Medical container holder with rigidity enhancing lifting tabs

Abstract

A holding device for supporting medical containers includes a support plate having a first surface, a second surface, an outer peripheral edge between the first surface and the second surface, and a plurality of openings through the support plate configured to receive the medical containers. The support plate further includes an outer peripheral bottom portion extending inwardly from the outer peripheral edge, a pair of cutouts formed in opposite sides of the outer peripheral edge and in the outer peripheral bottom portion, one or more lift bosses vertically offset relative to the outer peripheral bottom portion and enclosed by the outer peripheral bottom portion, and connecting walls extending between the outer peripheral bottom portion and the lift bosses. The lift bosses include a pair of C-shaped bosses positioned to respectively surround the pair of cutouts. A plurality of chimneys protrude from the support plate and enclose the plurality of openings such that the chimneys guide insertion of the medical containers into the openings.

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to European application No. 23203394.4, filed on October 13, 2023, entitled “Medical Container Holding Device with Rigidity-Enhancing Raised Plateau”, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Background of the Invention Field of the Invention This disclosure generally relates to holding devices for holding medical containers (e.g., cartridges, tubes, prefilled syringes, stops, and / or prefillable syringes) in an upright position, and in particular to plate-type holding devices including rigidly reinforced lifting bosses, the holding devices being configured to be retained in a container or tub for receiving the medical container.

[0003] Description of the prior art Medical containers (e.g., cassettes, barrels, pre-filled syringes, stops, and / or pre-fillable syringes) often need to be transported from one location to another during or after manufacturing. For example, medical containers may be manufactured at a first location and then transported to a second location where they are filled with medical fluids. As used herein, “medical fluid” can refer to a drug or other therapeutic agent used to treat chronic or acute illnesses, as is known in the art. Exemplary therapeutic agents may include, for example, drugs, chemicals, biological substances, or biochemicals that, when delivered to a patient in a therapeutically effective amount, achieve the desired therapeutic effect. In other examples, medical containers may be manufactured and filled at the same first location and then transported to a second location for storage.

[0004] During transport, medical containers may be held by holding devices such as trays, plates, and / or nests. A nest may be a plate-like tray configured to support multiple medical containers in an upright orientation. The nest may include multiple "chimneys" aligned according to a predetermined row or pattern, each chimney defining a receptacle or opening configured to receive one medical container. As the medical container is inserted and passes through the receptacle, it remains in an upright orientation in a direction generally orthogonal to the nest. The nest is typically placed within a box-shaped enclosure with an open top, which may be sealed with a sealing cap. Removing the medical container from the enclosure may require opening the sealing cap to remove the nest holding the container from the enclosure, and removing the medical container from the nest by sliding it axially relative to the nest. Exemplary nests and boxes configured to house medical containers are disclosed, for example, in the following documents: U.S. Patent No. 10,023,358 (“'358 Patent”), entitled “Packaging for containers”; U.S. Patent No. 10,143,793 (“'793 Patent”), entitled “Tray for positioning elongated objects, in particular syringe bodies or syringes”; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0236715A1 (“'715 Publication”), entitled “Holding Device Configured to Support a Plurality of Medical Containers Such as Syringes”, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] In many cases, automated filling machines are used to fill medical containers with medical fluids before they are removed from the nest and individually packaged. During filling, the nest may deform due to the forces applied by the automated filling machine to the medical containers and / or nest. For example, while being handled by the filling machine, the nest may bend or twist due to the weight of the multiple medical containers it holds. Due to deformation of the nest or tray, medical containers supported by a deformed tray may not remain in an upright orientation, which can lead to inaccuracies during the filling process and / or during the capping process. Deformation of the nest or tray may also cause problems during the transport of the filled nest or tray to different locations.

[0006] For these reasons, nest and tray designs with increased rigidity are needed to reduce deflection of the nest or tray during transport and filling. Preventing deformation can improve the accuracy of the filling process by avoiding misalignment between the medical containers contained in the tray or nest and the automated filling machine. The retaining device of this disclosure is designed to provide this increased rigidity and resist deflection or deformation under the weight of the multiple medical containers contained in the tray or nest.

[0007] Summary of the Invention This document provides a holding device configured to support a plurality of medical containers. The holding device includes: a support plate including a first surface, a second surface, an outer peripheral edge between the first and second surfaces and having a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides, and a plurality of openings through the support plate configured to receive the plurality of medical containers. The support plate further includes: a lower portion extending inwardly from the outer peripheral edge; a pair of cutouts formed in the second pair of opposing sides and the lower portion; one or more lifting bosses vertically offset relative to and surrounded by the lower portion; and a plurality of connecting walls extending between the lower portion and the one or more lifting bosses; the one or more lifting bosses including a pair of C-shaped bosses positioned around the pair of cutouts. The retaining device also includes a plurality of chimney bodies that protrude from the first surface of the support plate and at least partially surround the plurality of openings, such that the plurality of chimney bodies guide the plurality of medical containers into the plurality of openings.

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the plurality of openings are arranged in multiple rows on the support plate, the multiple rows being aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support plate, and wherein each pair of adjacent rows in the multiple rows is offset from each other relative to the longitudinal axis, such that the multiple rows are staggered.

[0009] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the one or more lifting bosses include continuously formed bosses, the continuously formed bosses including a plurality of connected boss regions, the plurality of connected boss regions including: a central boss having a linear configuration and formed between the two most central rows of the plurality of rows for alignment along the longitudinal axis; a first peripheral boss and a second peripheral boss positioned on opposite sides of the central boss; and a pair of C-shaped bosses positioned at opposite ends of the central boss.

[0010] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the central boss and the first peripheral boss surround a first inner bottom portion of the support plate, the central boss and the second peripheral boss surround a second inner bottom portion of the support plate, the first inner bottom portion and the second inner bottom portion are vertically aligned with the peripheral bottom portion, and wherein the plurality of connecting walls extend between the first inner bottom portion and the second inner bottom portion and the central boss, the first peripheral boss and the second peripheral boss.

[0011] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the connecting wall extending between the outer periphery bottom portion and the first and second outer periphery bosses intersects with the outermost outer periphery chimney body of the plurality of chimney bodies.

[0012] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a connecting wall extending between the outer peripheral bottom portion and the first and second outer peripheral bosses is positioned outside the receiving area including the plurality of chimney bodies so as not to intersect with any of the plurality of chimney bodies, wherein the first and second outer peripheral bosses extend beyond the outermost of the plurality of chimney bodies.

[0013] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the one or more lifting bosses include a cross-shaped boss, the cross-shaped boss including: a first boss arm and a second boss arm orthogonally oriented to each other; and the pair of C-shaped bosses positioned at opposite ends of the first boss arm.

