Methods and apparatuses for producing a zoned and/or layered substrate are described. A method can include providing a first supply of fibers, providing a second supply of fibers, and providing a headbox. The headbox can include a machine direction, a cross-direction, and a first cross-directional divider that separates a first zone of the headbox from a second zone of the headbox in a cross-directional manner. The method can further include transferring the first supply of fibers and the second supply of fibers to the headbox. The method can also include transferring the first supply of fibers and the second supply of fibers through the headbox to provide the substrate.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a sound-absorbing textile composite, including: a) at least one open-pore support layer comprising coarse staple fibers having a titer of from 3 dtex to 17 dtex and fine staple fibers having a titer of from 0.3 dtex to 2.9 dtex, as scaffold fibers; and b) a microporous flow layer arranged on the support layer and including microfibers having a fiber diameter of less than 10 m. A flow resistance of the sound-absorbing textile composite is from 250 Ns/m.sup.3 to 5000 Ns/m.sup.3.

The present invention relates to a thermal insulating structure including at least one baffle, to an article of wear and a sleeping bag including such a thermal insulating structure, and to a method for manufacturing such a thermal insulating structure. In some embodiments, the baffle includes a plurality of natural and/or synthetic down fibers and a plurality of low-melt fibers, wherein the low-melt fibers have been melted to the natural and/or synthetic down fibers by heating inside the baffle.

An absorbent article such as a baby diaper comprising a three-dimensional laminate 30 having a first layer 1 intermittently bonded to a second layer 2 by a heterophase polymer. The topsheet comprises three-dimensional protrusions 9 in the first layer 1 which are not bonded to the second layer 2. The heterophase polymer has an enthalpy of fusion of at least 10 J/g. The laminate may be used on the wearer-facing side of the article as topsheet 24 and/or on the garment-facing side as part of the backsheet 26. The first layer may comprise natural fibers.

A fluid management layer having an integrated, carded, nonwoven is described. The fluid management layer has a basis weight of between about 115 grams per square meter (gsm) and about 200 gsm; a plurality of absorbent fibers; a plurality of stiffening fibers; and a plurality of resilient fibers. The absorbent fibers make up from about 20 percent to about 60 percent by weight of the fluid management layer. The stiffening fibers have a dtex of between 4 and 10, and the resilient fibers have a dtex of between 3 and 12.

An absorbent article includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a backsheet at least peripherally joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet. The absorbent article further includes an integrated nonwoven fluid management layer having a basis weight between about 40 gsm and about 65 gsm; and an Urine Standard Rewet Value of 10 mg or less.

A fluid management layer having an integrated, carded, nonwoven is described. The fluid management layer has a basis weight of between about 40 grams per square meter (gsm) and about 75 gsm; a plurality of absorbent fibers, a plurality of stiffening fibers and a plurality of resilient fibers; wherein the fluid management layer exhibits a total compression of greater than 0.40 mm and has a total recovery of at least 0.35 mm, and wherein the fluid management layer has a density of less than or equal to 0.08 g/cc.

A fluid management layer having an integrated, carded nonwoven is described. The fluid management layer has a basis weight of between about 40 grams per square meter (gsm) and about 75 gsm, and a plurality of absorbent fibers, a plurality of stiffening fibers and a plurality of resilient fibers. The fluid management layer has a compression distance of at least 0.60 mm

A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a fluid management layer disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core is disclosed. The disposable absorbent article provides improved fluid acquisition, improved stain size control, and improved performance when wet.

A fluid management layer having an integrated, carded nonwoven is described. The fluid management layer has a basis weight of between about 40 grams per square meter (gsm) and about 75 gsm; a plurality of absorbent fibers; a plurality of stiffening fibers; and a plurality of resilient fibers. The fluid management layer has a caliper factor of at least about 0.13.