Package configured for improved sealing

Abstract

To provide a package formed from a packaging material such as a film having increased adhesive in critical locations such as end seals and adjacent folds in other areas so that the increased adhesive can at least partially fill voids adjacent such folds.SOLUTION: The additional localized sealant material is applied to a plurality of discrete locations in the end seal or other region adjacent to the location where the fold is formed and overlaps with the sealant layer to provide additional sealant material to at least partially fill the void without being present over all, most, or a large portion of the packaging material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Described herein are packages configured for improved sealing, and in particular packages having a sealant material configured to form an improved seal during formation of the package. [Background technology]

[0002] Many different types of packages are made from films, papers, etc. One common packaging film has one or more base layers and a heat sealant layer. The film can be folded so that the heat sealant layers abut. The package can be sealed by applying heat and pressure to seal the abutting heat sealant layers, forming edge seals, gussets, fin seals, and other seals, etc. However, folds adjacent to the material may not abut. Instead, the material adjacent to the folds may be spaced apart by a gap between them. The presence of such a gap can undesirably affect the strength or integrity of the seal.

[0003] One solution to reduce or eliminate such voids is to use a thicker heat sealant layer. However, this can disadvantageously increase costs and affect the suitability of the package for recycling. This is because the industry is moving toward renewable and recyclable packaging materials. To be recyclable, a certain percentage of the film must be of a specific type of material. This means that it may not be possible to use a multilayer film, one of whose layers is a relatively thick adhesive or sealant layer, if the sealant layer unnecessarily covers the portion of the film that is not sealed (typically the vast majority of the film). Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] Packages are provided that are formed from a material that has increased adhesive in critical locations, such as adjacent folds in the edge seals and other areas, so that the increased adhesive can at least partially fill voids adjacent such folds. Additional topical sealant material is applied in multiple discrete locations within the edge seals or other regions adjacent to where the folds form overlapping sealant layers within the material. Preferably, but not necessarily, the additional topical sealant material (heat sealant material, cold sealant material, or other type of sealant) is applied during the packaging process after the material (film, paper, paperboard, etc.) is unwound.

[0005] The package can be formed from a packaging material, such as a film, paper, or combination thereof, having at least a base layer and a sealant layer, such as a heat sealant layer or a cold sealant layer. The sealant layer can be, but need not be, coextensive with the base layer. Advantageously, the material has a localized sealant material disposed on the sealant layer and in a plurality of discrete locations. The package can have one or more edge seal regions with folds having discrete locations of localized sealant material adjacent the folds, particularly when the sealant layers are not abutting, such that the localized sealant material at least partially fills the void adjacent the folds.

[0006] In one aspect, the package includes a first end seal region having folds at its lateral edges, and the discrete locations of topical sealant material can include a first pair of discrete locations adjacent the folds of the first end seal region.

[0007] In another aspect, the package includes a first end seal region and a second end seal region. Each of the first end seal and the second end seal region may have a fold at its lateral edge. The discrete locations of the local sealant material include a first pair of discrete locations adjacent to the fold in the first end seal region and a second pair of discrete locations adjacent to the fold in the second end seal region. The package may optionally include a fin seal extending between the first and second end seal regions, having a first portion disposed within the first end seal region with the first pair of fin seal folds and a second portion disposed within the second end seal region with the second pair of fin seal folds. The discrete locations of the local sealant material may include a third pair of discrete locations adjacent to the first pair of fin seal folds and a fourth pair of discrete locations adjacent to the second pair of fin seal folds.

[0008] In yet another embodiment, the package is a flow wrap package having at least one food item disposed therein, although other items may be contained within the package in place of the food item.

[0009] Alternatively, the package may be an upright package having a gusseted bottom end opposite a top end having a first end seal area. The gusseted bottom end includes a gusseted end seal area having a plurality of gusset folds. A plurality of discrete locations of topical sealant material may be adjacent to the gusset folds of the gusseted end seal area.

[0010] In another alternative, the package is a quad-style package having a pair of gusseted sides, each of which may include a pair of side seals and side seal folds, and multiple discrete locations of topical sealant material may be positioned adjacent the side seal folds.

