Absorbent articles comprising molded airlaid webs and other molded fibrous
webs are disclosed. The molded webs can offer improved body fit, comfort,
and/or improved fluid handling. Molded airlaid webs, for example, can be
formed having a central longitudinal hump and flexure zones longitudinally
removed from the central hump to provide good contact with the body and
improved fit when the article is squeezed from the sides. Molding can be
achieved when a binder material is activated by an energy source and the
web is held against a molding substrate. Energy sources can include
microwaves, heated air, heated metal surfaces, ultraviolet radiation,
ultrasonic energy, and the like.