[0014] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the support plate includes an outer peripheral wall orthogonally oriented to the support plate and extending upward from the bottom portion of the outer periphery, wherein the outer peripheral wall intersects with and engages the cross-shaped boss.

[0015] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the outer peripheral wall is positioned to intersect with the outermost of the plurality of chimney bodies, and wherein the outer peripheral wall is engaged with opposite ends of the second boss arm and intersects with the first boss arm at a position where the first boss arm is aligned with the outermost of the chimney bodies.

[0016] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the outer peripheral wall is positioned outside the receiving area including the plurality of chimney bodies so as not to intersect with any of the plurality of chimney bodies, and wherein the outer peripheral wall is engaged to the opposite ends of the second boss arm and engaged to the paired C-shaped bosses outside the receiving area.

[0017] According to one aspect of this disclosure, each of the first boss arm and the second boss arm includes two bump-out bosses formed thereon, which are further raised compared to the remainder of the first boss arm and the second boss arm.

[0018] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the height by which the one or more lifting bosses rise relative to the outer peripheral bottom portion is less than or equal to the height of the plurality of chimney bodies, such that the one or more lifting bosses intersect with at least some of the plurality of chimney bodies.

[0019] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the support plate includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs extending between at least some of the plurality of chimney bodies, the plurality of reinforcing ribs connecting the respective chimney body to one or more adjacent chimney bodies, wherein the reinforcing ribs are orthogonal to the support plate and extend upward from the bottom end of the respective chimney body to the height of the one or more lifting bosses.

[0020] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the plurality of reinforcing ribs extend between adjacent chimney bodies surrounded by the central boss and the pair of C-shaped bosses, the reinforcing ribs extending upward from the bottom end of the chimney body to the underside of the central boss and the pair of C-shaped bosses.

[0021] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the plurality of reinforcing ribs extend between adjacent chimney bodies surrounded by the first boss arm and the pair of C-shaped bosses, the reinforcing ribs extending upward from the bottom end of the chimney body to the underside of the first boss arm and the pair of C-shaped bosses.

[0022] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a plurality of corresponding connecting walls extend between the pair of C-shaped bosses and the pair of cutouts, thereby providing curved walls at the pair of cutouts, the curved walls providing finger grips through which a user can grip the holding device.

[0023] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the connecting wall is generally vertical and extends generally orthogonally from the bottom portion, and has a draft angle of about 0.1 degrees to about 4.0 degrees.

[0024] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the plurality of chimney bodies are configured to receive a syringe or cartridge containing a liquid volume of 50 mL or less, preferably from 1 mL to 10 mL, and even more preferably from 1 mL to 3 mL.

[0025] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the outer periphery bottom portion and the one or more lifting bosses are flat.

[0026] This document also provides a method for manufacturing the retaining device described herein. The method includes forming the support plate and the plurality of chimney bodies as a single integral component.

[0027] Brief description of the attached figures Figure 1A This is a top perspective view of a holding device configured to support a medical container according to one aspect of this disclosure; Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A three-dimensional view of the tray from below; Figure 1C yes Figure 1A A top view of the tray; Figure 1D yes Figure 1A A bottom view of the tray; Figure 1E yes Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of the tray; Figure 2A This is a top perspective view of a holding device configured to support a medical container, according to another aspect of this disclosure; Figure 2B yes Figure 2A Top view of the retaining device; Figure 2C yes Figure 2A A bottom view of the retaining device; Figure 3A This is a top perspective view of a holding device configured to support a medical container, according to another aspect of this disclosure; Figure 3B yes Figure 3A A top view of the tray; Figure 3C yes Figure 3A A bottom view of the tray; Figure 4A This is a top perspective view of a holding device configured to support a medical container, according to another aspect of this disclosure.

[0028] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A A top view of the tray; and Figure 4C yes Figure 4A A bottom view of the tray.

[0029] Specific embodiments of the present invention The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments intended for carrying out the invention. However, various modifications, equivalents, variations, and substitutions will still be apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, variations, equivalents, and substitutions are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0030] In the following text, for descriptive purposes, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” “transverse,” and their derivatives shall be used in connection with the invention as oriented as shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the invention may employ alternative variations and sequences of steps unless explicitly stated to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific apparatus and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the invention. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0031] Referring to the accompanying drawings, this disclosure relates to a holding device 10 including an opening or cavity for holding a plurality of medical containers (e.g., a plurality of bins, cylinders, stops, pre-filled syringes, and / or pre-fillable syringes) in an upright position. Specifically, the holding device 10 can be configured to simultaneously support a plurality of medical containers in an upright position during packaging, storage, transport, and / or processing of the plurality of medical containers using an automated filling machine.

[0032] A medical container (e.g., a syringe) is a generally elongated structure comprising a hollow, elongated barrel, a stop, and a plunger rod. The barrel defines a reservoir for containing medical fluid. The stop is located within the barrel, and the plunger rod is used to move the stop within the barrel to allow the medical fluid to exit through an end, fluid port, nozzle, or needle cannula at the end of the barrel. The medical container may also include a flange at the end of the barrel that provides a surface for positioning the user's fingers (e.g., index and middle fingers) when the plunger rod is activated by the thumb. The reservoir of the medical container held by the holding device 10 of this disclosure may contain less than about 50 mL of medical fluid, or preferably, the medical fluid is from about 1 mL to 10 mL, even more preferably from 1 mL to 3 mL. The holding device 10 may be configured to contain 160 or fewer medical containers. For example, the holding device 10 may be configured to contain 100 medical containers, such as... Figures 1A to 1E As shown.

[0033] According to various aspects of this disclosure, the retaining device 10 can be configured as a plate structure comprising surfaces of varying heights to increase the rigidity of the retaining device 10 and resist deformation of the retaining device 10. Specifically, the retaining device 10 can be configured to resist deformation when used with an automated filling machine, such that during filling, when the retaining device 10 is approximately fully loaded with a filled medical container, the downward deflection of the retaining device 10 is 2.5 mm or less. Specifically, as determined by finite element analysis (FEA), for a retaining device 10 with a thickness of approximately 1.3 mm and comprising 100 cavities containing 1 mL to 3 mL filled medical containers, the retaining device 10 can be configured with a deflection of approximately 2.5 mm or less. In contrast, FEA revealed that a conventional retaining device comprising 100 cavities but without surfaces of varying heights has a deflection of approximately 4.3 mm.

