Packaging card having rigidity features

Abstract

A packaging backer card has features running along at least one edge thereof to create rigidity in the card. The features imparting rigidity may be integral with the backer card and may lie flat, in the same plane as the backer card, in a flattened configuration. The features imparting rigidity may be formed by folding at least a portion of the backer card along at least one side, where one or more tabs may be used to retain and lock the folds in the folded configuration. The folded configuration may create one or more longitudinal fold lines that contribute to reducing the likelihood of flexing, bending or drooping of the backer card. The backer card may be used to secure an item, such as a medical device, thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A backer card comprising:
 a generally flat sheet, when the backer card is in a flattened configuration, having a plurality of tabs extending outward from the flat sheet along at least one side edge thereof, the plurality of tabs being in the same plane of the flat sheet when the backer card is in the flattened configuration;   a tab fold line permitting the tab to fold;   an engagement tab formed integral with each of the plurality of tabs;   an outer fold line disposed lengthwise along at least one side edge of the backer card, the outer fold line adjacent the tab fold line;   an inner fold line disposed lengthwise along at least one side edge of the backer card, the outer fold line disposed adjacent to and medial of the outer fold line; and   a plurality of engagement members, each of the plurality of engagement members corresponding to and disposed medial of each of the plurality of tabs, wherein   when the backer card is folded along the tab fold line, the outer fold line and the inner fold line, the engagement tab in each of the plurality of tabs engages with each of the plurality of engagement members to maintain at least one side edge of the backer card in a folded configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The backer card of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tabs, the outer fold line and the inner fold line are disposed on both side edges of the backer card. 
     
     
         3 . The backer card of  claim 1 , wherein the tab fold line is disposed generally linearly with an outer edge of the flat sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The backer card of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more device engagement cutouts formed in the backer card, the one or more device engagement cutouts being in the same plane as the backer card in the flattened configuration and deformable to engage a device disposed on the backer card. 
     
     
         5 . The backer card of  claim 1 , further comprising cut outs formed in each of the plurality of tabs, the cut outs forming the engagement tabs movable from the plane of the plurality of tabs. 
     
     
         6 . The backer card of  claim 5 , further comprising slots formed in a base of the backer card, the slots forming the plurality of engagement members configured to receive the engagement tabs in the folded configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The backer card of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of engagement members are formed as a pair of slots. 
     
     
         8 . The backer card of  claim 7 , wherein the pair of slots are formed as mirror images. 
     
     
         9 . The backer card of  claim 8 , further comprising a protrusion extending into each of the pair of slots, the protrusion providing a lip to maintain the backer card in the folded configuration, causing engagement of the engagement tabs into the slots lock side rails into place to establish a rigid card with no intent of rail collapse during handling, shipping or use, thus protecting a medical device loaded thereupon. 
     
     
         10 . The backer card of  claim 9 , wherein the engagement tabs fit into the pair of slots in a first, inner position, and slide past the protrusion into a second, outer position, wherein the engagement tabs are maintained in the second, outer position by the protrusion. 
     
     
         11 . The backer card of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of engagement tabs, each of the plurality of engagement tabs extending inwardly from each of the plurality of tabs from the tab fold line when the backer card is in the flattened configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The backer card of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of engagement members includes a plurality of receiving tabs, each of the plurality of receiving tabs corresponding to and disposed medial of each of the plurality of engagement tabs. 
     
     
         13 . The backer card of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of receiving tabs are formed as partial cut outs in the backer card, the plurality of receiving tabs deformable upward to permit each of the plurality of engagement tabs to engage with and be disposed under each of the plurality of receiving tabs. 
     
     
         14 . A backer card, comprising:
 a generally flat sheet, when the backer card is in a flattened configuration, having a plurality of tabs extending outward from the flat sheet along at least one side edge thereof, the plurality of tabs being in the same plane of the flat sheet when the backer card is in the flattened configuration;   a tab fold line permitting the tab to fold;   an engagement tab formed integral with each of the plurality of tabs, the engagement tab including first and second cutouts permitting a portion of each of the plurality of tabs to extending out of the plane of the tab;   an outer fold line disposed lengthwise along at least one side edge of the backer card, the outer fold line adjacent the tab fold line;   an inner fold line disposed lengthwise along at least one side edge of the backer card, the outer fold line disposed adjacent to and medial of the outer fold line; and   a plurality of engagement members, each formed as a pair of slots, each of the plurality of engagement members corresponding to and disposed medial of each of the plurality of tabs, wherein   when the backer card is folded along the tab fold line, the outer fold line and the inner fold line, the engagement tab in each of the plurality of tabs engages with each of the plurality of engagement members to maintain at least one side edge of the backer card in a folded configuration.   
     
     
         15 . The backer card of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more device engagement cutouts formed in the backer card, the one or more device engagement cutouts being in the same plane as the backer card in the flattened configuration and deformable to engage a device disposed on the backer card. 
     
     
         16 . The backer card of  claim 14 , wherein the pair of slots are formed as mirror images. 
     
     
         17 . The backer card of  claim 14 , wherein the engagement tabs fit into the pair of slots in a first, inner position, and slide past a protrusion to move into a second, outer position, wherein the engagement tabs are maintained in the second, outer position by the protrusion. 
     
     
         18 . A backer card comprising:
 a generally flat sheet, when the backer card is in a flattened configuration, having a plurality of tabs extending outward from the flat sheet along at least one side edge thereof, the plurality of tabs being in the same plane of the flat sheet when the backer card is in the flattened configuration;   a tab fold line permitting the tab to fold;   a plurality of engagement tabs, each of the plurality of engagement tabs extending inwardly from each of the plurality of tabs from the tab fold line when the backer card is in the flattened configuration;   an outer fold line disposed lengthwise along at least one side edge of the backer card, the outer fold line adjacent the tab fold line;   an inner fold line disposed lengthwise along at least one side edge of the backer card, the outer fold line disposed adjacent to and medial of the outer fold line; and   a plurality of receiving tabs, each of the plurality of receiving tabs corresponding to and disposed medial of each of the plurality of engagement tabs, each of the plurality of receiving tabs are formed as partial cut outs in the backer card, the plurality of receiving tabs deformable upward to permit each of the plurality of engagement tabs to engage with and be disposed under each of the plurality of receiving tabs, wherein   when the backer card is folded along the tab fold line, the outer fold line and the inner fold line, the engagement tab in each of the plurality of tabs engages with each of the plurality of receiving tabs to maintain at least one side edge of the backer card in a locked folded configuration.   
     
     
         19 . The backer card of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of tabs, the outer fold line and the inner fold line are disposed on both side edges of the backer card. 
     
     
         20 . The backer card of  claim 18 , further comprising one or more device engagement cutouts formed in the backer card, the one or more device engagement cutouts being in the same plane as the backer card in the flattened configuration and deformable to engage a device disposed on the backer card.