Patent ID: 7115116

Claim:
An absorbent article having a longitudinal x-axis configured to lie along a vertical plane that generally bisects a standing female wearer, a transverse y-axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal x-axis, and a z-axis which is vertical when the x and y axes are horizontal, the absorbent article configured to provide a labial pad for disposition within the vestibule of a female wearer, the vestibule having a floor, the absorbent article comprising a fluid permeable cover, a liquid impermeable baffle and an absorbent situated between the cover and baffle, the absorbent having an upper surface, the upper surface having located thereon a slit which provides at least one fluid intake enhancement means; wherein the absorbent has a maximum width of no greater than about 70 mm, a maximum length of no greater than about 100 mm and a maximum z-axis thickness of no greater than about 10 mm, when measured along a line parallel to the z-axis; the slit extends through at least about 50 percent of the z-axis thickness of the absorbent; and the slit is configured to provide an increased surface area of the absorbent to allow bodily fluids to be more rapidly absorbed into the absorbent when the absorbent article is folded along an axis lying on or parallel to a principal longitudinal axis (L) for disposition within the vestibule of the wearer.