[0011] In any of the embodiments discussed herein, the topical sealant material can have a lower melting point compared to the melting point of the sealant layer.

[0012] In any of the embodiments discussed herein, the topical sealant material is capable of flowing under pressure and may or may not be heat activated.

[0013] For packages described herein having at least one edge seal area, the package can be made by unwinding packaging material from a reel of material, applying a topical sealant material in a plurality of discrete locations, forming the edge seal area with a fold, and applying pressure and / or heat to the edge seal area to adhere portions of the sealant layer and cause the topical sealant material to fill any voids adjacent the fold.

[0014] In an exemplary method of making a flow wrap package described herein, the method may include unwinding packaging material from a reel of material, applying a topical sealant material in a plurality of discrete locations, forming a fin seal, applying pressure and / or heat to the fin seal to adhere portions of the sealant layer and cause the topical sealant material to fill voids adjacent the fold, forming an edge seal area having a fold, and applying pressure and / or heat to the edge seal area to adhere portions of the sealant layer and cause the topical sealant material to fill voids adjacent the fold.

[0015] In the methods of making the packages described herein, the topical sealant material is applied after unrolling the packaging material from the body of material. The present invention provides, for example, the following. (Item 1) 1. A package formed from a packaging material having at least a base layer and a sealant layer, the material having a topical sealant material disposed on the sealant layer and in a plurality of discrete locations, the package having one or more edge seal regions with the fold having the discrete locations of the topical sealant material adjacent the fold, such that the topical sealant material at least partially fills a void adjacent the fold. (Item 2) Item 10. The package of claim 1, wherein the package includes a first end seal region having a fold at a lateral edge thereof, and the discrete locations of the topical sealant material include a first pair of discrete locations adjacent the fold in the first end seal region. (Item 3) Item 1. The package of claim 1, wherein the package includes a first end seal area and a second end seal area, each of the first end seal area and the second end seal area having a fold at a lateral edge thereof, and the discrete locations of the topical sealant material include a first pair of discrete locations adjacent the fold in the first end seal area and a second pair of discrete locations adjacent the fold in the second end seal area. (Item 4) 4. The package of claim 3, wherein the package includes a fin seal extending between the first end seal area and the second end seal area, the fin seal having a first portion disposed within the first end seal area having a first pair of fin seal folds and a second portion disposed within the second end seal area having a second pair of fin seal folds, and the discrete locations of the topical sealant material include a third pair of discrete locations adjacent the first pair of fin seal folds and a fourth pair of discrete locations adjacent the second pair of fin seal folds. (Item 5) 2. The package of claim 1, wherein the package is a flow wrap package having at least one food item disposed therein. (Item 6) 3. The package of claim 2, wherein the package is an upright package having a gusseted bottom end opposite a top end having the first end seal area. (Item 7) 7. The package of claim 6, wherein the gusseted bottom end includes a gusset end seal area having a plurality of gusset folds, a plurality of discrete locations of the topical sealant material adjacent the gusset folds in the gusset end seal area. (Item 8) 3. The package of claim 2, wherein the package is a quad-style package having a pair of gusseted sides. (Item 9) 9. The package of claim 8, wherein the gusseted sides each include a pair of side seals and side seal folds, and a plurality of discrete locations of the topical sealant material adjacent the side seal folds. (Item 10) Item 10. The package of item 1, wherein the sealant layer is a heat sealant layer and the topical sealant material has a lower melting point compared to the melting point of the heat sealant layer. (Item 11) Item 10. The package of item 1, wherein the base layer comprises multiple distinct layers. (Item 12) Item 10. The package of item 1, wherein the packaging material is a film. (Item 13) A method for producing the package according to item 1, comprising: unwinding packaging material from a reel of packaging material, the packaging material having a heat sealant layer; applying the topical sealant material within the plurality of discrete locations; forming the end seal area with the fold; applying heat to the edge seal area to bond portions of the heat sealant layer and cause the topical sealant material to at least partially fill a void adjacent the fold. (Item 14) Item 13. The method of making a package according to item 12, wherein the topical sealant material is applied after unwinding the material from a reel of material. (Item 15) A method for producing the package according to item 4, comprising: unwinding packaging material from a reel of packaging material, the packaging material having a heat sealant layer; applying the topical sealant material within the plurality of discrete locations; forming the fin seal; applying heat to the fin seal to bond portions of the heat sealant layer and cause the topical sealant material to at least partially fill a void adjacent the folded portion of the fin seal; forming the end seal area with the fold; applying heat to the edge seal area to bond portions of the heat sealant layer and cause the topical sealant material to at least partially fill voids adjacent the fold in the edge seal area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the back side of a flow wrap package containing a chocolate bar, showing a pair of end seals and a fin seal extending between the end seals.

