Preferential Bend Structure And Articles Containing Said Structure

Abstract

A preferential bend structure may have a first face and an opposing second face. The preferential bend structure may comprise at least a base layer and an auxiliary layer, wherein a first deforming force applied to the first face results in a first deflection and a second deforming force applied to the second face results in a second deflection which is equal to the first deflection, and wherein the second deforming force is not equal to the first deforming force.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A preferential bend structure having a first face and an opposing second face, said preferential bend structure comprising at least a base layer and an auxiliary layer, wherein a first deforming force applied to the first face results in a first deflection and a second deforming force applied to the second face results in a second deflection which is equal to the first deflection, and wherein the second deforming force is not equal to the first deforming force. 
     
     
         2 . The preferential bend structure of  claim 1  wherein the preferential bend structure exhibits a Percent Load Difference of about 10% or greater. 
     
     
         3 . The preferential bend structure of  claim 1  wherein the base layer comprises a base material selected from polymeric materials, films, foams, nonwoven webs, woven webs, cellulosic materials, metals, laminates thereof, and combinations thereof and wherein the auxiliary layer comprises an auxiliary material selected from polymeric materials, films, foams, nonwoven webs, woven webs, cellulosic materials, metals, laminates thereof, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The preferential bend structure of  claim 1  wherein the base layer and the auxiliary layer differ in geometry. 
     
     
         5 . The preferential bend structure of  claim 1  wherein the preferential bend structure further comprises an intermediate layer disposed between the base layer and the auxiliary layer. 
     
     
         6 . The preferential bend structure of  claim 5  wherein the intermediate layer comprises discontinuities or void regions. 
     
     
         7 . The preferential bend structure of  claim 6  wherein the void region has a width and a depth, wherein said width is approximately equal to or greater than the depth. 
     
     
         8 . The preferential bend structure of  claim 6  wherein the laminate comprises a first void region having a first void width and a first void depth and a second void region having a second void width and a second void depth, wherein the first void region and second void region differ in void width or void depth. 
     
     
         9 . A disposable absorbent article having first waist region, a second waist region opposed to the first waist region, a crotch region positioned between the first waist and the second waist region, a perimeter region, and a central region; said disposable absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between said backsheet and topsheet, and the preferential bend structure of  claim 1  disposed in a region selected from the first waist region, the second waist, the crotch region, the central region, the perimeter region, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A disposable absorbent article having a waist gasketing region adjacent a waist opening and a leg gasketing region adjacent a leg opening, said disposable absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between said backsheet and topsheet, and the preferential bend structure of  claim 1  disposed at least partially within the waist gasketing region or the leg gasketing region. 
     
     
         11 . A disposable absorbent article comprising an elasticized topsheet with a slit opening there through, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between said backsheet and elasticized topsheet, and the preferential bend structure of  claim 1  disposed on the elasticized topsheet. 
     
     
         12 . A disposable absorbent article having a body-facing surface; said disposable absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between said backsheet and topsheet, and a pair of barrier leg cuffs extending from the body-facing surface; wherein the barrier leg cuffs comprise the preferential bend structure of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A commercial good comprising the preferential bend structure of  claim 1  wherein the commercial good is a medical product, a wrap, an article of clothing, an absorbent article, or footwear. 
     
     
         14 . The preferential bend structure of  claim 1  wherein the structure has a first region and a second region, wherein said first region bends about a first axial line, and said second region bends about a second axial line. 
     
     
         15 . The preferential bend structure of  claim 14  wherein the first region and second region overlap.