[0034] As previously described, the retaining device 10 of this disclosure is configured to be disposed within a container (e.g., a housing). Exemplary housings are described in previously referenced '358, '793, and '715 disclosures. For example, the retaining device 10 of this disclosure may be disposed within a housing, for example, on a shelf formed on the inner surface of the housing. A medical container may be inserted through a through-hole or opening in the retaining device 10 such that the distal portion of the medical container (i.e., the portion of the medical container furthest from the device or the portion of the container that is grasped or manipulated by the user) is located inside the housing, and the sidewalls of the medical container are supported by the through-hole or opening in the retaining device 10.

[0035] Figures 1A to 1E An exemplary retaining device 10a is shown, configured to support a medical container including features of the present disclosure. The retaining device 10a includes a support plate 12 having a first surface or upper surface 14, a second surface or lower surface 16, and an outer peripheral edge 18 extending around the support plate 12 between the upper surface 14 and the lower surface 16. In some examples, the support plate 12 is generally rectangular in shape, thereby including a first pair of opposing sides 20 and a second pair of opposing sides 22. In some embodiments, the first pair of opposing sides 20 may be defined as longitudinal sides (hereinafter, "longitudinal sides 20"), and the second pair of opposing sides 22 may be defined as transverse sides (hereinafter, "transverse sides 22"). As used herein, a longitudinal side refers to the longer side 20 of the support plate 12 having a length L1 (e.g., Figure 1C As shown), the transverse side refers to the shorter side 22 of the support plate 12 with a length L2, where length L2 is shorter than length L1. The support plate 12 can also be square, in which case the longitudinal side 20 and the transverse side 22 have the same length (i.e., L1 equals L2). Figure 1BAs shown, the generally rectangular support plate 12 defines a first axis X1 (also called longitudinal axis, horizontal axis or x-axis) extending parallel to the longitudinal side 20 of the support plate 12 and a second axis X2 (also called horizontal axis, latitude axis, vertical axis or y-axis) extending parallel to the transverse side 22 of the support plate 12.

[0036] The dimensions of the support plate 12 will be determined by those skilled in the art based on the number of medical containers that the retaining device 10a can support, the dimensions of the medical containers, and / or the dimensions of the box or container on which the retaining device 10a is mounted. In some examples, the dimensions of the support plate 12 may be determined based on published standards for packaging dimensions of pre-filled syringes (e.g., ISO 11040-7:2015(E): Packaging systems for sterilized sub-assembled syringes ready for filling).

[0037] The support plate 12 also includes a plurality of openings 24 extending through the support plate 12, the openings being configured to receive a medical container. The openings 24 are sized to support the medical container in an upright position. For example, the openings 24 may be wide enough that the sidewalls of the medical container pass through the openings 24 while preventing flanges or other protrusions of the medical container from passing through the openings 24. The size of the openings 24 depends generally on the size of the medical container intended for use with the holding device 10a. For example, for a support plate 12 including one hundred openings 24, the inner diameter of the openings 24 may be from about 12.1 mm to about 12.35 mm.

[0038] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the openings 24 can be arranged in multiple rows 25 on the support plate 12, the multiple rows extending parallel to the longitudinal axis or the first axis X1 of the support plate 12. For example, the support plate 12 may include ten rows, each of which includes ten openings 24. The openings 24 in each row 25 may be equidistant from each other, the spacing depending on the number of openings 24 included in each row 25. The openings 24 in each row 25 may be offset from their adjacent rows 25 in an alternating pattern along the longitudinal axis or the first axis X1, such that the openings 24 in adjacent rows 25 are staggered relative to each other. This may result in a so-called “hexagonal arrangement” of the openings 24 in the support plate 12, because each opening 24 (except for the outermost “peripheral” opening of the retaining device 10a) will have an arrangement of six adjacent openings 24 arranged to be hexagonally arranged around that opening.

[0039] The support plate 12 may also include cuts 26a, 26b that extend inwardly from other portions of the outer peripheral edge 18. For example, the support plate 12 may include a first cut 26a located on one lateral side 22 of the support plate 12 and a second cut 26b located on a second lateral side 22 of the support plate 12. In some examples, cuts 26a, 26b are U-shaped notches or openings extending inwardly from the outer peripheral edge 18 of the support plate 12. The retaining device 10a may also include a curved wall 28 extending from the upper surface 14 and / or the lower surface 16 of the support plate 12 and extending around at least a portion of each of the first cuts 26a and the second cut 26b, one or more curved walls 28 providing a finger grip portion for a user to grasp the retaining device 10a. The first cut 26a and the second cut 26b may be offset from each other along the lateral axis or the second axis X2 of the support plate 12, as may be indicated by the offset of the alternating rows of openings 24 along the longitudinal axis or the first axis X1.

[0040] The retaining device 10a also includes a tubular wall, component, or ridge (referred to herein as chimney body 30) projecting from the upper surface 14 and / or lower surface 16 of the support plate 12. Figures 1A to 1E The chimney body shown protrudes from the upper surface 14. Each chimney body 30 surrounds or partially surrounds an opening 24, and the chimney body is positioned to guide a medical container into the opening 24. The chimney body 30 may include a tubular wall comprising a cylindrical inner surface 32 and a cylindrical outer surface 34 opposite to the inner surface 32, the diameter of the inner surface being approximately the same as the diameter of the opening 24 surrounded or partially surrounded by the chimney body 30, and the outer surface having an outer diameter.

[0041] As previously described, the retaining device 10a includes structures for increasing the rigidity of the support plate 12 and for resisting deflection or deformation when the retaining device 10a is fully filled with a medical container. Specifically, the retaining device 10a and the support plate 12 are configured to ensure that the downward deflection of the retaining device 10a when filled with a medical container is 2.5 mm or less. To increase the rigidity of the support plate 12, the support plate 12 may include sections of different heights connected by angled walls or vertical walls. For example, as... Figures 1A to 1EAs shown, the support plate 12 may include an outer peripheral bottom portion 36 extending inwardly from the outer peripheral edge 18 of the support plate 12. The support plate 12 also includes one or more raised or lifting portions or bosses 38 surrounded by the outer peripheral bottom portion 36, and a plurality of inner bottom portions 40 surrounded by one or more lifting bosses 38, wherein a plurality of upwardly angled or vertical connecting walls 42 (hereinafter, "connecting walls 42") extend between the outer peripheral bottom portion 36, these inner bottom portions 40, and one or more lifting bosses 38. These openings 24 and / or chimney bodies 30 extend through, or from, the bottom portions 36, 40, one or more lifting bosses 38, and / or connecting walls 42 of the support plate 12. For example, multiple external openings 24 and external chimney bodies 30 (i.e., openings 24 and chimney bodies 30 near the outer peripheral edge 18 of the support plate 12) may pass through, or extend from, the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 of the support plate 12, one or more lifting bosses 38, and the connecting wall 42. Multiple internal openings 24 and internal chimney bodies 30 (i.e., openings 24 and chimney bodies 30 near the center of the support plate 12 and surrounded by external openings 24 and / or external chimney bodies 30) may pass through, or extend from, the lifting bosses 38, the internal bottom portion 40, and the connecting wall 42 of the support plate 12.

