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: 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: 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 and system for settling a transaction with trade credit value which makes use of computer hardware and software, allows Members of a trade credit settlement system to transfer electronic instruments, called trade credits, in exchange for goods and services. These trade credits are effectively electronic bills of exchange that are divisible, transferable, discountable, continuously available and have been credit-enhanced to A1/P1 status. Sponsors facilitate the system by registering buyers and suppliers as Members in the system and offering them operational accounts and drawdown accounts with authorized lines of credit. A Member-buyer approves the purchase invoice of a Member-supplier and authorizes the Sponsor to transfer trade credit value from the Member-buyer's operational and/or drawdown account into the operational account of the Member-supplier.

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 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: A networked digital security system is disclosed that preferably includes a centralized administrator web server coupled via a communication network such as the Internet to a plurality of customer servers and-a plurality of customer work stations. The centralized web server advantageously provides a point of control and management of the networked digital security system. The customer servers and customer work stations are preferably located at the customer's monitored sites. The customer servers are coupled to one or more intelligent camera units, which are preferably fully integrated intelligent units that gather, analyze, and transmit video, audio, and associated detected alarm event information to their associated customer server and the administrator web server. The camera units also include an intelligent automatic gain controller, an encoder buffer controller, and a network bandwidth priority controller. The system supports several compression algorithm standards.

Abstract: The invention contemplates an apparatus for communication among users through a network of central computers and user workstations. An individual marketplace system consists of one or more central computers and a plurality of user workstations, wherein an individual marketplace involves a particular industry or other topic of interest. Users of the system are consumers, suppliers, and organizations or servicers who are linked to the network through their respective workstations. Each marketplace system is operated by a sponsor and their agents who determine whether the marketplace system is open or closed with regard to who may use their respective marketplace system. Message switching/distribution centers facilitate communications within an individual marketplace system, but users of one marketplace system may communicate with other marketplace systems. The communications of users comprise messages, transactions, etc. between users, with such communications consisting of data.

Abstract: A networked digital security system is disclosed that preferably includes a centralized administrator web server coupled via a communication network such as the Internet to a plurality of customer servers and a plurality of customer work stations. The centralized web server advantageously provides a point of control and management of the networked digital security system. The customer servers and customer work stations are preferably located at the customer's monitored sites. The customer servers are coupled to one or more intelligent camera units, which are preferably fully integrated intelligent units that gather, analyze, and transmit video, audio, and associated detected alarm event information to their associated customer server and the administrator web server. The camera units also include an intelligent automatic gain controller, an encoder buffer controller, and a network bandwidth priority controller. The system supports several compression algorithm standards.