Apparatuses and methods for manufacturing absorbent structures including flexible masking media

A method of manufacturing a fibrous web, the method comprising:

• moving a foraminous forming member in a machine direction, the foraminous forming member having a forming surface and at least one masking media disposed on the forming surface and covering portions of the forming surface and leaving portions of the forming surface uncovered, side portions of the at least one masking media covering a portion of the foraminous forming member and inboard side edges of the at least one masking media defining at least one open area corresponding to uncovered portions of the forming surface;
• applying vacuum pressure along a portion of the foraminous forming member so as to draw air through the forming surface in a first direction, the at least one masking media substantially blocking the air from moving through the covered portions of the forming surface;
• depositing fibrous material onto the forming surface to form a fibrous web corresponding to the uncovered portions of the forming surface;
• and
• disengaging the formed fibrous web from the forming surface,
• wherein the at least one masking media is flexible such that the at least one masking media is sucked tight to the forming surface and forms direct contact with the forming surface along the portion of the forming surface where vacuum pressure is applied, thereby preventing the fibrous material from flowing between the at least one masking media and the forming surface.