[0042] The outer peripheral bottom portion 36 and the inner bottom portion 40 of the support plate 12 refer to the lowest portions of the holding device 10a. These lowest portions are positioned such that, if the holding device 10a is placed on a flat substrate, the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 and the inner bottom portion 40 of the support plate 12 (located on the lower surface or the second surface 16) are in face-to-face contact with the flat substrate. The connecting wall 42 and the lifting boss 38 of the support plate 12 are raised relative to the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 and the inner bottom portion 40, which means that when positioned on a flat substrate, the connecting wall 42 and the lifting boss 38 of the support plate 12 are not in face-to-face contact with the flat substrate.

[0043] In some examples, the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 is flat, meaning that the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 of the support plate 12 can abut against or be mounted to portions of a housing or container used to secure the retaining device 10a to the housing or container. In some examples, the retaining device 10a can be configured to abut against and / or be supported by a plurality of parallel guide rails (e.g., a plurality of guide rails extending parallel to the longitudinal axis or first axis X1 or transverse axis or second axis X2 of the support plate 12). In this case, these parallel guide rails can be positioned below the flat surface of the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 near the respective longitudinal side 20 or transverse side 22 of the retaining device 10a. Desiredly, even when supported by only two parallel guide rails, the support plate 12 is sufficiently rigid to maintain its shape and resist deformation or deflection.

[0044] In some examples, one or more lifting bosses 38 of the support plate 12 can be raised by a height H1 relative to the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 and the bottom inner portion 40 (e.g. Figure 1A and Figure 1E As shown), this height can be from about 2.0 mm to the top of about the chimney body 30. In some embodiments, such as Figures 1A to 1E As shown, the height H1 of one or more lifting bosses 38 may be less than the height of the chimney body 30—the height of the chimney body 30 is defined as the height from the first surface or upper surface 14 of the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 or the inner bottom portion 40 to the top of the chimney body 30. For example, the height H1 of one or more lifting bosses 38 may be between 10% and 90% of the total height of the chimney body 30. In other examples, the height H1 of one or more lifting bosses 38 may be approximately the same as the height of the chimney body 30.

[0045] These connecting walls 42 of the support plate 12 extend between the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 and one or more lifting bosses 38, and between the inner bottom portion 40 and one or more lifting bosses 38. As previously described, these connecting walls 42 may connect to and / or extend from portions of the chimney bodies 30 of the retaining device 10a. For example, these connecting walls 42 may intersect with and / or extend from at least two adjacent chimney bodies 30 of the retaining device 10a. In some examples, such as Figures 1A to 1E As shown, the connecting wall 42 comprises a generally vertical wall that extends substantially orthogonally relative to the first surface or upper surface 14 of the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 and / or the inner bottom portion 40. In some examples, the connecting wall 42 may have a slight draft angle to facilitate removal of the retaining device 10a from the tool or mold after injection molding; this slight draft angle is generally referred to as a draft angle. For example, the slight draft angle or draft angle may be between 0.1 degrees and 4.0 degrees, preferably about 1.5 degrees or less.

[0046] According to various aspects of this disclosure, the support plate 12 may include different arrangements or configurations of bottom portions 36, 40, one or more lifting bosses 38, and connecting walls 42. Those skilled in the art may select different arrangements or configurations to impart increased rigidity to different portions or sides of the support plate 12 and / or provide additional support (i.e., resistance to flexure) to portions of the support plate 12 that are expected to be subjected to considerable forces during use.

[0047] exist Figures 1A to 1E In the embodiments, one or more lifting bosses 38 are formed as a single continuous lifting boss, but for descriptive purposes, the one or more lifting bosses can be understood to include different portions or regions, which can be generally characterized as a central boss 44, an outer peripheral boss 46, and two C-shaped bosses 48. The arrangement of the central boss 44, the outer peripheral boss 46, and the C-shaped bosses 48 imparts increased rigidity (and increased resistance to flexure) to the central region of the support plate 12 and the outer periphery of the support plate 12.

[0048] The central boss 44 is configured in a generally linear arrangement and extends between the outermost chimney bodies 30 of the opposing lateral sides 22 of the support plate 12. The central boss 44 is formed between the two central rows 25 of the opening 24 / chimney body 30 (and surrounds the two central rows of openings / chimney bodies) for alignment along the longitudinal axis X1. The connecting wall 42 of the support plate 12 extends upward from the inner bottom portion 40 to the lifting boss 38, and the connecting wall 42 is parallel to the longitudinal axis X1.

[0049] These peripheral bosses 46 are formed on opposite sides of the central boss 44—the first peripheral boss 46a is thus formed on one side of the longitudinal axis X1, and the second peripheral boss 46b is formed on the other side of the longitudinal axis X1. Each of these peripheral bosses 46 is formed to generally follow the path of the outer periphery or external chimney body 30 of the retaining device 10a. These peripheral bosses 46—together with the central boss 44—thus generally surround the inner bottom portion 40 of the support plate 12, with the first peripheral boss 46a and the central boss 44 surrounding the first inner bottom portion 40a, and the second peripheral boss 46b and the central boss 44 surrounding the second inner bottom portion 40b. The first peripheral boss 46a and the second peripheral boss 46b can be mirror images of each other on opposite sides of the central boss 44 (i.e., opposite sides of the longitudinal axis X1), thereby the first inner bottom portion 40a and the second inner bottom portion 40b are also mirror images of each other. Therefore, the increased rigidity provided by the first outer peripheral boss 46a and the second outer peripheral boss 46b to the opposite sides of the support plate 12 can be the same.

[0050] Each of these peripheral bosses 46 may have a generally linear / straight profile (running parallel to the longitudinal axis X1) on its corresponding longitudinal side 20 near the support plate 12, this side of the peripheral boss 46 being aligned with the outermost row of the opening 24 / chimney body 30. A corresponding connecting wall 42 extends along this portion / side of the peripheral boss 46 between the peripheral boss 46 and the outer peripheral bottom portion 36, intersecting with the outermost row of the opening 24 / chimney body 30.

