Conveyor lubricant

Abstract

A conveyor lubricant composition comprises water, a viscosity modifier at a concentration of from 0.01% to 5% by weight of the composition, and a humectant. A surfactant and a biocide are preferably included in the composition, and the humectant is preferably included at a concentration of 10 to 40% by weight of the composition. The composition is superior to conventional aqueous soap- and detergent-based lubricants.

1 . A conveyor lubricant composition comprising water, a viscosity modifier at a concentration of from 0.01% to 5% by weight of the composition, and a humectant.  
     
     
         2 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the viscosity of the composition is at least 25 mPa s.  
     
     
         3 . A composition according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the viscosity modifier is present at a concentration of from 0.25 to 1.0% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         4 . A composition according to  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein the humectant is present at a concentration of from 5 to 80% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         5 . A composition according to  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3  or  4  wherein the humectant is present at a concentration of 10 to 40% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         6 . A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the humectant is present at a concentration of 20 to 30% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         7 . A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the viscosity modifier is a cellulose derivative, such as hydroxyethylcellulose or hydroxymethylcellulose; or a natural gum; or a synthetic resin or a polymer.  
     
     
         8 . A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the humectant is a compound which absorbs at least one quarter of its own weight of water.  
     
     
         9 . A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the humectant is glycerin, triethanolamine, triacetin or diacetin.  
     
     
         10 . A composition according to any preceding claim which composition comprises (by weight of the composition) 0.25 to 1.0% viscosity modifier and 10 to 40% humectant, the balance being water.  
     
     
         11 . A composition according to any preceding claim further comprising a surfactant and, optionally, a biocide.  
     
     
         12 . A composition according to  claim 11  which composition comprises (by weight of the composition) 0.25 to 1.0% viscosity modifier, 10 to 40% humectant, 0.1 to 0.5% surfactant and 0.1 to 0.5% biocide, the balance being water.  
     
     
         13 . A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the viscosity of the composition is from 100 to 5000 mPa s.  
     
     
         14 . A method of lubricating a conveyor, which method comprises applying to the conveyor a composition according to any of  claims 1  to  13 .  
     
     
         15 . Use of a composition according to any of  claims 1  to  13  as a conveyor lubricant.  
     
     
         16 . A method or use according to  claim 14  or  15 , wherein the conveyor is a chain- or slat-type conveyor.  
     
     
         17 . A conveyor having on at least one surface or part thereof a lubricant composition according to any of  claims 1  to  13 .