Abstract: A thin absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, is disclosed which is designed to reduce leakage of body fluid during use. The absorbent article includes a liquid-permeable cover, a liquid-impermeable baffle and an absorbent positioned between the cover and the baffle. The absorbent article has a crush recovery value of at least about 15 mm, a wet load value of at least about 300 grams, a stress value of less than about 100 grams/mm, and a thickness of less than about 5 millimeters. An apparatus for measuring the crush recovery an absorbent article is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for measuring the crush recovery of an absorbent article. The apparatus includes a tester having first and second arms, at least one of which is movable. The apparatus also includes a first frame member attached at one end to the first arm of the tester. The first frame member has a shoulder with a first wand extending outwardly therefrom. The apparatus further includes a second frame member attached at one end to the second arm of the tester. The second frame member has a shoulder with a second wand extending outwardly therefrom. The first and second frame members are interleaved such that the first and second wands are spaced apart to enable an absorbent article to be positioned therebetween. Movement of the first frame member relative to the second frame member causes the absorbent article to be crushed in a sideways direction between the shoulders.