Patent ID: 6160197
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An absorbent article oriented along X-, Y-, and Z-axes, said absorbent article comprising:a liquid permeable cover;a liquid impermeable baffle; andan absorbent core having a predetermined length along said Y-axis and a predetermined thickness along said Z-axis, wherein said absorbent core is positioned between said cover and said baffle, and wherein said absorbent core includes a first flexure axis which is vertically oriented along said Y-axis and which runs longitudinally through a central portion of said absorbent core, said central portion comprising a relatively lower density region of said absorbent core, extending alone and outwardly from the y-axis toward a relatively higher density region of said absorbent core, said relatively lower density region having a density of from about 20 percent to about 75 percent of the density of the relatively higher density region;at least one slit in said absorbent core along said first flexure axis, wherein said at least one slit extends along said predetermined length of said absorbent core, and extends through at least about 3% up to no more than 99% of said predetermined thickness of said absorbent core, and wherein said at least one slit forms a pocket for receiving body fluids in a direction of said Z-axis of said absorbent article to allow for rapid absorption of such body fluids;said absorbent core comprising first and second portions thereof extending from the first flexure axis, wherein said first portion has a second flexure axis which runs longitudinally along said absorbent core, and wherein said second portion has a third flexure axis which runs longitudinally along said absorbent core, said second and third flexure axes being positioned laterally adjacent and spaced from said first flexure axis, whereby said first, second, and third flexural axes allow said absorbent core to preferentially bend upwardly, in a convex configuration toward said cover, when said absorbent core is subjected to lateral compressive forces, substantially forming an inverted V-shaped configuration.