Abstract: Vacuum packed absorbent articles including diapers, kits thereof, and retail packages including vacuum packed and non vacuum packed absorbent articles are disclosed.

Abstract: Vacuum packed absorbent articles including diapers, kits thereof, and retail packages including vacuum packed and non vacuum packed absorbent articles are disclosed.

Abstract: Vacuum packed absorbent articles including diapers, kits thereof, and retail packages including vacuum packed and non vacuum packed absorbent articles are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of disguisedly packaging an absorbent article includes the steps of: volumetrically reducing an absorbent article such that the volume of the absorbent article is less than a nominal volume of the absorbent article; and disposing the volumetrically reduced absorbent article within a package. The package includes a deceptive size and outward appearance such that it is not visually evident that an absorbent article is disposed therein. Indeed, the size of the package is substantially smaller than the nominal size of the absorbent article, whereby the size of the package contributes to the deceptive outward appearance of the package.

Abstract: A method of disguisedly packaging a diaper includes: disposing a diaper within a substantially air impermeable encasement; creating a vacuum state within an interior space defined by the encasement; and sealing the encasement such that the diaper is completely enclosed within the interior space of the sealed encasement, thereby vacuum-sealing the diaper within the encasement. The encasement includes a deceptive outward appearance such that it is not visually evident that a diaper is disposed therein. Alternatively, the encasement is disposed within a second encasement, and the second encasement includes a deceptive outward appearance such that it is not visually evident that a diaper is disposed therein.

Abstract: A method of miniaturizing a diaper includes transitioning a diaper by folding the diaper such that the width of the diaper is reduced and side elastic banded edges of the diaper are folded inward, and such that the length of the diaper is reduced generally by at least 50%. A height of the diaper is thereby increased, and a central portion of an exterior surface of the diaper is visible and the remainder of the exterior surface of the diaper is hidden from view within the folds. The method further includes reducing the height of the folded diaper by compressing the diaper. The diaper then is vacuum-sealed within an encasement having an interior volume that closely corresponds to the volume of the folded diaper. The vacuum-sealing compresses the diaper to a firm and dense state in which a central portion of the exterior surface of the diaper is hard.

Abstract: A method of making a diaper kit includes folding a diaper such that the width of the diaper is reduced and side elastic banded edges of the diaper are folded inward, and such that the length of the diaper is reduced generally by at least 50%. A height of the diaper is thereby increased, and a central portion of an exterior surface of the diaper is visible and the remainder of the exterior surface of the diaper is hidden from view within the folds. The method also includes compressing the diaper to reduce the height of the folded diaper. The diaper then is vacuum-sealed, together with a diaper accessory, within an encasement having an interior volume that closely corresponds to the folded diaper volume. The vacuum-sealing compresses the diaper to a firm and dense state in which a central portion of the exterior surface of the diaper is hard.

Abstract: A diaper is folded such that a width of the diaper is reduced and side elastic banded edges of the diaper are folded inward, and such that a length of the diaper is reduced generally by at least 50%. A height of the diaper is thereby increased, and a central portion of an exterior surface of the diaper is visible and the remainder of the exterior surface is hidden from view within the folds. The method also includes compressing the diaper to reduce the height of the folded diaper. The diaper then is vacuum-sealed within an encasement having an interior volume that closely corresponds to the folded diaper volume, and the diaper is compressed to a firm and dense state in which the exterior surface is hard. The resulting miniaturized diaper and a diaper accessory are combined in respective compartments of a container to form a diaper kit.

Abstract: A diaper is folded about lengthwise foldlines between side elastic banded edges and is folded along a widthwise foldline such that the diaper length is reduced by at least 50%. A central portion of the diaper is visible and the remainder thereof is hidden from view within the folds. Thereafter, a height of the folded diaper is reduced by compressing the diaper with opposed surfaces of a press and the diaper is sealed within an encasement having an interior volume that closely corresponds to the diaper. Sealing is done under a vacuum sufficient to result in further compression of the diaper to a very firm and dense state in which the surface of the diaper is hard. The vacuum-sealed diaper is packaged with a diaper accessory with the diaper and accessory located within separate interior spaces isolated by an air impermeable material such that a pressure differential may exist therebetween.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing absorbent articles includes at least one compartment for storing products for individual dispensing in response to selection by a consumer; and a plurality of products disposed within the at least one compartment for individually dispensing thereof to consumers. Each of the plurality of products disposed within the at least one compartment includes therein a volumetrically reduced absorbent article. Furthermore, a size of the product may be substantially smaller than a size of the absorbent article itself when not volumetrically reduced. The volumetrically reduced absorbent article may comprise a vacuum-packed diaper.