[0017] [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of an upright Doy-style package containing a food product.

[0018] [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view of a quad-style package having a pair of opposing side gussets.

[0019] [Figure 4]A schematic cross-sectional view taken along one of the end seals of a package similar to that of Figure 1 but without localized sealant material, showing the sealing gap adjacent the transversely folded edge and adjacent the intersection of the fin seal and the end seal.

[0020] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a prior art sealing gap adjacent the intersection of a fin seal and one of the end seals of FIG. 4, with the fin shown approximately perpendicular to the end seal, as compared to the approximately parallel view of FIG.

[0021] [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a prior art sealing gap adjacent one of the transversely folded edges of FIG. 4.

[0022] [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of packaging material that can be used to form an improved package similar to that of FIG. 1, showing the location of the end seals and fin seals once the package is formed and illustrating the addition of a topical sealant material.

[0023] [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the packaging material of FIG. 7 taken along line 8-8 and exaggerated in size to show the heat sealant layer and the topical sealant material relative to the base layer.

[0024] [Figure 9] 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view from a package similar to that of FIG. 4, but taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 1, incorporating a topical sealant material to fill the sealant gap of the prior art.

[0025] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a close-up view of the filled sealing gap adjacent the intersection of the fin seal and one of the end seals of FIG. 9, with the fin shown approximately perpendicular to the end seal, as compared to approximately parallel as in FIG. 9.

[0026] [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the fin seal gap adjacent one of the transversely folded edges of FIG. 9.

[0027] [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of packaging material that can be used to form an improved package similar to that of FIG. 2, unwound from a reel and showing the location of the seal once the package is formed, and showing the addition of a topical sealant material.

[0028] [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a packaging material that can be used to form an improved package similar to that of FIG. 3 , unwound from a reel and showing the location of the seal once the package is formed, and showing the addition of a topical sealant material.

[0029] [Figure 14] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of packaging material that can be used to form an improved package similar to that of FIG. 15, unwound from a reel and showing the location of the seal once the package is formed, and showing the addition of a topical sealant material.

[0030] [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a front view of a flat-bottom package having a top seal area, a bottom fold-over seal area, and side gussets.

[0031] It will be understood that, for the purposes of illustrating the structures discussed herein, various features of the figures may be enlarged, exaggerated, and / or not drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Packages formed from materials such as flexible film or paper products are advantageously configured for improved sealing by adding topical sealant material in multiple discrete locations. The discrete locations to which the topical sealant material is added can be in the seal area adjacent to a fold, such as an end seal region adjacent to a lateral edge fold, a fold adjacent to a fin seal in an end seal region, or a fold adjacent to another sealing structure such as a gusset in a side or the bottom of the package. The benefits of adding topical sealant material in multiple discrete locations can be incorporated into many different types of packages that can optionally contain food products, some of which are described herein as non-limiting exemplary embodiments.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1 , an example of a flow-wrap type package 10 can include a pair of edge seal areas 12 and 14 and a fin seal 16 extending therebetween, including the edge seal areas 12 and 14 themselves. The packaging material typically includes a base layer and a heat sealant layer. Naturally, the base layer, like the heat sealant layer, can be made of one or more layers. As is common, the heat sealant layer is coextensive with the base layer, but can be applied in a pattern. If a cold seal layer is used instead, it can be applied in a pattern or be coextensive. While the packaging can be made from film, it is understood that paper can also be used, as can other materials or combinations thereof. Similarly, the sealant layer can be a heat sealant layer, a cold sealant layer, or another type of sealant layer.

