Abstract: A horizontal soil drainage system consisting of a nonwoven three-dimensional mat of a plurality of looped, intersecting and substantially amorphous filaments of melt-spun synthetic polymers bonded together at their intersections, at least one of the outer surfaces of said mat having a lower cross-sectional porosity than the center zone of said mat.

Abstract: A reinforced matting of melt-spun, interlooped, substantially amorphous and continuous synthetic thermoplastic filaments of which one set of filaments is applied with random penetration to a flat, latticed structure such as a fabric mesh or wire screen while another set of filaments may be added to form at least one and preferably several additional rows of interlooped filaments adhered to the first set of filaments carried by the latticed structure as a reinforcing member.

Abstract: A method of producing novel polyester yarns, threads or fabrics in which a previously unstretched melt-spun yarn such as polyethylene terephthalate is stretched upon a stationary heated stretching pin of a diameter of 15-60mm. and a pin temperature of 60.degree.-105.degree.C., the yarn being drawn at a stretching ratio of 60-80 percent of the normal ratio while placing the yarn under a thread tension after the pin of 0.2 to 1.1 grams/denier with a ratio of thread tension after the pin to that before the pin of 1:1.5 to 1.4. The resulting novel yarn is characterized by an elongation at breaking point of 30-80 percent, a boiling shrinkage capacity (at 100.degree.C. in water) of 20-50 percent and a large number of random denier fluctuations or variations per unit length of about 15-35 nodules per meter spaced at random intervals of about 0.5 to 8 centimeters. These yarns are particularly useful when fabricated into a textile structure and dyed, e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for smoothing and densifying both the upper and lower surfaces of a filamentary mat or sheet as rows of freshly melt spun filaments are permitted to fall freely onto the surface of a liquid cooling bath whereby the individual filaments spread laterally at the bath surface to form helical to sinuous loops which then become self-bonded at overlapping points of intersection within a short distance below the bath surface. A flattening or densifying of upper and lower surfaces of the mat into a more rigid structural member is accomplished by inserting at least one pair of downwardly diverging plates within the bath such that the upper apex thereof extends parallel to the rows of filaments and falls within at least one outermost row of filaments, thereby deflecting such a row inwardly and upwardly over the apex as it is incorporated into an outer bonded surface of the mat.