Fibrous Structures

Abstract

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

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for making a fibrous structure, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a plurality of first fibrous elements;   b. providing a plurality of second fibrous elements different from the plurality of first fibrous elements;   c. providing a plurality of third fibrous elements different from the plurality of first fibrous elements and the plurality of second fibrous elements;   d. associating the plurality of first fibrous elements, the plurality of second fibrous elements, and the plurality of third fibrous elements to form a fibrous structure.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of first fibrous elements is produced from a first source. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein the first source comprises a die. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein the die comprises a meltblow die. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of second fibrous elements is produced from a second source. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5  wherein the second source comprises a hammermill. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of third fibrous elements is produced from a third source. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein the third source comprises a die. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the die comprises a meltblow die. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises the step of subjecting the fibrous structure to a post-processing operation. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the post-processing operation is selected from the group consisting of: thermal bonding, embossing, surface treating, perforating, tuft generating process, folding, printing and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the fibrous structure comprises a non-wet laid fibrous structure. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the fibrous structure comprises a layered fibrous structure. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein the layered fibrous structure comprises at least three layers. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein at least one of the at least three layers comprises the plurality of first fibrous elements. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein at least one of the at least three layers comprises the plurality of second fibrous elements. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein at least one of the at least three layers comprises the plurality of third fibrous elements. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the at least three layers comprises a first layer comprising the plurality of first fibrous elements, a second layer comprising the plurality of second fibrous elements and a third layer comprising the plurality of third fibrous elements. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of first fibrous elements comprises filaments. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of second fibrous elements comprises fibers.