[0034] To produce a common type of flow-wrap package, the items to be packaged, such as one or more food items, are placed on a portion of a web of material, such as film, paper, or a combination thereof, unwound from a reel of such material. The material is gradually folded around the items, and a pair of opposing longitudinal edges of the material are abutted together, with a heat sealant layer on one edge abutting a heat sealant layer on the other edge. Heat and pressure are applied to form a fin seal using the heat sealant layer. The edges of the package can also be formed by applying heat and pressure to form edge seal areas using the heat sealant layer.

[0035] In certain circumstances, the seal in the edge seal area may not be of sufficient strength or integrity due to voids that may occur between facing portions of the material. In particular, such voids are found at adjacent folds in the material. Due to the thickness and properties of the material, including its base and heat sealant layer, perfect abutment of opposing material layers adjacent to folds in the packaging material may be difficult to achieve. As shown in the schematic cross-section of an edge seal area 100 of a typical flow-wrap package in FIG. 4, voids 102 and 104 may exist adjacent the folded lateral edges 106 and 108 of the edge seal area 100, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, and voids 110 may exist adjacent the folds 112 and 114 on each side of the fin seal area 116, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Such voids 102, 104, and 110 may not be present in the entire edge seal area 100 for a given package, but are likely to form in any one or a combination of these areas. Unfortunately, such voids 102 , 104 , and 110 may reduce the integrity of the end seal area 100 .

[0036] The improved flow-wrap package 10 is advantageously configured to reduce or eliminate voids adjacent to the material, particularly the folds in the edge seal regions 12 and 14. More specifically, the package includes a topical sealant material applied at a plurality of discrete locations, as shown in FIG. 1 . The topical sealant material is disposed on a sealant layer but is present in discrete locations. A pair of deposits 18 and 20 of topical heat sealant material are located on one side of the edge seal region 12 adjacent to the lateral edge folds 22 and 24 of the package 10. Similarly, a pair of deposits 26 and 28 of topical heat sealant material are located on the other side of the edge seal region 14 adjacent to the lateral edge folds 22 and 24 of the package 10. The localized heat sealant material is present in one or more deposits 30 and / or 32 adjacent one fin seal area 16 of the end seal area 12, and in one or more deposits 34 and / or 36 adjacent the other fin seal area 16 of the end seal area 14.

[0037] The individual locations are preferably spaced apart from one another, although groups of individual locations can be joined; for example, the topical heat sealant material can be present in strips or other larger groups. When the edge seal is formed, in addition to the heat sealing layers adhering together to form the seal, the topical sealant material is heated partially, or preferably sufficiently, to fill any voids that may exist adjacent folds where the heat sealant material does not or does not fully abut, to form a void-free seal. The integrity of the seal can thereby be improved by the filling, which can include either partial or complete filling of the voids, compared to the absence of such topical sealant material.

[0038] As shown in Figures 9-11, which represent portions of the package of Figure 1, the presence of topical sealant materials 18, 20, 30, and 32 can fill voids that may exist within the edge seal region 12 of the package 10. More specifically, as shown in the schematic cross-section of Figure 9, the edge seal region 12 of the flow-wrap package 10 has a plurality of discrete locations with topical sealant materials 18, 20, 30, and 32. Similarly, the edge seal region 14 of the flow-wrap package 10 has a plurality of discrete locations with topical heat sealant materials 26, 28, 34, and 36. As shown in Figure 9, the voids adjacent the folded lateral edges 22 and 24 of the edge seal region 12 are filled with topical sealant materials 18 and 20. The voids adjacent the folded lateral edges 22 and 24 of the other edge seal region 14 are also filled with topical sealant materials 26 and 28. Additionally, in the edge seal region 12, adjacent folds 52 and 54 on each side of the fin seal region 16 are sandwiched with topical sealant material 30 and 32, as shown in Figure 11. In the other edge seal region 14, adjacent folds on each side of the fin seal region 16 are sandwiched with topical sealant material 34 and 36. Advantageously, such topical sealant materials 18, 20, 30, and 32, and 26, 28, 34, and 36 can enhance the seal integrity in the edge seal regions 12 and 14, resulting in a tighter seal in the edge seal regions 12 and 14.

