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.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/906,828, filed Mar. 8, 2005, pending, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, and which application is a divisional application of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/665,169, filed Sep. 18, 2003, pending, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, and which application is a nonprovisional of, and claims priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/451,433, filed Mar. 4, 2003, expired, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
