Fibrous web with reinforced marginal portions, method for making the same and absorbent article incorporating the same

A fibrous web, such as a nonwoven liquid-pervious fibrous web, has reinforced marginal portions and an unreinforced medial portion, the fibers of the reinforced marginal portions being at least partially thermally fused or embedded within a cured bonding medium. A process for forming reinforced marginal portions on a fibrous web includes the steps of passing said fibrous web through a pair of nip rollers having heated marginal surface portions and at least partially thermally fusing fibers of the marginal portions, but not the medial portion, of the fibrous web. Alternatively, the method comprises applying a curable medium to the marginal portions of the fibrous web, but not to the medial portion, and curing the curable medium to embed the fibers of the marginal portions within the cured medium. The fibrous web article of the invention may suitably be employed as a liquid-pervious topsheet in an article comprising a substantially liquid-impervious backsheet, such topsheet and an absorbent body disposed therebetween.