A nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, and wherein in at least one of the microzones, the first region is hydrophobic and the second region is hydrophilic.

Aspects herein relate to a garment that comprises a first knit textile comprising a cell configuration having a knitted perimeter portion and a knitted central portion that is integrally knitted with and enclosed within the knitted perimeter portion. The knitted perimeter portion comprises a first percentage by weight of a first yarn type and a second yarn type. The knitted central portion comprises only the second yarn type. The knitted textile further comprises a second knit textile that is integrally knit with the first knit textile and comprises a plurality of linear knit portions. A first linear knit portion comprises a first percentage by weight of the first yarn type and a second linear knit portion comprises solely the second yarn type. The first linear knit portion of the plurality of linear portions is directly interlooped with a second leaner knit portion.

A method for preliminarily making a basic knitted fabric by repeatedly juxtapositionally plating a hydrophilic yarn on a hydrophobic yarn to form an inner hydrophobic sublayer consisting of a plurality of inner hydrophobic loops to be contacted with a wearer's skin, and an outer hydrophilic sublayer consisting of a plurality of outer hydrophilic loops at an outer surface; and for secondarily fleecing the basic knitted fabric to increase its capillary gradient and uni-directional moisture transportability for quickly transporting moisture outwardly for making the wearer more dry, warm, comfortable.

A synthetic radiator fabric with permanent mechanical wicking defines an inner surface and has a raised knit body defining an opposite outer surface. The fabric includes hydrophilic and hydrophobic fiber-containing yarns. At the inner surface, the hydrophilic fiber-containing yarns collect liquid sweat from a wearer's skin surface and maintain the collected sweat at the inner surface, generally in the vicinity of and/or in contact with the wearer's skin, for encouraging evaporation of sweat and providing evaporative cooling. The raised knit body extends from the inner surface toward, and defines, the opposite outer surface. The hydrophobic fiber-containing yarns are arranged in a radiator-like construction forming egg-crate or honey-comb like cells or pores, defined by the knit body and open to the inner surface. At the outer fabric surface, the hydrophobic fibers receive excess sweat from the wearer's body, thereby to encourage rapid evaporation and drying, for improved breathability.

Glass-fiber mats for lead-acid batteries are described. The glass-fiber mats may include a plurality of glass fibers held together with a binder. The binder may be made from a binder composition that includes (i) an acid resistant polymer, and (ii) a hydrophilic agent. The hydrophilic agent increases the wettability of the glass-fiber mat such that the glass-fiber mat forms a contact angle with water or aqueous sulfuric acid solution of 70° or less. Also described are methods of making the glass-fiber mats that include applying a binder composition to the glass fibers, and including a hydrophilic agent in the glass fiber mat that increases the wettability of the mat. The hydrophilic agent may be added to the binder composition, applied to the glass-fiber mat, or both.

Spun yarns, fabrics, and garments with a balance of high thermal and comfort properties are disclosed. Spun yarns made with an intimate blend of fibers including flame resistant fiber, hydrophilic fibers, and anti-static fibers are described. The unique combination of fibers in the spun yarn and fabrics made therefrom provide a balance of high thermal properties, including flame resistance and thermal shrinkage resistance, as well as moisture management properties to provide both protection and comfort to the wearer. In addition, a spun yarn and fabric made therefrom may be dye accepting and/or can be printed thereon. In one embodiment, printable or dye accepting aramid fiber, or producer dyed meta-aramid is utilized in the spun yarn. A fabric made with the spun yarn may have pre-wash softness that makes it comfortable to wear.

A nonwoven fabric is provided. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, wherein at least one of the surfaces has a TS7 value of less than about 15 dB V.sup.2 rms, and wherein the first surface has a TS7 value that is higher than the second surface TS7 value.

An artificial turf system for installation over a receiving surface is described. The artificial turf system comprising: a sheet member made of a flexible material, the sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing with the receiving surface and a second surface; primary yarns made of straight fibers backstitched in and threaded through the sheet member and upwardly extending from the sheet member to a first elevation; and secondary yarns made of textured fibers backstitched in and threaded through the sheet member and upwardly extending from the sheet member at a second elevation less than the first elevation which is caused by a difference in texture between the primary yarns and the secondary yarns, wherein the secondary yarns are more rigid than the primary yarns, and wherein the primary yarns and the secondary yarns have ends which are cut after being threaded through the sheet member.

An artificial turf system for installation over a receiving surface is described. The artificial turf system comprising: a sheet member made of a flexible material, the sheet member defining a first surface for interfacing with the receiving surface and a second surface; primary yarns made of straight fibers backstitched in and threaded through the sheet member and upwardly extending from the sheet member to a first elevation; and secondary yarns made of textured fibers backstitched in and threaded through the sheet member and upwardly extending from the sheet member at a second elevation less than the first elevation which is caused by a difference in texture between the primary yarns and the secondary yarns, wherein the secondary yarns are more rigid than the primary yarns, and wherein the primary yarns and the secondary yarns have ends which are cut after being threaded through the sheet member.

There is provided a liquid filter having a small pressure loss and a manufacturing method for a liquid filter. The liquid filter is a liquid filter that is composed of a nonwoven fabric formed of fibers containing a water-insoluble polymer and a hydrophilizing agent. In the nonwoven fabric, a fiber density continuously changes in a film thickness direction, a fiber density difference is present in the film thickness direction, the fiber density of one surface of the nonwoven fabric in the film thickness direction is maximal, and the fiber density of the other surface of the nonwoven fabric in the film thickness direction is minimal.