Holding device configured to support a plurality of medical containers, such as syringes - Patents.com

Abstract

To provide a holding device capable of improving accuracy of a filling step and of reducing costs.SOLUTION: A holding device 1 includes a support plate 10 and a plurality of reinforcement ribs 30. The support plate has an upper surface 10a, a lower surface 10b, and a plurality of openings 20. The respective openings are surrounded by chimneys 42 projecting from either the upper surface or the lower surface 10a, 10b of the support plate to guide insertion of a barrel of a medical container into the openings 20. A plurality of reinforcement ribs project at least from one of the upper surface and the lower surface 10a, 10b and extend between the adjacent openings 20 of the plurality of openings 20. The plurality of reinforcement ribs are provided with at least one diagonal rib 310c extending diagonally in a longitudinal direction X of the support plate between two different pairs of adjacent openings 20 and adjacent chimneys of the plurality of openings 20 from one side to the other of the support plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding device for supporting multiple medical containers. [Background technology]

[0002] In this application, the distal end of a component or device should be understood to mean the end furthest from the user's hand, and the proximal end should be understood to mean the end closest to the user's hand. Similarly, in this application, a "distal direction" should be understood to mean the injection direction relative to a container supported by a holding device of the present invention, and a "proximal direction" should be understood to mean the direction opposite to that injection direction, i.e., the direction toward the user's hand holding the container during an injection operation.

[0003] Medical containers, such as prefillable or pre-filled syringes, often need to be transported from one location to another, for example, from a manufacturing location to a second location where the medical container can be filled with a pharmaceutical composition agent, such as a vaccine, drug, or therapeutic agent. Less frequently, the medical containers may be manufactured and filled at the same first location and then transported to a storage location. During transport, the medical containers are typically held by a holding device, such as a nest.

[0004] The nest is a flat tray typically configured to support over 100 medical containers. The nest includes a number of through-holes arranged in a predetermined row, each hole configured to receive one medical container. The barrel of each medical container protrudes through the hole in a direction substantially perpendicular to the nest.

[0005] The nest is typically placed in a box-shaped tub with a single opening that is sealed with a sealing cover. To remove the medical container from the tub, the sealing cover is essentially peeled off, the nest holding the medical container is removed from the tub, and the medical container is removed from the nest by sliding it axially relative to the nest. Before being removed from the nest and individually packaged, the medical container is filled with the pharmaceutical composition using a filling machine. Summary of the Invention

[0006] When handled by a filling machine, the weight of all the medical containers held in a nest can cause the nest to deform slightly, e.g., bend or distort, which can result in the flanges of the medical containers supported by the slightly deformed nest no longer being exactly in the same plane, potentially introducing errors during the filling process.

[0007] Furthermore, while existing nests allow for simultaneous support and handling of multiple medical containers, thereby limiting storage or shipping costs, there is still a continuing need to reduce costs.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a holding device configured to support a plurality of medical containers, the holding device comprising a support plate and a plurality of reinforcing ribs; the support structure has an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, and a plurality of openings arranged according to a predetermined pattern, each opening configured to receive one barrel of the medical container; The reinforcing rib protrudes from at least one of the upper and lower surfaces and extends between adjacent ones of the plurality of openings.

[0009] The holding device of the present invention is therefore strengthened by the presence of several reinforcing ribs. This increased rigidity prevents the support plate from deforming when handled by the filling machine, thereby improving the accuracy of the filling process. Furthermore, the increased rigidity of the holding device allows the thickness of the support plate to be reduced. As a result, the amount of raw material required to manufacture the holding device can be reduced, thereby reducing costs.

[0010] The reinforcing ribs of the plurality of reinforcing ribs extend from one side to the other side of the support plate.

[0011] By a reinforcing rib extending from one side of the support plate to the other, a reinforcing rib extending at least from one row of peripheral openings to another row of peripheral openings should be understood. The peripheral openings are the outermost openings of the plurality of openings. Thus, the peripheral openings surround the other openings of said plurality of openings. The end of the reinforcing rib can be located between two different pairs of adjacent peripheral openings. However, the reinforcing rib may also extend up to the peripheral rim of the support plate, i.e., from one part of said peripheral rim to another part. In this case, the end of the reinforcing rib is located at the peripheral rim of the support plate.

