VACUUM-SEALING DIAPER IN VACUUM CHAMBER
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.
1 . A method of packaging a diaper, comprising the steps of:
(a) disposing a diaper within a flexible substantially air impermeable encasement within a vacuum chamber;
(b) creating a vacuum state within an interior space defined by the encasement by creating a vacuum state within the vacuum chamber; and
(c) sealing the encasement such that,
(i) the interior space of the substantially air impermeable encasement is completely sealed, and
(ii) the compressible absorbent diaper is completely enclosed within the sealed interior space;
(d) wherein a pressure within the encasement when sealed is substantially equal to a pressure within the vacuum chamber exterior to the encasement.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum chamber is part of a vacuum-sealing machine.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pressure is less than 10 millibars.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pressure within the encasement when sealed is less than 20 millibars.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pressure within the encasement when sealed is between about 5 millibars and about 1 millibar.
6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the diaper is the only diaper disposed within the sealed interior space of the encasement.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the diaper disposed within the encasement comprises an unused disposable diaper.
8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the encasement comprises at least a portion thereof that is transparent such that the diaper is viewable through the encasement.
9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the diaper includes printed indicia thereon, and the diaper is disposed within the encasement in said step (a) such that the printed indicia of the diaper is visible through the transparent portion of the encasement.
10 . A diaper packaged in accordance with the method of claim 1 .
11 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising folding the diaper about a lengthwise fold line prior to said step (a) whereby the diaper is foldedly reduced.
12 . A method of packaging a diaper, comprising using a vacuum chamber of a vacuum-sealing machine to vacuum-seal a compressible diaper disposed within a flexible air impermeable encasement, wherein no significant difference in pressure exists between a pressure within the interior space of the encasement and a pressure immediately adjacent an exterior surface of the encasement when the encasement is sealed.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the pressure within the encasement when sealed is less than 10 millibars.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the pressure within the encasement when sealed is less than 20 millibars.
15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the pressure within the encasement when sealed is between about 5 millibars and about 1 millibar.
16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the diaper is the only diaper disposed within the sealed interior space.
17 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the diaper disposed within the encasement comprises an unused disposable diaper.
18 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising foldedly reducing the diaper and then disposing the diaper within the encasement for vacuum-sealing, wherein a reduced width of the diaper disposed within the encasement is no greater than about one-half of the nominal width of the diaper.