A fiber formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains a thermoplastic starch and an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester is provided. The copolyester enhances the strength of the starch-containing fibers and facilitates the ability of the starch to be melt processed. Due to its relatively low melting point, the copolyester may also be extruded with the thermoplastic starch at a temperature low enough to avoid substantial removal of the moisture in the starch. Furthermore, the copolyester is also modified with an alcohol to contain one or more hydroxyalkyl or alkyl terminal groups. By selectively controlling the conditions of the alcoholysis reaction (e.g., alcohol and copolymer concentrations, temperature, etc.), the resulting modified aliphatic-aromatic copolyester may have a relatively low molecular weight. Such low molecular weight polymers have the combination of a higher melt flow index and lower apparent viscosity, which is useful in a variety of fiber forming applications, such as meltblowing nonwoven webs.

Fibrous structures containing a mixture of three or more different fibrous elements (filaments and/or fibers) are provided.

Absorbent articles containing dark-tinted nonwoven webs are provided. The dark-tinted nonwoven web may include a first plurality of filaments having a diameter between a between about 8 m and about 50 m, wherein the first plurality of filaments includes a pigment. The dark-tinted nonwoven web may include a second plurality of filaments having a diameter between about 0.3 m and about 5 m. The first plurality of filaments and/or the second plurality of filaments may include crimped filaments. The dark-tinted nonwoven web may have a CIE L* value of between about 0 and about 25, as measured from a first side or a second side of the nonwoven web.

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.

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 fluid management layer is an integrated, carded, nonwoven disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The absorbent article exhibits an average stain size of less than about 2400 mm{circumflex over ()}2, when measured in accordance with the Stain Size test method.