An assembled intermediate is described comprising a fluid transport element proximate an absorbent material is described. The fluid transport element comprises a thermoplastic nonwoven web comprising a plurality of bonded staple fibers having an average diameter of 20 to 500 microns, a thickness of at least 3, and a density ranging from 0.01 to 0.10 g/cm.sup.3. Also described are articles comprising such assembled intermediate.

Disclosed is a liquid removal drypad and liquid removal system suitable for absorbing and removing liquid produced by an individual. The drypad can include one or more perforated conduits arranged with an absorbent material. A source of reduced pressure can be connected to the one or more perforated conduits to remove liquid from the drypad. The drypad can be positioned under a patient and liquid produced by the individual can be removed by applying reduced pressure to the drypad. The drypad can be made by combining one or more conduits with an absorbent material.

A textile for use as a reusable pad, e.g., a reusable incontinence pad, is provided that is intended to wick and retain moisture or liquid(s), such as bodily fluids (e.g., urine, blood, etc.), away from users of their incontinence pad. Moisture or liquid deposited on an upper surface of the incontinence pad is wicked through one or more layers of material included in the incontinence pad via an increasing capillary gradient using capillary forces. The incontinence pad relies on capillary forces to drive moisture from the incontinent person into the inner layer(s) of the incontinence pad, and leaving a top layer of the incontinence pad dry to the touch. A gradient of capillary size can be present in the incontinence pad in a direction away from the incontinent person, which accordingly encourages liquid to migrate away from the incontinent person and be desirably retained therein.

A disposable absorbent article is described. The disposable absorbent article has a topsheet that is a carded, air-through bonded, nonwoven; a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and an integrated nonwoven fluid management layer disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The integrated nonwoven fluid management layer has a basis weight in a range of from 40 gsm to 75 gsm as determined by the Basis Weight method, 10 percent to about 60 percent by weight of absorbent fibers, from between about 15 percent to about 70 percent of resilient fibers, and from between about 25 percent to about 70 percent stiffening fibers as determined by the Material Composition Analysis. The absorbent article exhibits an average acquisition speed in a first gush of between about 10 seconds to about 40 seconds, when measured in accordance with the Repetitive Acquisition and Rewet method.

A method is provided for forming a plurality of apertures in a nonwoven substrate for an absorbent article, the substrate defining a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of conical-shaped pins is inserted through the substrate from the first surface to the second surface to form a plurality of corresponding apertures in the substrate.