Abstract: Solar collector employing a liquid collecting medium. A textile collection surface of which the thickness possesses different densities is employed to carry the medium. These densities are such that the densities increase from the surface exposed to the sun to the opposite surface, in order to enable the liquid to run in the upper thickness. The textile collecting surface consists of at least one nonwoven textile thickness.

Abstract: An irrigating device formed from an absorbent product, such as a polymeric pulp or hydrophilic textile contained within a filtering envelope, such as a woven, knitted or non-woven fabric. The device is placed in the ground in communication with a source of water which may be above or below ground. The irrigation device provides for a uniform rate of irrigation of the soil in which it is placed, requires less water than conventional irrigation devices providing the same overall coverage, and is not subject to dogging or blockage, as with conventional irrigation devices.In one embodiment for preparing the irrigation device, the absorbent product is in the form of a tow of hydrophilic continuous filament and the textile filter envelope is produced in a continuous in-line operation in conjunction with the production of the tow.The irrigation device can be applied to the irrigation of soils to facilitate the growth of plants, trees, crops and the germination of seeds.