[0051] Each of these peripheral bosses 46 may have a serrated profile on opposite sides of its corresponding lateral side 22 near the support plate 12. The serrated profile of the peripheral bosses 46 on these sides follows the arrangement / positioning of the outermost opening 24 / chimney body 30 of the lateral side 22 of the support plate 12. A plurality of connecting walls 42 extend along these sides of the peripheral bosses 46 between the peripheral bosses 38 and the peripheral bottom portion 36, each connecting wall 42 being formed between adjacent external openings 24 / chimney bodies 30—such that these connecting walls 42 also have a serrated pattern following the serrated profile of the peripheral bosses 46. That is, these connecting walls 42 include alternating inward-pointing walls 42 and outward-pointing walls 42.

[0052] Two C-shaped bosses 48 are located at opposite ends of the central boss 44 on the support plate 12. The C-shaped bosses 48 extend outward from the central boss 44 and beyond the outer peripheral boss 46, entering / facing the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 of the support plate 12. These C-shaped bosses 48 are positioned to align with the first cut 26a and the second cut 26b of the opposite transverse sides 22 of the support plate 12, thereby offset from each other relative to the longitudinal axis or the first axis X1 of the support plate 12 (i.e., offset in the direction of the transverse axis or the second axis X2), as indicated by the offset of the alternating rows of openings 24 / chimney bodies 30 along the longitudinal axis or the first axis X1. These C-shaped bosses 48 extend outward through the external opening 24 / chimney body 30 and reach the first cut 26a and the second cut 26b, such that a curved wall 28 extending from the upper surface 14 of the support plate 12 and surrounding at least a portion of the respective cuts 26a, 26b forms a connecting wall 42, the connecting wall extending upward from the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 (around the cuts 26a, 26b) to the C-shaped bosses 48. On each of the opposite sides of the curved wall 28, an additional connecting wall 42 also extends upward from the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 to the C-shaped bosses 48 to further define the C-shaped bosses 48.

[0053] According to some aspects of this disclosure, such as Figure 1B and Figure 1DAs best shown, the retaining device 10a may further include a plurality of radially reinforcing ribs 50 that connect adjacent chimney bodies 30 together to provide further additional rigidity to the retaining device 10a. These ribs 50 may extend between at least some of the chimney bodies 30 that extend upward through one or more lifting bosses 38 of the retaining device 10a to provide additional rigidity to the retaining device 10a in the region of one or more lifting bosses 38. According to an embodiment, each of these ribs 50 is configured as a planar wall member that is vertically oriented and orthogonal to the support plate 12. Each rib 50 extends between a pair of adjacent chimney bodies 34, and the rib 50 is integrally formed with these chimney bodies 34 as part of a single structure. These ribs 50 are configured to extend upward from the bottom end of the chimney body 34 to the bottom surface 16 of one or more lifting bosses 38.

[0054] According to one embodiment, these ribs 50 are provided between all chimney bodies 30 extending upward through the central boss 44 and between all chimney bodies 30 extending upward through the C-shaped boss 48. These ribs 50 provide additional rigidity to the retaining device 10a in the areas of the central boss 44 and the C-shaped boss 48, where, as can be appreciated, these areas of the support plate 12 may be subjected to higher loads when the retaining device 10a is loaded with a medical container. Additionally, multiple ribs 50 may also be provided between at least some of the chimney bodies 30 extending upward through the peripheral boss 46 (e.g., between at least some of the outer chimney bodies 30 near the longitudinal side 20 of the support plate 12).

[0055] like Figures 1A to 1E As shown, since the retaining device 10a is configured to include one or more lifting bosses 38, the deflection of the support plate in the vertical direction can be reduced to less than 2.5 mm. In particular, the deflection of the support plate in the vertical direction at the center of the plate can be 1.40 mm.

[0056] Figures 2A to 2C Another example of a retaining device 10b is shown, which includes structures for increasing the rigidity of the support plate 12 and for resisting flexure or deformation when the retaining device 10b is fully filled with a medical container. Figures 1A to 1ESimilar to the retaining device 10a, the retaining device 10b includes a support plate 12 having an outer peripheral bottom portion 36, one or more lifting bosses 38 surrounded by the outer peripheral bottom portion 36, a plurality of inner bottom portions 40 surrounded by the one or more lifting bosses 38, and a plurality of upwardly angled or connected walls 42 (“connecting walls 42”) extending between the outer peripheral bottom portion 36, the inner bottom portions 40, and the one or more lifting bosses 38. The one or more lifting bosses 38 may again be formed as a single, continuous lifting boss, but for illustrative purposes, the one or more lifting bosses may be understood to include different portions or regions, which may be generally characterized as a central boss 44, an outer peripheral boss 46, and two C-shaped bosses 48. However, the structure of the outer peripheral boss 46 in the retaining device 10b differs from the structure of the outer peripheral bosses included in the retaining device 10a.

[0057] like Figures 2A to 2C As shown, these peripheral bosses 46 in the retaining device 10b are formed on opposite sides of the central boss 44—therefore, the first peripheral boss 46a is formed on one side of the longitudinal axis X1, and the second peripheral boss 46b is formed on the other side of the longitudinal axis X1. These peripheral bosses 46—together with the central boss 44—thus generally surround the inner bottom portion 40 of the support plate 12, with the first peripheral boss 46a and the central boss 44 surrounding the first inner bottom portion 40a, and the second peripheral boss 46b and the central boss 44 surrounding the second inner bottom portion 40b. The first peripheral boss 46a and the second peripheral boss 46b can be mirror images of each other on opposite sides of the central boss 44 (i.e., opposite sides of the longitudinal axis X1), and thus the first inner bottom portion 40a and the second inner bottom portion 40b are also mirror images of each other. Thus, the increased rigidity provided by the first peripheral boss 46a and the second peripheral boss 46b to opposite sides of the support plate 12 can be the same.

[0058] like Figures 2A to 2C As shown, each of these peripheral bosses 46 is formed to extend beyond the outer periphery or outermost chimney body 30 of the retaining device 10b (i.e., outside the receiving area 61 for receiving the medical container defined by each chimney body 30) and extends further toward the peripheral bottom portion 36—resulting in a reduced width of the peripheral bottom portion 36 on the support plate 12 of the retaining device 10b compared to the retaining device 10a. Since the peripheral bosses 46 extend beyond the outer periphery or outer chimney body 30, it can be considered that these peripheral bosses 46 incorporate the C-shaped bosses 48 formed around the first cut 26a and the second cut 26b of the support plate 12.

