of less than 0.15 represents good lubrication and higher values represent poor lubrication.
- Pressurised PET bottles are dipped into a sample of lubricant prediluted to use concentration (typically 1% by weight). After 10 minutes the bottles are removed and placed in an oven at a temperature of 38°C. After 72 hours at this temperature the bottles are removed and are examined visually for signs of stress cracking. A bottle similarly oven treated, which had not been contacted with the lubricant is used as a control.
- Samples of steel sheet printed with a representative ink are immersed in solutions of the lubricant having up to 10 times normal use concentration. The solutions are held at a temperature of 60°C for 30 minutes and the samples were then removed and examined visually for ink leaching.
- Certain lubricant compositions according to the invention are now described with reference to the following examples but without any limitation of the scope of the invention thereto. Examples 1, 4 and 5 are according to the invention and Examples 2 and 3 are not according to the invention but are comparative therewith.
- The following compositions were made up by adding the other ingredients to the water and the compositions were tested for Drag Coefficient at a dilution of 1% by weight in tap water.
Example No. 1 2 3 Distilled water 85 87 90 Butyl diglycol 2 2 2 Nonionic alcohol alkoxylate 2 2 2 Amphoteric 2.5 2.5 2.5 Biocide 1.5 1.5 1.5 Imidazoline 2 0 2 Amphoteric alkyl amine carboxylate 5 5 0 pH 10 9 11 Drag Coefficient 0.075 0.1 0.15 - Example 1 used both the essential components of the invention, the imidazoline was absent from Example 2 and the amphoteric alkyl amine carboxylate was absent from Example 3. A synergic effect is apparent in the composition according to the invention from the results.
- The following compositions were made up and tested for Drag Coefficient at a dilution of 0.5% by weight in tap water.
Example No. 4 5 Distilled water 89 89 Nonionic alcohol alkoxylate 0.5 0.5 Biocide 4 4 Imidazoline 80H (R5 = C8) 1.5 0 Imidazoline120H (R5 = C12) 0 1.5 Amphoteric alkyl amine carboxylate 5 5 pH 10 10 Drag Coefficient 0.11 0.11 Trade names/sources of constituents - These Examples show no difference between the Imidazolines having chains of 8 and of 12 carbon atoms. This is surprising since the longer chain length (C12 to C18) has traditionally been preferred.
- The Example 4 composition was further diluted to 1% in water containing 10ppm sulphate or 10ppm phosphate ions. Both solutions remained clear overnight. This is in contrast to cationic lubricants, such as those based on fatty amines, which tend to become cloudy on standing as a result of the formation of insoluble sulphate or phosphate salts.
- The Example 5 composition, further diluted to 1% by weight, was tested in waters ranging from 30 to 250 ppm CaCO3 of hardness with no observable difference in Drag Coefficient. All the solutions remained clear despite the absence of a chelating agent.
- Using the test methods given above lubricant compositions of the invention were found to be compatible with Can Print Pigments and PET.
- Experiments were conducted using other surfactant acids including sarcosinates, phosphate esters, ether carboxylates and sulphonic acids. The are less effective in that either the formulations are not hard water stable, have poor lubrication or have poor stability. However, it is likely that stability could be improved by the use of suitable cosolvents or surfactants.
- A solution containing 1.5% by weight of Imidazoline 80H and 98.5% by weight of butyl diglycol was made up. It was found to have a pH of 10.5 which is very close to the pH levels in the preceding Examples. This is taken to indicate that the imidazoline is present in a similar form in the Examples as in the present test.
one or more cyclic imidazolines defined by the general formula (II), and hydrolysis products thereof, wherein
Claims (14)
- An aqueous lubricant composition, suitable for conveyor lubrication in the beverage or food industries, comprising a combination of an amphoteric carboxylate and an imidazoline, the composition having a pH above 8 and being in the absence of any effective quantity of an anionic sulphonate surfactant.
- A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carboxylate is an amphoteric alkyl amine carboxylate.
- A composition as claimed in claim 2 wherein the carboxylate is a monocarboxylate.
- An aqueous lubricant composition, suitable for conveyor lubrication in the beverage or food industries, comprising a combination of(a) one or more alkylamine monocarboxylates defined by the general formula (I) whereinR1 represents C1 to C24, preferably C7 to C24, alkyl- or C1 to C24, preferably C7 to C24, alkyl-[N-(CH2)n']m- wherein n, n' and m are the same or different and have values of at least 1, preferably from 1 to 5.R2 represents H, C1 to C24 alkyl or C1 to C24 alkyl substituted by one or more hydroxyl or amine groupsM+ represents H+, Na+, K+ or (CH2OH.CH2)3NH+ and
- A composition as claimed in any preceding claim in the form of a concentrate containing from 0.1% by weight, to the solubility limit, in total and on an active material basis of the amphoteric carboxylate and the imidazoline.