[0039] To create the flow-wrap package 10 of FIG. 1 , which includes topical sealant material in multiple discrete locations, a web of film 40 or other packaging material can be unwound from a reel of material 42, as shown in FIG. 7 . A food product (or other item or items) is placed on a segment 44 of the web of packaging material 40 used to form the package 10. More specifically, the food product is placed on a central portion 46 of the segment 44 of the web of packaging material 40. Fins are then formed and sealed by folding opposing longitudinal edges 48 and 50 of the web of packaging material 40 toward each other about fin area folds 52 and 54, thereby resulting in transverse folds 22 and 24 about the central portion 46, and then edge seals are sequentially formed in front and rear portions 56 and 58, and in the sealed package 10, which is separated from the remainder of the web of packaging material 40, as is conventional. The folds and other lines are shown in FIG. 7 for illustrative purposes only. When package 10 is formed, opposite central portion 46 are a pair of panels 60 and 62 joined by fin portions 64 and 66 .

[0040] The seal is primarily created between opposing portions of the heat sealant layer. However, uniquely, the topical sealant material is added to a number of discrete locations that tend to have more voids. More specifically, these discrete locations tend to have more voids within the edge seal regions 12 and 14 and adjacent folds 22, 24, 52, and 54 of the material. Preferably, although not necessarily, the topical sealant material is applied in a line during unwinding of the web of packaging material 40 from the reel of packaging material 42. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 , the web of packaging material 40 includes a base layer 70 (which may include one or more layers of material) and a coextensive heat sealant layer 72. The topical sealant material is disposed on an opposite side of the heat sealant layer 72 compared to the base layer 70.

[0041] For the flow wrap package of Figure 1, and with reference to front portion 56, the packaging material of Figure 7 includes local sealant material deposits 18 and 20 in a first pair of discrete locations where transverse folds 22 and 24 are formed, and deposits 30 and 32 in a second pair of discrete locations where fin seal area folds 52 and 54 are formed. Similarly, with reference to rear portion 58, web segment 44 of packaging material 40 of Figure 7 includes local sealant material deposits 26 and 28 in a third pair of discrete locations where transverse folds 22 and 24 are formed, and deposits 34 and 36 in a fourth pair of discrete locations where fin seal area folds 52 and 54 are formed.

[0042] The topical sealant material can be disposed on the heat sealant layer either before package formation or only after the seal is formed. If after the seal is formed, the topical sealant material can be disposed on the portion of the packaging material that will contact the sealant layer. For example, the cold sealant material or other sealant material can be one portion of the material that is the edge seal, and the topical sealant material can be in one or more discrete locations on an opposing portion of the material that forms the same edge seal, so that when the edge seal is formed, the topical sealant material is disposed on the other sealant material.

[0043] In one example, the topical sealant material can be polyethylene, although other materials can be used depending on the application. Other examples of topical sealant materials can include EVA, Ionomer (e.g., Surlyn), metallocene LLDPE, metallocene vLDPE, LDPE, VLDPE, LLDPE, acid copolymers (e.g., Nucrel), terpolymers, amorphous copolymers, PB-1, TPE, starch-based, PBS, or combinations of these materials. Preferably, but not necessarily, the topical heat sealant material can have increased caulkability compared to the underlying heat sealant material so that the topical sealant material can easily flow to fill any voids. In some cases, flow can be due to compression and / or heat.

[0044] The benefits of the topical sealant material can be utilized in a variety of different packaging formats and are not limited to the flow-wrap packaging of Figures 1 and 7-11. By way of non-limiting example, the topical sealant material can be incorporated into upright packages, quad-style packages, and flat-bottom bags, as discussed further below. As with the flow-wrap packaging precedent, the additional topical sealant material is believed to be particularly advantageous for adjacent folds within the packaging material.

[0045] An upright package 80 as shown in Figure 2 may include topical sealant material 82 and 84 in discrete locations adjacent transverse folds 86 and 88 in an edge seal area 90 at the top of the package, and topical sealant material in discrete locations 92, 93, 94, and 95 adjacent a bottom panel 96. The package of Figure 2 may be made using packaging material unwound from a reel of material, as shown in Figure 12. The folds and other lines are shown in Figure 12 for illustrative purposes only.