[0059] The peripheral bosses 46 extend beyond the outer periphery or exterior of the chimney body 30. Each of these peripheral bosses 46 may have a generally linear / straight profile on each side—that is, on the side near the corresponding longitudinal side 20 of the support plate 12 (extending parallel to the longitudinal axis X1) and on the side near each of the transverse sides 22 of the support plate 12 (extending parallel to the transverse axis X2). On each of these sides of the peripheral bosses 46, a corresponding connecting wall 42 is provided, which extends between the peripheral boss 38 and the peripheral bottom portion 36. Thus, a connecting wall 42 with a linear / planar structure can be provided for each peripheral boss 38 on the side near the corresponding longitudinal side 20 of the support plate 12; a connecting wall 42 with a linear / planar structure can also be provided for each peripheral boss 38 on the side near each of the transverse sides 22 of the support plate 12. In some embodiments, a chamfer 52 may be provided at the intersection of the connecting walls 42, and the connecting walls 42 are set at an angle (relative to the X1 and X2 axes). Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more of the chamfers 52 formed by the connecting wall 42 may be configured as angled (e.g., at 60 degrees to the support plate 12) inclined wall sections so as to remove the retaining device 10b from the tool or mold after injection molding.

[0060] In some embodiments, as described above for retaining device 10a, retaining device 10b may further include a plurality of radial reinforcing ribs 50 that connect adjacent chimney bodies 30 to each other to provide further additional rigidity to retaining device 10b. These ribs 50 may extend between at least some of the chimney bodies 30 extending upward through one or more lifting bosses 38 of retaining device 10b to provide additional rigidity to retaining device 10b in the region of one or more lifting bosses 38. Specifically, the plurality of ribs 50 are disposed between all chimney bodies 30 extending upward through lifting central boss 44, and may also be disposed between at least some of the chimney bodies 30 extending upward through peripheral boss 46 and through C-shaped boss 48.

[0061] In such Figures 2A to 2C The retaining device 10b shown is configured to include one or more lifting bosses 38, wherein when the outer peripheral bosses 46 extend beyond the area of ​​the opening 24 / chimney body 30, the deflection of the support plate in the vertical direction can be reduced to less than 2.5 mm. In particular, the deflection of the support plate in the vertical direction at the center of the plate can be 0.9 mm.

[0062] Figures 3A to 3CAnother example of a retaining device 10c is shown, which includes structures for increasing the rigidity of the support plate 12 and for resisting flexure or deformation when the retaining device 10c is fully filled with a medical container. More specifically, the retaining device 10c includes a support plate 12 having an outer peripheral bottom portion 36, a lifting cross-shaped boss 38 surrounded by the outer peripheral bottom portion 36, a plurality of inner bottom portions 40, a plurality of upwardly angled or connected walls 42 (“connecting walls 42”) extending between the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 and the inner bottom portions 40 and the lifting cross-shaped boss 38, and an outer peripheral wall 54 formed independently of the cross-shaped boss 38.

[0063] The lifting cross-shaped boss 38 can be characterized as including a first boss arm 56 and a second boss arm 58. The lifting cross-shaped boss 38 is formed such that it is centered on the support plate 12—the first boss arm 56 is thus aligned along the longitudinal axis X1, and the second boss arm 58 is thus aligned along the transverse axis X2. Each of the first boss arm 56 and the second boss arm 58 may have a width that surrounds at least a plurality of openings 24 / chimney body 30 of the retaining device 10c. For example, each of the first boss arm 56 and the second boss arm 58 may have a width that surrounds portions of three or four chimney bodies. The first boss arm 56 and the second boss arm 58—together with the outer peripheral wall 54—define four (4) inner bottom portions 40 of the support plate 12, which are located in four quadrants of the support plate 12.

[0064] At each of the opposite ends of the first boss arm 56, the lifting cross-shaped boss 38 may have a C-shaped configuration or C-shaped portion 60 (i.e., a C-shaped boss) similar to the C-shaped boss 48 of the previously described retaining device 10a. These C-shaped portions 60 are positioned such that they align with the first cut 26a and the second cut 26b of the opposite transverse sides 22 of the support plate 12, thereby offsetting these C-shaped portions 60 relative to the longitudinal axis or the first axis X1 of the support plate 12 (in the direction of the transverse axis or the second axis X2), as indicated by the offset of the alternating rows of openings 24 / chimney body 30 along the longitudinal axis or the first axis X1. These C-shaped portions 60 extend outward through the outer opening 24 / chimney body 30 and reach the first cut 26a and the second cut 26b, such that a curved wall 28 extending from the upper surface 14 of the support plate 12 and surrounding at least a portion of the respective cuts 26a, 26b forms a connecting wall 42, the connecting wall extending upward from the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 to the C-shaped boss 48.

[0065] As previously described, the plurality of connecting walls 42 of the support plate 12 may be connected to and / or extend from some of the chimney bodies 30 of the retaining device 10c. For example, these connecting walls 42 may intersect with and / or extend from at least two adjacent chimney bodies 30 of the retaining device 10c. A portion of these connecting walls 42 extends between the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 and the lifting cross-shaped boss 38. Figures 3A to 3C As shown, at each of the opposite ends of the second boss arm 58, a plurality of connecting walls 42 intersect with and / or extend from the plurality of chimney bodies 30 at these locations, while at each of the opposite ends of the first boss arm 56, the plurality of connecting walls 42 are positioned beyond the chimney body 30 (such that these connecting walls do not intersect with the chimney body 30). Another portion of the plurality of connecting walls 42 extends between the plurality of inner bottom portions 40 and the lifting cross-shaped bosses 38, for example, at locations along the length of the first boss arm 56 and the second boss arm 58.

[0066] The support plate 12 also includes an outer peripheral wall 54, distinct from the connecting wall 42, in that it does not connect the lifting boss 38 to the bottom portions 36, 40 of the support plate 12. The outer peripheral wall 54 generally separates the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 from the area of ​​the support plate 12 including the opening 24 / chimney body 30, and also surrounds the lifting cruciform boss 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer peripheral wall 54 is aligned with the outermost chimney body 30 of the retaining device 10c—the outer peripheral wall 54 intersects with the outermost opening 24 / chimney body 30. The outer peripheral wall 54 engages with the lifting cruciform boss 38 at each of the first boss arm 56 and the second boss arm 58—the outer peripheral wall 54 engages at both ends of the second boss arm 58, and the outer peripheral wall 54 intersects with the first boss arm 56 at its alignment with the outer chimney body 30 of the lateral side 22 of the support plate 12. At both ends of the second boss arm 58, the outer peripheral wall 54 is integrally joined with the connecting wall 42 located at these positions, which extends between the lifting cross-shaped boss 38 and the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 (intersecting with or extending from the chimney body 30).

