An absorbent article comprises a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article comprises a nonwoven web. The nonwoven web having a first side and a second side. The nonwoven web comprises thermoplastic fibers and cellulosic fibers. At least a portion of the thermoplastic fibers are present on the first side and at least a portion of the cellulosic fibers are present on the second side. The nonwoven web has a pattern of discrete bond points, wherein the pattern of discrete bond points has a fiber free-length parameter, as defined by the Fiber Free-Length Test, with a value of less than 2.90 mm The second side of the nonwoven web forms part of an exterior surface of the absorbent article.

Fabrics are provided that include mono-component staple fibers, a first group of split staple fibers comprising a first polymeric material, and a second group of split staple fibers comprising a second polymeric material that is different than the first polymeric material. The mono-component staple fibers, the first group of split staple fibers, and the second group of split staple fibers are physically entangled together to define a consolidated nonwoven. The fabrics may be physically entangled by hydroentanglement.

The present invention relates to a biodegradable non-woven fabric, a method for producing a biodegradable non-woven fabric and a wipe or tissue. The biodegradable non-woven fabric comprises biodegradable fibers and pulp fibers. At least a part of the biodegradable fibers is entangled with each other. At least a part of the pulp fibers is covalently bonded to each other by at least one of the group consisting of a biodegradable binder, a biodegradable wet-strength agent and a biodegradable binder fiber.

In order to provide a gas diffusion electrode medium having high thermal conductivity despite having low density and excellent both in handleability and cell performance, provided is a gas diffusion electrode medium including carbon fiber felt including carbon fibers having an average fiber diameter of 5 to 20 μm, wherein at least a part of the carbon fibers that constitute the carbon fiber felt have a flat part in which, in a plane view of a surface of the carbon fiber felt, a maximum value of a fiber diameter is observed to be 10 to 50% larger than the average fiber diameter, and a frequency of the flat parts at the surface of the carbon fiber felt is 50 to 200/mm.sup.2.

In order to provide a gas diffusion electrode medium having high thermal conductivity despite having low density and excellent both in handleability and cell performance, provided is a gas diffusion electrode medium including carbon fiber felt including carbon fibers having an average fiber diameter of 5 to 20 μm, wherein at least a part of the carbon fibers that constitute the carbon fiber felt have a flat part in which, in a plane view of a surface of the carbon fiber felt, a maximum value of a fiber diameter is observed to be 10 to 50% larger than the average fiber diameter, and a frequency of the flat parts at the surface of the carbon fiber felt is 50 to 200/mm.sup.2.

A pouched product adapted for release of a water-soluble component therefrom is provided herein. The pouched product can include an outer water-permeable pouch defining a cavity containing a composition that includes a water-soluble component capable of being released through the water-permeable pouch and has a surface area, wherein the outer water-permeable pouch can include a nonwoven web including a plurality of heat sealable binder fibers blended with a second plurality of dissimilar fibers. The nonwoven web can be carded, hydroentangled and point bonded.

A pouched product adapted for release of a water-soluble component therefrom is provided herein. The pouched product can include an outer water-permeable pouch defining a cavity containing a composition that includes a water-soluble component capable of being released through the water-permeable pouch and has a surface area, wherein the outer water-permeable pouch can include a nonwoven web including a plurality of heat sealable binder fibers blended with a second plurality of dissimilar fibers. The nonwoven web can be carded, hydroentangled and point bonded.

An absorbent article includes a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the first and second waist regions. The article also includes a chassis having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet; and an ear joined to the chassis. The ear includes a laminate formed from a nonwoven and an elastomeric material sandwiched between said first and second nonwovens. The laminate further includes a plurality of ultrasonic bonds.

A process for producing a deformed nonwoven is described. The process includes the steps of: adjusting a water content of a nonwoven such that the nonwoven has at least one area having a water content of at least about 12% by weight of the nonwoven in the area, and subjecting the nonwoven to a mechanical deformation process. The deformation process is a mechanical deformation of the nonwoven and dewatering of the nonwoven to obtain a deformed nonwoven.

Fabrics are provided that include mono-component staple fibers, a first group of split staple fibers comprising a first polymeric material, and a second group of split staple fibers comprising a second polymeric material that is different than the first polymeric material. The mono-component staple fibers, the first group of split staple fibers, and the second group of split staple fibers are physically entangled together to define a consolidated nonwoven. The fabrics may be physically entangled by hydroentanglement.