Method to form a finely divided distribution of lubricant droplets on a conveyor
US6821568B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 2003 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10N2070/02
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The interface between a moving conveyor belt and a work piece can be lubricated using an air driven stream of finely divided droplets of a lubricant composition. Droplets of a preferred size are directed by the air stream onto the conveyor with little waste of lubricant off the conveyor. The lubricant provides a very low coefficient of friction and little or no stress cracking in the containers. Using a low pressure and low flow rate air stream in conjunction with a low flow rate liquid lubricant attains the useful particle size in the lubricant add on spray. The liquid lubricant is sheared by the effect of the air flow creating the desirable droplet size and pattern of lubricant on the conveyor. A food container conveyor device having improved lubricant properties can be lubricated using a lubricant composition that can become ingested by a user from a food or a container for the food, can come into incidental contact or direct content with a food composition, can be incorporated at measurable concentrations into the food, or can be used generally on food conveyor surfaces wherein the food is exposed to the lubricant.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.