[0067] The outer peripheral wall 54 can be understood to function similarly to the ribs 50 previously described for the retaining devices 10a, 10b, in that it connects adjacent outer chimney bodies 30 to each other, providing additional rigidity to the retaining device 10c. Thus, the outer peripheral wall 54 is constructed as a planar wall-like member, oriented vertically and orthogonal to the support plate 12. The outer peripheral wall 54 extends between adjacent pairs of outer chimney bodies 34, integrally formed with these chimney bodies 34 as part of a single structure. The outer peripheral wall 54 is constructed to extend upward from the bottom end of the chimney body 34 to a height equal to the top surface of the lifting cruciform boss 38 (in some embodiments, this height may be less than the height of the chimney body 30).

[0068] In such Figures 3A to 3C When the retaining device 10c shown is configured to include a lifting cross-shaped boss 38 and an outer peripheral wall 54, the deflection of the support plate in the vertical direction can be reduced to equal to or less than 2.5 mm. In particular, the deflection of the support plate in the vertical direction at the center of the plate is 2.5 mm.

[0069] Figures 4A to 4C Another example of a retaining device 10d is shown, which includes structures for increasing the rigidity of the support plate 12 and for resisting deflection or deformation when the retaining device 10d is fully filled with a medical container. Figures 3A to 3C Similar to the retaining device 10c, the retaining device 10d includes a support plate 12 having an outer peripheral bottom portion 36, a raised cross-shaped boss 38 surrounded by the outer peripheral bottom portion 36, a plurality of inner bottom portions 40, a plurality of upwardly angled or connected walls 42 (“connecting walls 42”), and an outer peripheral wall 54 formed independently of the cross-shaped boss 38, the upwardly angled or connected walls extending between the outer peripheral bottom portion 36 and the inner bottom portions 40 and the raised cross-shaped boss 38. However, the structure and positioning of the raised cross-shaped boss 38 and the outer peripheral wall 54 in the retaining device 10d are different from those of the raised cross-shaped boss and the outer peripheral wall included in the retaining device 10c.

[0070] like Figures 4A to 4CAs shown, the cross-shaped boss 38 of the support plate 12 is formed such that each of the first boss arm 56 and the second boss arm 58 extends beyond the outer periphery of the retaining device 10d or the outermost chimney body 30. Similar to the cross-shaped boss 38 of the retaining device 10c, the opposite ends of the first boss arm 56 may have C-shaped portions 60, which are positioned to align with the first cut 26a and the second cut 26b of the opposite lateral sides 22 of the support plate 12, respectively. These C-shaped portions 60 extend outward beyond the external opening 24 / chimney body 30 and reach the first cut 26a and the second cut 26b. However, in the retaining device 10d, the second boss arm 58 that lifts the cross-shaped boss 38 is configured such that its opposite ends also extend outward beyond the external opening 24 / chimney body 30.

[0071] With the cross-shaped boss 38 configured such that each of the first boss arm 56 and the second boss arm 58 extends beyond the chimney body 30 outside the retaining device 10d, the position of the outer peripheral wall 54 on the support plate 12 is moved outward to align with the ends of the first boss arm 56 and the second boss arm 58. Thus, the outer peripheral wall 54 is positioned beyond the outer periphery of the retaining device 10d or the outermost chimney body 30 (i.e., outside the receiving area 61), such that each sidewall of the outer peripheral wall 54 can have a generally linear / straight profile that does not intersect with any chimney body 30. On the side of the support plate 12 near the longitudinal side 20, the outer peripheral wall 54 is a straight wall along its entire length; while on the side of the support plate 12 near the transverse side 22, the outer peripheral wall is straight except where it intersects with the C-shaped portion 60 of the first boss arm 56. The outer peripheral wall 54 engages at the end of each of the first boss arm 56 and the second boss arm 58 with the lifting cross-shaped boss 38. At the ends of the first boss arm 56 and the second boss arm 58, the outer peripheral wall 54 is integrally engaged with connecting walls 42 located at these locations, which extend between the lifting cross-shaped boss 38 and the outer peripheral bottom portion 36.

[0072] In some embodiments, the cross-shaped boss 38 may be further configured such that each of the first boss arm 56 and the second boss arm 58 includes two raised bosses 62 formed thereon, which are further raised / elevated compared to the remainder of the first boss arm 56 and the second boss arm 58. These raised bosses 62 may be spaced apart from each other and positioned toward opposite ends of the first boss arm 56 and the second boss arm 58. Each of these raised bosses 62 may be further raised such that its top surface is at the same height as the chimney body 30. Each of these raised bosses 62 may be formed between a set of three (3) adjacent chimney bodies 30 to have a generally triangular shape. The raised bosses 62 may serve to add further additional rigidity to the support plate 12.

[0073] In such Figures 4A to 4C When the retaining device 10d shown is configured to include a lifting cross-shaped boss 38 and an outer peripheral wall 54, the deflection of the support plate 12 in the vertical direction can be reduced to less than 2.5 mm. In particular, the deflection of the support plate in the vertical direction at the center of the plate is 2.1 mm.

[0074] According to various aspects of this disclosure, the retaining devices 10a to 10d can be made of various plastic materials commonly used in disposable medical packaging, containers, and / or devices. Furthermore, the retaining devices 10a to 10d can be manufactured using various molding and molding processes known in the art, via which the retaining devices 10a to 10d are formed as a single integral component. For example, the retaining devices 10a to 10d of this disclosure may comprise thermoplastic materials, preferably polypropylene, or polyester, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, or other injection-molded or formable resin materials known in the art. In some examples, the support plate 12 and the chimney body 30 can be integrally formed from the same material, for example, from the same thermoplastic material. In some examples, the retaining devices 10a to 10d are formed by a single injection molding process, wherein the retaining devices 10a to 10d are formed by injecting a fluid polymer material between a first tool and a second tool in a single step. To optimize the injection-molded retaining devices 10a to 10d, in some examples, the vertical or substantially vertical surfaces of the retaining devices 10a to 10d (e.g., the previously described wall 42 including the connecting wall 42, and the inner surface 32 and / or outer surface 34 of the chimney body 30) may include slightly inclined surfaces with a draft angle (e.g., an angle of about 0.1 degrees to 4.0 degrees, such as 1.5 degrees). Including substantially vertical surfaces with a slightly inclined or draft angle makes it easier to remove the molded part from the mold after injection molding. In other examples, the retaining devices 10a to 10d may be manufactured by 3D printing using processes known in the art.

