Patent ID: 7223261

Claim:
An absorbent article comprising: a topsheet and a backsheet joined together and forming a first waist region, a second waist region, a crotch region interposed between the waist regions, and a void space between the topsheet and the backsheet for receiving bodily exudates, the absorbent article having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, wherein the topsheet has a slit opening providing access into the void space, the slit opening being positioned in at least the crotch region, extending along the longitudinal axis, and having longitudinally extending laterally opposing side edges, the topsheet also having longitudinally extending laterally opposing elasticated regions disposed along the respective side edges of the slit opening, the elasticated regions being laterally spaced apart a least distance in the crotch region and diverging laterally toward each of the waist regions, thereby forming an X-shape, the slit opening having an irregular hexagonal shape including longitudinally opposing triangular portions, where the side edges of the slit opening converge together to form longitudinally opposing first and second end edges of the slit opening having the forms of points where the side edges meet, and a rectangular portion connecting the triangular portions, the side edges being substantially parallel to each other in the rectangular portion.