- A composition as claimed in any preceding claim in the form of a working solution containing from 0.0005% to 5% by weight, in total and on an active material basis, of the amphoteric carboxylate and the imidazoline.
- A composition as claimed in any preceding claim containing the amphoteric carboxylate and the imidazoline in relative molar proportions of from 10:90 to 90:10.
- A composition as claimed in any preceding claim having a pH greater than 8.5.
- A composition as claimed in claim 10 having a pH from 9.5 to 10.5.
- A composition as claimed in any preceding claim containing one or more of a hydrophilic organic co-solvent in a concentration of from 1% to 10% by weight, a nonionic surfactant in a concentration of 0.1% to 5% by weight and a biocide, in a concentration of from 0.1% to 10% by weight.
- The use of a composition as claimed in any preceding claim in conveyor lubrication.
- The use claimed in claim 13 wherein the conveyor is of stainless steel, polypropylene or an acetal resin and the containers to be conveyed are of glass, aluminium, steel, polyethylene terephthalate(PET), polyethylene(PE) or cardboard.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9824396A GB2343460B (en) | 1998-11-09 | 1998-11-09 | Aqueous lubricant compositions |
GB9824396 | 1998-11-09 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1001005A1 true EP1001005A1 (en) | 2000-05-17 |
Family
ID=10842004
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP99121643A Withdrawn EP1001005A1 (en) | 1998-11-09 | 1999-10-30 | Aqueous lubricant compositions |
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Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP1001005A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2343460B (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2011008131A2 (en) * | 2009-07-16 | 2011-01-20 | Naumov Vladimir Nikolaevich | Water-soluble conveyor lubricant |
US9359579B2 (en) | 2010-09-24 | 2016-06-07 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Conveyor lubricants including emulsions and methods employing them |
US9365798B2 (en) | 2005-03-15 | 2016-06-14 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Lubricant for conveying containers |
US9562209B2 (en) | 2005-03-15 | 2017-02-07 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Dry lubricant for conveying containers |
US9873853B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2018-01-23 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Lubrication of transfer plates using an oil or oil in water emulsions |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2285630A (en) * | 1994-01-12 | 1995-07-19 | Diversey Corp | Aqueous lubricant compositions for conveyor tracks |
US5747431A (en) * | 1994-01-12 | 1998-05-05 | Diversey Lever Inc. | Lubricant compositions |
-
1998
- 1998-11-09 GB GB9824396A patent/GB2343460B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1999
- 1999-10-30 EP EP99121643A patent/EP1001005A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2285630A (en) * | 1994-01-12 | 1995-07-19 | Diversey Corp | Aqueous lubricant compositions for conveyor tracks |
US5747431A (en) * | 1994-01-12 | 1998-05-05 | Diversey Lever Inc. | Lubricant compositions |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9926511B2 (en) | 2005-03-15 | 2018-03-27 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Lubricant for conveying containers |
US10815448B2 (en) | 2005-03-15 | 2020-10-27 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Lubricant for conveying containers |
US10851325B2 (en) | 2005-03-15 | 2020-12-01 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Dry lubricant for conveying containers |
US9365798B2 (en) | 2005-03-15 | 2016-06-14 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Lubricant for conveying containers |
US9562209B2 (en) | 2005-03-15 | 2017-02-07 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Dry lubricant for conveying containers |
WO2011008131A3 (en) * | 2009-07-16 | 2011-03-10 | Naumov, Vladimir Nikolaevich | Water-soluble conveyor lubricant |
WO2011008131A2 (en) * | 2009-07-16 | 2011-01-20 | Naumov Vladimir Nikolaevich | Water-soluble conveyor lubricant |
US10793806B2 (en) | 2010-09-24 | 2020-10-06 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Conveyor lubricants including emulsions and methods employing them |
US10260020B2 (en) | 2010-09-24 | 2019-04-16 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Conveyor lubricants including emulsions and methods employing them |
US9359579B2 (en) | 2010-09-24 | 2016-06-07 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Conveyor lubricants including emulsions and methods employing them |
US9873853B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2018-01-23 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Lubrication of transfer plates using an oil or oil in water emulsions |
US10316267B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2019-06-11 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Lubrication of transfer plates using an oil or oil in water emulsions |
US10844314B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2020-11-24 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Lubrication of transfer plates using an oil or oil in water emulsions |
US11312919B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2022-04-26 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Lubrication of transfer plates using an oil or oil in water emulsions |
US11788028B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2023-10-17 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Lubrication of transfer plate using an oil or oil in water emulsions |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2343460A (en) | 2000-05-10 |
GB9824396D0 (en) | 1998-12-30 |
GB2343460B (en) | 2002-12-24 |
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