[0075] Advantageously, embodiments of this disclosure thus provide a retaining device exhibiting increased rigidity to reduce its deflection during transport and filling. Preventing deformation can improve the accuracy of the filling process by avoiding misalignment between the medical containers contained in the tray or nest and the automated filling machine. The retaining device of this disclosure is designed to provide this increased rigidity and resist deflection or deformation caused by the weight of the multiple medical containers it contains, wherein one or more lifting bosses are formed on the support plate of the retaining device to increase its rigidity.

[0076] While examples of retaining devices are shown in the accompanying drawings and described in detail above, other examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art and readily made by them without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The invention described above is defined by the appended claims, and all modifications to the invention falling within the equivalent meaning and scope of the claims are to be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A holding device configured to support a plurality of medical containers, the holding device comprising: A support plate, the support plate including a first surface, a second surface, an outer peripheral edge between the first surface and the second surface including a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides, and a plurality of openings penetrating the support plate, the plurality of openings being configured to receive a plurality of medical containers, wherein the support plate includes: The outer peripheral bottom portion extends inward from the outer peripheral edge; A pair of cuts, the pair of cuts being formed on the second pair of opposite sides and in the outer peripheral bottom portion; One or more lifting bosses, the one or more lifting bosses being vertically offset relative to the outer peripheral bottom portion and surrounded by the outer peripheral bottom portion; and Multiple connecting walls extend between the outer peripheral bottom portion and the one or more lifting bosses; Wherein, the one or more lifting bosses include a pair of C-shaped bosses, the pair of C-shaped bosses being positioned respectively around the pair of cutouts; and A plurality of chimney bodies protrude from the first surface of the support plate and at least partially surround the plurality of openings, such that the plurality of chimney bodies guide the plurality of medical containers into the plurality of openings.

2. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of openings are arranged in multiple rows on the support plate, the multiple rows being aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support plate, and wherein each pair of adjacent rows in the multiple rows is offset from each other relative to the longitudinal axis, such that the multiple rows are staggered.

3. The holding device according to claim 2, wherein, The one or more lifting bosses include continuously formed bosses, and the continuously formed bosses include a plurality of connected boss regions, the plurality of connected boss regions including: A central boss, which has a linear arrangement and is formed between the two most central rows of the multiple rows, so as to be aligned along the longitudinal axis; A first peripheral boss and a second peripheral boss, the first peripheral boss and the second peripheral boss being positioned on opposite sides of the central boss; and The paired C-shaped bosses are positioned at opposite ends of the central boss.

4. The holding device according to claim 3, wherein, The central boss and the first peripheral boss surround the first inner bottom portion of the support plate, and the central boss and the second peripheral boss surround the second inner bottom portion of the support plate. The first inner bottom portion and the second inner bottom portion are vertically aligned with the peripheral bottom portion, and wherein the plurality of connecting walls extend between the first inner bottom portion and the second inner bottom portion and the central boss, the first peripheral boss and the second peripheral boss.

5. The holding device according to claim 3, wherein, The connecting wall extending between the bottom portion of the outer periphery and the first and second outer periphery protrusions intersects with the outermost outer periphery chimney body of the plurality of chimney bodies.

6. The holding device according to claim 3, wherein, A connecting wall extending between the outer peripheral bottom portion and the first and second outer peripheral bosses is positioned outside the receiving area comprising the plurality of chimney bodies so as not to intersect with any of the plurality of chimney bodies, wherein the first and second outer peripheral bosses thereby extend beyond the outermost of the plurality of chimney bodies.

7. The holding device according to claim 2, wherein, The one or more lifting bosses include a cross-shaped boss, the cross-shaped boss comprising: The first and second boss arms are orthogonally oriented; and The paired C-shaped bosses are positioned at opposite ends of the first boss arm.

8. The holding device according to claim 7, wherein, The support plate includes an outer peripheral wall orthogonally oriented to the support plate and extending upward from the bottom portion of the outer periphery, wherein the outer peripheral wall intersects with and engages with the cross-shaped boss.

9. The holding device according to claim 8, wherein, The outer peripheral wall is positioned to intersect with the outermost outer peripheral chimney body among the plurality of chimney bodies, and wherein the outer peripheral wall is joined to the opposite ends of the second boss arm and intersects with the first boss arm at a position where the first boss arm is aligned with the outermost outer peripheral chimney body.

10. The holding device according to claim 7, wherein, The outer peripheral wall is positioned outside the receiving area including the plurality of chimney bodies so as not to intersect with any of the plurality of chimney bodies, and wherein the outer peripheral wall engages with opposite ends of the second boss arm and engages with the paired C-shaped bosses outside the receiving area.

11. The holding device according to claim 7, wherein, Each of the first boss arm and the second boss arm includes two raised bosses formed thereon, which are further raised compared to the rest of the first boss arm and the second boss arm.

12. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein, The height by which the one or more lifting bosses rise relative to the outer peripheral bottom portion is less than or equal to the height of the plurality of chimney bodies, such that the one or more lifting bosses intersect with at least some of the plurality of chimney bodies.

13. The holding device according to claim 12, wherein, The support plate includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs that extend between at least some of the plurality of chimney bodies, the plurality of reinforcing ribs connecting a respective chimney body to one or more adjacent chimney bodies, wherein the reinforcing ribs are orthogonal to the support plate and extend upward from the bottom end of the respective chimney body to the height of the one or more lifting bosses.

14. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein, The plurality of reinforcing ribs extend between adjacent chimney bodies surrounded by the central boss and the paired C-shaped bosses, the reinforcing ribs extending upward from the bottom end of the chimney body to the underside of the central boss and the paired C-shaped bosses.

15. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein, The plurality of reinforcing ribs extend between adjacent chimney bodies surrounded by the first boss arm and the paired C-shaped bosses, the reinforcing ribs extending upward from the bottom end of the chimney body to the underside of the first boss arm and the paired C-shaped bosses.

16. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein, The corresponding multiple connecting walls extend between the paired C-shaped bosses and the paired cutouts, thereby providing curved walls at the paired cutouts, the curved walls providing finger grips through which the user can grip the retaining device.

17. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein, The connecting wall is generally vertical and extends generally orthogonally from the bottom portion, and has a draft angle of about 0.1 degrees to about 4.0 degrees.

18. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of chimney bodies are configured to receive a syringe or cartridge containing a liquid volume of 50 mL or less, preferably from 1 mL to 10 mL, or even more preferably from 1 mL to 3 mL.

19. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein, The outer peripheral bottom portion and the one or more lifting bosses are flat.

20. A method for manufacturing the retaining device according to claim 1, the method comprising forming the support plate and the plurality of chimney bodies as a single integral component.

Images