Abstract: A diaper is packed by being vacuum-sealed within a vacuum chamber. The method includes: (a) disposing a compressible absorbent diaper within an interior space defined by a flexible substantially air impermeable encasement within a chamber, the chamber for creating a vacuum state and sealing the encasement disposed within the chamber; (b) creating a vacuum state within the chamber and the interior space defined by the encasement; (c) sealing the encasement within the chamber such that the interior space of the substantially air impermeable encasement is completely sealed, and such that the compressible absorbent diaper is completely enclosed within the sealed interior space; and (d) pressing at least a portion of the compressible absorbent diaper with a smooth surface to flatten a face of the diaper.

Abstract: A method of packaging a diaper for an aesthetically pleasing appearance to a consumer includes: disposing a compressible absorbent diaper within a flexible substantially air impermeable encasement; creating a vacuum state within an interior space defined by the encasement; sealing the encasement such that the interior space of the substantially air impermeable encasement is completely sealed, and such that the compressible absorbent diaper is completely enclosed within the sealed interior space; and pressing the encasement containing the diaper with a smooth surface such that the encasement includes a substantially smooth planar face. The pressing of the encasement occurs after vacuum-sealing of the diaper.

Abstract: A method of packaging a diaper includes: disposing a compressible absorbent diaper within a flexible substantially air impermeable encasement; creating a vacuum state within an interior space defined by the encasement; sealing the encasement such that the interior space of the substantially air impermeable encasement is completely sealed, and such that the compressible absorbent diaper is completely enclosed within the sealed interior space; and pressing at least a portion of the compressible absorbent diaper with a smooth surface. Pressing may occur before vacuum-packing, after vacuum-packing, during vacuum-packing, or both before and after vacuum-packing.

Abstract: An infant care kit includes a vacuum-packed diaper disposed within an infant feeding apparatus. The infant feeding apparatus may include a baby bottle. A diaper accessory, packaged portion of infant food, and heat source further may he disposed therein with the vacuum-packed diaper.

Abstract: An infant care kit includes a diaper and an infant feeding assembly having a hollow body and a food delivery device. The diaper is located within the hollow body of the infant feeding assembly. The infant feeding assembly may be a baby bottle with a nipple that is removably coupled to the hollow body. A plurality of diaper accessories may be located with the diaper within the hollow body of the infant feeding assembly. A packaged portion of infant food also may be located within the hollow body of the baby bottle. The diaper may be vacuum-packed.

Abstract: A portable set of compact absorbent articles includes a carrier including at least one compartment, and at least one container received within the compartment of the carrier. Each container includes therein an absorbent article that is individually vacuum-packaged. A container may be rectangular in shape, and a compartment of the carrier may be rectangular in shape.

Abstract: A method of individually packaging a diaper, comprising vacuum-packaging a diaper such that the diaper is compressed and retained in the compressed condition, the diaper being disposed in a normal condition in which the diaper is unstressed and uncompressed at the time that the diaper is vacuum-packaged. The diaper is vacuum-packaged within an interior space of a substantially flexible, substantially air impermeable packaging material and is the only diaper contained within an interior space of the packaging material. Vacuum-packaging includes locating the diaper within an interior space of the packaging material, creating a negative pressure within the interior space, and hermetically sealing the diaper within the interior space at the negative pressure.

Abstract: A packaged absorbent article is vacuum-packaged to be compact and portable. The packaged absorbent article is dimensioned to fit within the pocket of an article of clothing to be worn on one's person. The vacuum-packaged absorbent article includes packaging made from a substantially flexible, substantially air impermeable material; and an absorbent article contained within said packaging in a compressed condition. The packaging is hermetically sealed and a negative pressure exists within said packaging such that said diaper is maintained in the compressed condition.

Abstract: A method of individually packaging a diaper includes reconfiguring a diaper from a first configuration to a second configuration; and compressing the diaper to, and retaining the diaper in, a compressed condition by vacuum-packaging of the reconfigured diaper. Vacuum-packaging of the reconfigured diaper includes the steps of locating the diaper in an interior space of a substantially flexible material, creating a negative pressure within the interior space, and hermetically sealing the diaper at the negative pressure in the interior space of the flexible material. The packaged diaper may be the only diaper contained within the interior space of the flexible material. The diaper also may be packaged such that the packaged diaper is dimensioned to fit within a pocket of an article of clothing on one's person.

Abstract: A method of packaging a diaper includes vacuum-packaging a diaper such that the diaper is compressed and retained in the compressed condition, and such that the packaged diaper is dimensioned to fit within the pocket of an article of clothing to be worn on one's person. The diaper is vacuum-packaged within an interior space of a substantially flexible, substantially air impermeable packaging material and may be the only diaper contained within an interior space of the packaging material.