02.18.03
An absorbent article oriented along X-, Y- and Z-axes, has been patented. The article features a liquid-permeable cover, a liquid-impermeable baffle an absorbent core with a length and a thickness and is positioned between the cover and the baffle. The core includes a first flexure axis, which extends longitudinally through a central portion of the core along the Y-axis. A channel extends along the first flexure axis, along the length of said absorbent core, and extending through at least about 3% up to no more than 99% of the thickness of said absorbent core, and wherein said channel forms a pocket for receiving body fluids in a direction of the Z-axis of said absorbent article to facilitate rapid absorption of such body fluids; (e) said absorbent core comprising first and second portions thereof extending laterally from the first flexure axis, along the X-axis, wherein each of said first and second portions has a longitudinally-extending outer boundary, said first portion having a second flexure axis which extends longitudinally along said absorbent core, said second portion having a third flexure axis which extends longitudinally along said absorbent core, the second and third flexure axes being spaced from the first flexure axis; and (f) in combination, a plurality of longitudinally spaced slits extending along the second and third flexure axes, and uncut portions of said absorbent core between respective ones of said slits, wherein ones of said slits on the second flexure axis are spaced from adjacent slits on the second flexure axis by distances of about 5 millimeters to about 35 millimeters whereby said first and second portions of said absorbent core comprise unslit regions thereof which extend from the first flexure axis to respective said longitudinally-extending outer boundaries of said first and second portions.