[0046] The quad-style package 120 shown in Figure 3 may have a pair of side gussets 122 and 124. Topical sealant material may be applied at discrete locations 126 in an edge seal area 128 at the top of the package as well as in an edge seal area 130 at the bottom of the package. The package of Figure 3 may be made using packaging material unwound from a reel of material, as shown in Figure 13. Folds and other lines are shown in Figure 13 for illustrative purposes only.

[0047] A flat bottom package 140, as shown in Figure 15, can include a top seal 142, a bottom seal 144 (shown folded over in Figure 15), and a rear fin seal 146 (these components are shown in Figure 14). The side panels can be gusseted. A topical sealant material 148 can be applied in discrete locations adjacent to the folds in the top seal 142, bottom seal 144, and rear fin seal 146, as shown in the web of material in Figure 14 that can be formed into the package of Figure 15. As with other examples of packaging material webs shown herein, folds and other lines are shown in Figure 14 for illustrative purposes only.

Claims

1. A package formed from a packaging material having at least a base layer and a sealant layer, the packaging material having a local sealant material disposed on the sealant layer and disposed at a plurality of discrete locations, the package having one or more edge seal areas having folds, the discrete locations of the local sealant material adjacent to the folds such that the local sealant material at least partially fills voids adjacent to the folds; the package includes a first end seal area and a second end seal area, each of the first end seal area and the second end seal area having a fold at a lateral edge thereof, the plurality of discrete locations of the topical sealant material including a first pair of discrete locations adjacent to the fold in the first end seal area and a second pair of discrete locations adjacent to the fold in the second end seal area; The package includes a fin seal extending between the first end seal area and the second end seal area, the fin seal having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being disposed within the first end seal area and having a first pair of fin seal folds, the second portion being disposed within the second end seal area and having a second pair of fin seal folds, and the plurality of discrete locations of the topical sealant material including a third pair of discrete locations adjacent to the first pair of fin seal folds and a fourth pair of discrete locations adjacent to the second pair of fin seal folds.

2. The package described in claim 1, wherein the package is a flow wrap package and at least one food item is disposed within the flow wrap package.

3. A package as described in claim 1, wherein the sealant layer is a heat sealant layer and the local sealant material has a lower melting point compared to the melting point of the heat sealant layer.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein the base layer includes multiple different layers.

5. The package described in claim 1, wherein the packaging material is a film.

6. A method for making the package of claim 3, said method comprising: unwinding packaging material from a reel of packaging material, the packaging material having the heat sealant layer; applying the topical sealant material to the plurality of discrete locations; forming the end seal area with the fold of the end seal area; applying heat to the edge seal area to cause portions of the heat sealant layer to bond and cause the topical sealant material to at least partially fill the void adjacent the fold in the edge seal area; A method comprising:

7. A method of making the package described in claim 6, wherein the topical sealant material is applied after unwinding the packaging material from the reel of packaging material.

8. A method for making the package of claim 3, said method comprising: unwinding packaging material from a reel of packaging material, the packaging material having the heat sealant layer; applying the topical sealant material to the plurality of discrete locations; forming the fin seal; applying heat to the fin seal to bond portions of the heat sealant layer and cause the topical sealant material to at least partially fill a void adjacent the folded portion of the fin seal; forming the end seal area with the fold of the end seal area; applying heat to the edge seal area to cause portions of the heat sealant layer to bond and cause the topical sealant material to at least partially fill the void adjacent the fold in the edge seal area; A method comprising:

9. A package formed from a packaging material having at least a base layer and a sealant layer, the material having discrete, spaced deposits of adhesive disposed on the sealant layer at a plurality of discrete locations, the adhesive being more fluid than the sealant layer, the package having one or more end seal regions having folds, the discrete, spaced deposits of adhesive adjacent to the folds such that the discrete, spaced deposits of adhesive at least partially fill voids adjacent to the folds.

10. The package described in claim 9, wherein the package includes a first end seal area having a fold portion at a lateral edge thereof, and the discrete spaced deposits of adhesive include a first pair of discrete locations adjacent the fold portion of the first end seal area.

