Patent ID: 6955666

Claim:
An absorbent article ( 40 ) comprising a fluid permeable cover ( 62 ), a liquid impermeable baffle ( 64 ) and an absorbent ( 66 ) situated between the cover and the baffle, the absorbent article being configured to provide a labial pad for disposition within the vestibule of a female wearer, the absorbent article further comprising a principal longitudinal axis, a principal transverse axis, a body-facing surface, a surface opposed to the body-facing surface, a length, a width, a thickness, first ( 76 ) and second ( 78 ) longitudinally spaced apart transverse end areas, first ( 80 ) and second ( 82 ) spaced apart longitudinal sides, the longitudinal sides ranging between the transverse end areas and collectively defining a periphery of the absorbent article, and at least one tab ( 94 ) extending outward from the periphery of each of said first and second transverse end areas ( 76 , 78 ); wherein said article is shorter along its principal transverse axis than along its principal longitudinal axis; said article is configured to be folded along an axis positioned parallel to said principal transverse axis prior to disposition within the vestibule of the female wearer, the folding providing a recess that protects the wearer's finger(s) from soiling when the article is disposed in the vestibule; said absorbent ( 66 ) has a maximum width (W max ) which is no greater than about 70 mm; said absorbent ( 66 ) has a maximum length (L max ) which is no greater than about 100 mm; each said tab ( 94 ) has a length (l) which is no greater than about 70 mm, and no greater than about 100% of the maximum width (W max ) of the absorbent ( 66 ); each said tab ( 94 ) has a width (w) which is no greater than about 50 mm; and each said tab thereby has sufficient dimensions to allow a user to grasp the tabs and fold said article along the principal transverse axis prior to disposition within the vestibule of the female wearer.