Kimberly-clark Corporation

Malcolm L Johnson

Mark D Strickland

Tracey A Burbank

Danial O Fischer

Robert A Morrison

Lynn E Heyn

There is disclosed a nonwoven wiper comprising a composite web made of a number of interbonded layers of meltblown thermoplastic fibers. The outer layers have average pore sizes greater than 20 microns and preferably greater than 40 microns for rapid pick up of liquid. The internal layers have average pore sizes between 10-20 microns for liquid holding capacity.

Melt-blown nonwoven wiper

A covering for a mechanical linkage comprises a material which is substantially impermeable to both liquid and particle contaminants and conforms to the outer surface of the mechanical linkage. Because the covering conforms to the surface of the mechanical linkage, the covering does not have loose portions that billow and rub together as the mechanical linkage operates. This lessens the possibility of pieces of the covering and contaminating material detaching and falling from the mechanical linkage. The covering also comprises access openings whereby the mechanical linkage can be serviced without removing the entire covering. In a preferred embodiment, the covering comprises a plurality of sections, each section having fasteners for securing the sections about the mechanical linkage. The separate sections can be individually removed and replaced in a relatively short period of time. In a more preferred embodiment, the covers comprise a non-woven polymeric fabric which is a barrier to industrial coatings and finishes such as paint. The non-woven fabric comprises a central layer of melt-blown polymer fibers placed between and bonded to two layers of spunbonded polymeric fibers. The outer layer of spunbonded polymeric fibers is preferably calendered to prevent linting and bonded to resist abrasion. The outer layer of the cover comprises a fluorocarbon as a barrier to industrial coatings and finishes and an inorganic salt to prevent static electricity buildup on the outer layer. In addition, the polymeric fibers of the outer layer preferably have a non-white color which is distinctive from the color of the polymeric fibers of the inner layer so that the outer layer is distinguishable from the inner layer and any fibers from the outer layer that might detach from the covering during operation of the mechanical linkage are identifiable. The covers are particularly suited for protecting spraypainting robots from incident paint or varnish spray.

Protective covering for a mechanical linkage

Improved cover garment is disclosed providing an inner garment access option. For applications requiring a high degree of barrierness, openings are not desired, and the garment is used in its original condition. For other applications where it is desired to obtain access to an inner garment, a weakened line is provided adjacent at least one area of the inner garment where access may be desired. By application of stress to the area of the weakened line, the garment material separates providing a hand hole. The material from which the garment is made is preferable a nonwoven fabric containing thermoplastic fibers, and the weakened line is preferably formed by application of heat and pressure. Garments of the invention find applications as cover garments for clean rooms, hospitals and the like.

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East Point, GA, United States of America

Malcolm L Johnson