11. The package of claim 9, wherein the package comprises a first end seal area and a second end seal area, each of the first end seal area and the second end seal area having a fold portion at its lateral edge, and the individual spaced apart deposits of adhesive include a first pair of individual deposits of adhesive adjacent to the fold portion of the first end seal area and a second pair of individual deposits of adhesive adjacent to the fold portion of the second end seal area.

12. The package of claim 11, wherein the package comprises a fin seal extending between the first end seal area and the second end seal area, the fin seal having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being disposed within the first end seal area and having a first pair of fin seal folds, the second portion being disposed within the second end seal area and having a second pair of fin seal folds, and the individual spaced apart deposits of adhesive including a third pair of individual spaced apart deposits of adhesive adjacent to the first pair of fin seal folds and a fourth pair of individual spaced apart deposits of adhesive adjacent to the second pair of fin seal folds.

13. The package of claim 9, wherein the package is a flow wrap package and at least one food item is disposed within the flow wrap package.

14. The package of claim 10, wherein the package is an upright package having a gusseted bottom end, the gusseted bottom end being opposite a top end having the first end seal area.

15. The package described in claim 14, wherein the gusseted bottom end includes a gusset end seal area having a plurality of gusset folds, and wherein a plurality of discrete, spaced deposits of the adhesive are adjacent to the plurality of gusset folds of the gusset end seal area.

16. The package described in claim 10, wherein the package is a quad style package having a pair of gusseted sides.

17. The package described in claim 16, wherein each of the gusseted sides comprises a pair of side seals and a plurality of side seal folds, and a plurality of individual locations of individual spaced apart deposits of the adhesive are adjacent to the plurality of side seal folds.

18. The package described in claim 9, wherein the sealant layer is a heat sealant layer and the individual spaced deposits of adhesive have a lower melting point compared to the melting point of the heat sealant layer.

19. The package of claim 9, wherein the base layer comprises a plurality of different layers.

20. The package described in Claim 9, wherein the packaging material is a film.

21. A method of making the package of claim 9, said method comprising: unwinding packaging material from a reel of packaging material, the packaging material having a heat sealant layer; applying discrete spaced deposits of the adhesive to the plurality of discrete locations; forming the end seal area with the fold; applying heat to the edge seal area to cause portions of the heat sealant layer to bond and cause the discrete spaced deposits of adhesive to at least partially fill voids adjacent the fold; A method comprising:

22. A method of making the package described in claim 21, wherein the individual spaced deposits of adhesive are applied after unwinding the packaging material from the reel of packaging material.

23. A method of making the package of claim 12, said method comprising: unwinding packaging material from a reel of packaging material, the packaging material having a heat sealant layer; applying discrete spaced deposits of the adhesive to the plurality of discrete locations; forming the fin seal; applying heat to the fin seal to cause portions of the heat sealant layer to bond and cause the discrete spaced deposits of adhesive to at least partially fill voids adjacent the folded portions of the fin seal; forming the end seal area with the fold; applying heat to the edge seal area to cause portions of the heat sealant layer to bond and cause the discrete spaced deposits of adhesive to at least partially fill voids adjacent the folds in the edge seal area; A method comprising:

24. A package formed from a packaging material having at least a base layer and a sealant layer, the packaging material having discrete, spaced deposits of adhesive disposed on the sealant layer at a plurality of discrete locations, the package having one or more end seal areas having folds, the discrete, spaced deposits of adhesive adjacent to the folds such that the discrete, spaced deposits of adhesive at least partially fill voids adjacent the folds; the package includes a first end seal area and a second end seal area, each of the first end seal area and the second end seal area having a fold at a lateral edge thereof, the individual spaced apart deposits of adhesive including a first pair of individual spaced apart deposits of adhesive adjacent the fold in the first end seal area and a second pair of individual spaced apart deposits of adhesive adjacent the fold in the second end seal area; The package includes a fin seal extending between the first end seal area and the second end seal area, the fin seal having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being disposed within the first end seal area and having a first pair of fin seal folds, the second portion being disposed within the second end seal area and having a second pair of fin seal folds, and the discrete, spaced-apart deposits of adhesive including at least one discrete deposit of adhesive adjacent to the first pair of fin seal folds and at least another discrete deposit of adhesive adjacent to the second pair of fin seal folds.

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