Vacuum-packaged diaper apparatus and methods

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.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for vacuum-packaging a single disposable diaper to yield a single individually packaged disposable diaper that is compact and portable, comprising the steps of:
 (a) compressing the disposable diaper from a first condition to a second, compressed condition such that each of at least two dimensions of the disposable diaper is reduced, and such that at least one of the reduced dimensions is reduced by at least 30%, said step of compressing being performed without folding of the disposable diaper and without rolling of the disposable diaper; and   (b) retaining the disposable diaper in the second, compressed condition by,
 (i) locating the diaper in an interior space defined by a substantially flexible material, 
 (ii) creating a negative pressure within the interior space, and 
 (iii) hermetically sealing the diaper at the negative pressure within the interior space of the flexible material such that a pressure differential acts upon the flexible material to maintain the diaper in the compressed condition; 
   (c) wherein the disposable diaper is the only diaper located within the interior space of the flexible material.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the flexible material comprises a thermoplastic shrink-wrap material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, prior to said step (a) of compressing the disposable diaper, reconfiguring the diaper. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said step of reconfiguring the disposable diaper includes folding the diaper. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said step of folding includes forming three widthwise folds in the disposable diaper. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said three widthwise folds are about evenly spaced along a length of the diaper between opposed ends of the diaper. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said step of reconfiguring the disposable diaper includes rolling the diaper such that the disposable diaper is cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said step (a) of compressing the disposable diaper includes reducing each of height, width, and length dimensions of the disposable diaper. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said step (a) of compressing the disposable diaper includes reducing each of width, thickness, and diameter dimensions of the disposable diaper. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said step (a) of compressing the disposable diaper includes compressing the diaper such that a volume of the diaper is reduced by at least 30%. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said step (a) of compressing the disposable diaper includes compressing the diaper such that a volume of the diaper is reduced by at least 50%. 
     
     
         27 - 162 . (canceled) 
     
     
         163 . A method of folding a disposable diaper for packaging, comprising 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. 
     
     
         164 . A method of packaging a diaper, comprising the steps of:
 (a) 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; and   (b) vacuum-packaging the diaper while disposed in the folded arrangement.   
     
     
         165 . The method of  claim 164 , wherein the vacuum-packaging of the diaper includes compressing the diaper such that a volume of the diaper is reduced by at least 30%. 
     
     
         166 . The method of  claim 164 , wherein the vacuum-packaging of the diaper includes compressing the diaper such that a volume of the diaper is reduced by at least 50%. 
     
     
         167 . The method of  claim 164 , wherein the vacuum-packaging of the diaper includes reducing a dimension of the folded diaper by at least 30%. 
     
     
         168 . The packaged compressible absorbent article of  claim 164 , wherein the compressible absorbent article consists of a disposable diaper dimensioned to fit a child. 
     
     
         169 . The packaged compressible absorbent article of  claim 164 , wherein the compressible absorbent article consists of a disposable diaper dimensioned to fit an adult. 
     
     
         170 . The packaged compressible absorbent article of  claim 164 , wherein the compressible absorbent article consists of training pants.