Inflatable packaging with tear initiation feature

Abstract

An inflatable web is disclosed. The web includes first and second film plies sealed together via a plurality of generally transverse seals to define a first and second inflatable chambers and an inflation region. The chambers are inflatable with a fluid and operable to contain the fluid. The sealed plies have a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The web defines a separation region extending at least partially transversely across the web between the first and second inflatable chambers and is configured to facilitate separation thereof. The separation region includes a tear propagation line extending transversely across at least a portion of the web with an end of the tear propagation line terminating proximal to the first longitudinal edge of the web. The separation region includes a tear initiation feature including edges spaced apart from one another longitudinally to form a permanent opening in the web.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inflatable web, comprising:
 a first ply; and   a second ply sealed to the first ply via a plurality of generally transverse seals to define a first and second inflatable chambers therebetween and an inflation region, the chambers being inflatable with a fluid and operable to contain the fluid, the sealed plies having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge;   wherein the web defines a separation region extending at least partially transversely across the web between the first inflatable chamber and the inflatable second chamber, the separation region being configured to facilitate separation of the first and second inflatable chambers,   wherein the separation region includes:
 a tear propagation line extending transversally across at least a portion of the web with an end of the tear propagation line terminating proximal to the first longitudinal edge of the web or the inflation region, and 
 a tear initiation feature including edges spaced apart from one another longitudinally to form a permanent opening in the web, and close enough to the tear propagation line that a force imparted to the web via the tear initiation feature will facilitate the initiation of a tear of the web such that the tear propagates to an end of the tear propagation line and allowing for the tearing of the web to separate the first inflatable chamber from the second inflatable chamber.