Absorbent composite, an absorbent article employing the same, and methods, systems, and apparatus for making the absorbent composite and/or article

A method of making an absorbent composite for incorporation into a disposable absorbent garment, said method comprising:

• deforming a surface of a first sheet of a first nonwoven layer to form laterally elongatable surface discontinuities;
• conveying the first sheet of the first nonwoven layer;
• wherein said deforming of the surface is performed prior to said conveying said first sheet;
• combining the first sheet with a second sheet of a second nonwoven layer;
• positioning absorbent particles between the first and second sheets, thereby forming a composite including said first and second sheets sandwiching said absorbent particles therebetween;
• wherein said positioning of the absorbent particles includes depositing the absorbent particles on said first sheet;
• wherein said combining the first and second sheets includes applying the second sheet of the second nonwoven layer over the deposited absorbent particles and first sheet, thereby forming the composite including said first and second sheets sandwiching the absorbent particles therebetween;
• bonding said first and second sheets to secure, at least partially, said absorbent particles therebetween;
• wherein said surface discontinuities are at least partially removed in an expanded configuration such that said first sheet is at least partially laterally elongated in said expanded configuration.