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 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 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 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: 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 packaged diaper (10), including a diaper (12), having a first, a nominal size, and a second, reduced size, the reduced size of the diaper being convenient for carriage and storage of the diaper. The diaper is disposed in an encasement (14) in the second, reduced size. The encasement confines the diaper so that the diaper is retained in its reduced size by the encasement and so that the diaper is returned to its nominal size upon opening of the encasement.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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 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 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 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 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.