Abstract: A packaged diaper that is compact and portable comprises a diaper that is vacuum-packaged. The packaged diaper is dimensioned to fit within the pocket of an article of clothing to be worn on one's person. The vacuum-packaged diaper includes packaging made from a substantially flexible, substantially air impermeable material; and a diaper 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 set of compact absorbent articles includes a packaging including a plurality of compartments and a plurality of absorbent articles each individually vacuum sealed within a respective compartment in a compressed condition. The packaging may include seams extending between each of the compartments whereby a vacuum sealed absorbent article may be separated from the other absorbent articles of the packaging. The seams may includes a line of perforations in a material of the packaging. The packaging also may be is substantially flexible such that the packaging may be folded back upon itself.

Abstract: A method of folding a disposable diaper for packaging includes folding the diaper along three fold lines, each fold line generally extending in a transverse direction, wherein the diaper is folded such that the diaper is disposed in a generally “M” shaped folded arrangement with a first transverse end edge of the diaper being disposed on the same side of the diaper as a second transverse end edge of the diaper. The diaper is vacuum-packaged while disposed in the folded arrangement.

Abstract: A method of traveling with a disposable diaper on one's person includes: first, vacuum-packaging a disposable diaper such that the vacuum-packaged diaper is dimensioned to fit within a pocket of an article of clothing on one's person and, thereafter, placing said vacuum-packaged diaper in a pocket of an article of clothing on one's person, and traveling with said disposed packaged diaper in the pocket of the article of clothing on one's person. The vacuum-packaged diaper includes a packaging made from a substantially flexible material and a disposable diaper contained within the packaging in a compressed condition. The packaging is hermetically sealed at negative pressure such that a pressure differential acts upon the packaging to maintain the diaper in the compressed condition when the packaged diaper is carried in the pocket.

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 package containing a compressed, single, unused absorbent article. The absorbent article is folded in accordion fashion resulting in an “M” or “W” configuration. The absorbent article may comprise a diaper.

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 toy for a child serves as a container for storing a volumetrically reduced diaper. The toy includes an interior compartment in which the volumetrically reduced diaper is disposed. The toy has an outward appearance such that it is not evident that said toy contains a diaper. Furthermore, the compartment has a size and configuration that corresponds to a size and configuration of the volumetrically reduced diaper such that the volumetrically reduced diaper completely fits within and consumes the space of the interior compartment. The size of the toy also may be substantially smaller than a nominal size of the diaper disposed therein. Preferably, the diaper is vacuum-packed.

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 folding a disposable absorbent article, such as a wipe, includes forming a number, greater than two, of folds in an accordion-like manner, the folds being spaced between opposing end edges. The absorbent article may be attached to other similarly disposed absorbent articles having a line of weakness extending between each pair of adjacent absorbent articles. The accordion folded absorbent articles can be rolled into a toroidal configuration for disposition within a cylindrical container, such as a cylindrical vacuum-packed diaper kit.

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: A disguisedly packaged diaper includes a package containing a vacuum-packed diaper. The package includes a deceptive outward appearance such that it is not evident that a diaper is disposed therein.

Abstract: A method of packaging a diaper includes the steps of: disposing a diaper within a flexible substantially air impermeable encasement within a vacuum chamber; creating a vacuum state within an interior space defined by the encasement by creating a vacuum state within the vacuum chamber; and 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. A pressure within the encasement when sealed is substantially equal to a pressure within the vacuum chamber exterior to the encasement.

Abstract: A single disposable absorbent article is vacuum-packed in an interior space of an air impermeable encasement. The encasement includes a sheet of material having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a portion of the sheet of material being transparent and defining a viewing region. The single disposable absorbent article is disposed in a folded configuration within the encasement and includes a graphic disposed on an outer surface thereof. Moreover, the single disposable absorbent article is folded and disposed in the encasement in a configuration such that at least a portion of the graphic is viewable through the transparent portion of the encasement.

Abstract: A packaged diaper includes a compressible absorbent diaper having a reduced configuration and an encasement in which the diaper is disposed in the reduced configuration. The diaper further includes indicia that is viewable when the diaper is in the reduced configuration. The encasement has at least a portion thereof that is substantially transparent for viewing of the diaper therein, and the diaper is arranged in the encasement such that the indicia of the diaper is viewable through the transparent portion of the encasement. In a first reduced configuration that is generally rectangular, the diaper includes a length between about 2 inches to about 4 inches, a width between about 1.0 inch to about 2.5 inches, and a thickness between about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches. In another configuration that is generally cylindrical, the diaper includes a diameter between about 0.5 inches to about 1.5 inches and a length between about 2 inches to about 4 inches.

Abstract: A packaged diaper includes an encasement completely enclosing an interior space and a compressible absorbent diaper folded and disposed within the interior space. The encasement has at least a portion thereof that is substantially transparent for viewing of the diaper within the encasement. The diaper includes indicia, and the diaper is arranged and configured within the encasement whereby the indicia of the diaper is viewable through the encasement.

Abstract: A vacuum-packed diaper includes a sealed substantially air impermeable encasement completely enclosing an interior space and a compressible absorbent diaper vacuum-sealed within the interior space. The encasement has at least a portion thereof that is substantially transparent for viewing of the diaper within the encasement. The diaper includes indicia, and the diaper is arranged and configured within the encasement whereby the indicia of the diaper is viewable through the encasement.

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; (b) positioning the 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 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 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 disguisedly packaged absorbent article includes a package in which a volumetrically reduced absorbent article is disposed. The package includes a deceptive outward appearance such that it is not evident that an absorbent article is disposed therein. A size of the package is substantially smaller than a nominal size of the absorbent article, whereby the size of the package contributes to the deceptive outward appearance of the package. A shape and indicia of the package also may contribute to the deceptive outward appearance of the package.