Patent ID: 6482191
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A wearable article having a longitudinal axis, a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region interposed therebetween, the wearable article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the topsheet comprising:an elongate slit opening providing a passageway to a primary void space for receiving bodily exudates therein; the elongate slit opening is disposed in the crotch region along the longitudinal axis having a first end oriented towards the first waist region and a second end oriented towards the second waist region; the elongate slit opening including longitudinally opposing side edges having elasticated regions disposed along at least a portion of each of the side edges to maintain longitudinal and lateral alignment and Z-direction proximity of the slit opening with a point of discharge on the wearer, the elasticated regions containing stored elastic energy producing tensile forces which are distributed laterally away from the slit opening.