Nonwoven, sheet for absorbent article, and absorbent article using the same

A method for manufacturing a nonwoven comprising:

• forming a first fibrous web comprising a first core/sheath composite fiber having three-dimensional crimp, wherein a sheath component of the first core/sheath composite fiber comprises linear low density polyethylene, a core component of the first core/sheath composite fiber comprises thermoplastic resin having a melting point of at least about 20° C. higher than a melting point of the linear low density polyethylene, and the center of gravity of the core component is offset from the center of gravity of the fiber;
• forming a second fibrous web comprising a second core/sheath composite fiber having three-dimensional crimp, wherein a sheath component of the second core/sheath composite fiber comprises high density polyethylene, a core component of the second core/sheath composite fiber comprises thermoplastic resin having a melting point of at least about 20° C. higher than a melting point of the high density polyethylene, and the center of gravity of the core component is offset from the center of gravity of the fiber;
• forming a complex fibrous web by laminating the first fibrous web and the second fibrous web;
• and
• subjecting the complex fibrous web to thermal treatment in order to thermally bond at least a portion of the fibers via the sheath components of the first core/sheath composite fiber and the second core/sheath composite fiber.

An absorbent article comprising

• a topsheet;
• and
• a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet,
• wherein the topsheet comprises nonwoven comprising
• a first fiber layer comprising a first core/sheath composite fiber having three-dimensional crimp, wherein a sheath component of the first core/sheath composite fiber comprises linear low density polyethylene, a core component of the first core/sheath composite fiber comprises thermoplastic resin having a melting point of at least about 20° C. higher than a melting point of the linear low density polyethylene, and the center of gravity of the core component is offset from the center of gravity of the fiber;
• a second fiber layer comprising a second core/sheath composite fiber having three-dimensional crimp, wherein a sheath component of the second core/sheath composite fiber comprises high density polyethylene, a core component of the second core/sheath composite fiber comprises thermoplastic resin having a melting point of at least about 20° C. higher than a melting point of the high density polyethylene, and the center of gravity of the core component is offset from the center of gravity of the fiber;
• wherein at least a portion of the first and the second core/sheath composite fibers is thermally bonded via the sheath components of the first and the second core/sheath composite fibers.