Patent ID: 7258683

Claim:
An absorbent article comprising: a) a main body comprising: two transverse end edges; two longitudinal side edges; a liquid-permeable surface layer; an essentially liquid-tight backing layer; and an absorbent core located between the liquid-permeable surface layer and the essentially liquid-tight backing layer; and b) a plurality of side flaps, one side flap extending outside beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main body, wherein, each side flap is folded along a bending line and folded against the main body, wherein, the folded side flaps are detachably connected to the liquid-permeable surface layer of the main body in an area of the main body, wherein the side flaps are connected to the liquid-permeable surface of the main body layer by a mechanical connection that comprises a plurality of punctiform, dash-shaped, or line-shaped indentations brought about by indenting material from the side flaps into an underlying material of the liquid-permeable surface layer of the main body so that a permanent deformation of these materials is brought about in the punctiform, dash-shaped, or line-shaped indentations, and wherein a plurality of openings extend through the side flaps into the underlying material of the liquid-permeable surface layer of the main body; wherein when the side flaps are folded against the main body, within an area of the punctiform, dash-shaped, or line-shaped indentations, a material of the side flaps and the liquid-permeable surface layer of the main body being permanently deformed in an area along a periphery of each opening.