01.14.03
Patented is an absorbent article. The article contains a front and a rear end part and an intermediate crotch part placed between the wearer’s thighs. The article features longitudinally extending edge regions with longitudinally and transversely extending edges, a bottom liquid-impermeable sheet and an absorbent sheet or layer. Longitudinally extending liquid barriers are fastened along or at the article’s longitudinally extending edge regions and includes a free stretchable edge, which is puckered or gathered at its center part. Side flaps extend laterally outward from the liquid barriers and have longitudinally extending elastic elements along the free stretchable edges in the crotch part. The elastic elements serve as a leg elastic when the article is worn and a first upper, essentially liquid-permeable surface sheet is contained between the liquid barriers, while a second upper, liquid-impermeable surface sheet outwardly of the liquid barriers. The ends of the liquid barriers are folded down at the front or the rear end part and fastened flat against portions of the first or second surface sheet. The portions, down to the absorbent layer extending beneath the portions, are permeable to liquid. The downwardly folded ends of the liquid barriers are permeable to liquid and center parts while the liquid barriers between the folded ends are liquid impermeable.