The invention is directed to a flat knit bra comprising two cups (1a, 1b), each cup provided with a neckline zone (2a, 2b), two power slings (4a, 4b) and two wing zones (5a, 5b) and a band (6) having a first and second end (6a, 6b). The neckline zones (2a, 2b) may extend to the band (6) in an overlapping fashion. The power sling (4a, 4b) is comprised of a double layered knit material. The band (6) is branches from a common centre region (16) into more than one band zones (7,8,9,10). One band zone (7,8) extends to the ends (6a, 6b) of the band (6) and at least one other band zone (9,10) extends into each of the wings (5a, 5b).

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.

A process to close an end of a tubular manufactured article directly on hosiery and knitwear circular machines, a respective circular machine and a respective device are described. The process provides that a respective stitch is collected from each needle of at least one first half of adjacent needles of the machine cylinder; the stitches are arranged on corresponding needles of a second half of adjacent cylinder needles, so that each of the needles of the second half of the needles carries a pair of stitches of the last course, which are arranged, at first, on opposite cylinder needles with reference to a diameter of the cylinder; at least one yarn is fed to the cylinder needles; and the pairs of stitches are joined together and the end of the tubular manufactured article is closed, by processing the yarn with the needles of the second half of the cylinder needles.

A variety of agricultural spacer fabrics/textiles are provided that protect plants from insect penetration while allowing for light and air penetration, and methods of use. The textiles can be used alone or in conjunction with agents such as insecticides, insect repellants, and fungicides. The agricultural textile can have an outermost fabric layer, an innermost fabric layer, and a plurality of filaments connecting the outermost fabric layer and the innermost fabric layer.

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. The nonwoven further has a plurality of apertures, wherein at least a portion of the aperture abuts at least one of the first region and the second region of the microzone.

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.

A shear band and a non-pneumatic tire is described which includes a ground contacting annular tread portion; a shear band, and a connecting web positioned between a hub and the shear band. The shear band is preferably comprised of a three-dimensional spacer fabric having a first and second layer connected by connecting members. The three-dimensional spacer fabric has a defined depth. The three-dimensional spacer structure further includes a plurality of cells formed between the connecting members, and wherein one or more of the cells are filled with a filler material. The filler material may be foam or a thermoplastic elastomer.

A shear band and a non-pneumatic tire is described which includes a ground contacting annular tread portion; a shear band, and a connecting web positioned between a hub and the shear band. The shear band is preferably comprised of a three-dimensional spacer fabric having a first and second layer connected by connecting members. The three-dimensional spacer fabric has a defined depth. The first and second layer of fabric of the three-dimensional spacer structure are reinforced with a respective first and second layer of non-crimped fabric, eliminating the need for a rubber shear layer and reinforcement layers commonly used for the shear band.

A lacrosse head pocket and a related method of manufacture are provided to facilitate consistent, repeatable and/or custom manufacture of lacrosse equipment. The pocket can be constructed from multiple different sections joined with one another, or can be knitted, weaved or otherwise assembled on an automated assembly machine from strands, and/or can be formed as a unitary textile material having regions/sections with different physical and/or mechanical properties. The pocket can be integrally molded within portions of a lacrosse head to eliminate manually constructed connections between the pocket and lacrosse head. The lacrosse head can be integrally molded with a lacrosse handle to provide a one-piece unitary lacrosse stick. The lacrosse pocket body can include one or more fused pocket areas. Related methods of manufacturing also are provided.

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.