[0012] The reinforcing ribs extend between adjacent rows of openings, the reinforcing ribs are parallel to the adjacent rows of openings, and the reinforcing ribs extend without intersecting the openings.

[0013] In one embodiment, the plurality of reinforcing ribs includes two central ribs that intersect with each other approximately in the center of the support plate.

[0014] In one embodiment, the plurality of reinforcing ribs includes one or several diagonal ribs extending diagonally relative to the longitudinal direction of the support plate.

[0015] In one embodiment, the plurality of reinforcing ribs includes a primary reinforcing rib that is 1.5 to 2 times thicker than the support plate.

[0016] This feature offers an optimal compromise between cost reduction and stiffness.

[0017] The thickness of a reinforcing rib is the distance between the two sides of the reinforcing rib, that is, the distance measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing rib and parallel to the support plate.

[0018] The thickness of the support plate is the distance between the top and bottom surfaces of the support plate measured in a direction perpendicular to the support plate.

[0019] In one embodiment, the plurality of reinforcing ribs includes at least one secondary rib extending parallel to one of said central ribs.

[0020] In one embodiment, the at least one secondary rib is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support plate.

[0021] In one embodiment, the at least one secondary rib is thinner than the central rib.

[0022] In one embodiment, the at least one secondary rib is thinner than the diagonal ribs.

[0023] Advantageously, the plurality of reinforcing ribs may include at least one primary reinforcing rib and at least one secondary reinforcing rib, and the at least one secondary reinforcing rib may be thinner than the at least one primary reinforcing rib.

[0024] In one embodiment, the at least one central reinforcing rib is 1.5 to 2 times thicker than the at least one secondary rib.

[0025] In one embodiment, the at least one diagonal reinforcing rib is 1.5 to 2 times thicker than the at least one secondary rib.

[0026] Advantageously, the plurality of reinforcing ribs includes at least one longitudinal reinforcing rib extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support plate. The at least one longitudinal reinforcing rib may be one of the central reinforcing ribs. The plurality of reinforcing ribs may include several longitudinal reinforcing ribs, at least one of which may be a main reinforcing rib.

[0027] Advantageously, the plurality of reinforcing ribs includes at least one transversal reinforcing rib extending parallel to the transversal direction of the support plate. The at least one transversal reinforcing rib may be one of the central reinforcing ribs. The plurality of reinforcing ribs may include several transversal reinforcing ribs, at least one of which may be a main reinforcing rib.

[0028] In one embodiment, each opening is surrounded by a chimney that protrudes from one of the upper or lower surfaces of the support plate to guide the insertion of the barrel of the medical container into said opening.

[0029] This feature allows for guiding the medical container through the support plate.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the chimney comprises at least two guide tabs, the slit being delimited between the at least two guide tabs.

[0031] This feature reduces raw material costs due to the slits between the guide tabs.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the chimney comprises four guide tabs, with the slits separated between two adjacent guide tabs.

[0033] In one embodiment, said plurality of reinforcing ribs comprises one or several reinforcing ribs formed by adjacent chimneys, more precisely adjacent guide tabs, connected to one another.

[0034] This has the advantage of improving the rigidity of the support plate while further reducing the raw material cost.

[0035] In one embodiment, the chimneys or guide tabs forming said one or more reinforcing ribs are thicker than the other chimneys or guide tabs.

[0036] Advantageously, the guide tabs and the reinforcing ribs project from the same face of the support plate.

[0037] In one embodiment, the height of the chimney or guide tab is preferably equal to the height of the reinforcing rib.

[0038] The height of a chimney or guide tab is the distance between the proximal and distal ends of the chimney or guide tab.

[0039] In one embodiment, the support plate includes a peripheral edge that protrudes from one of the upper and lower surfaces and surrounds the plurality of openings.

[0040] This improves the stiffening of the support plate.

[0041] In one embodiment, at least one of the reinforcing ribs has a chamfered edge.

[0042] This allows the cost of raw materials to be reduced without impairing the rigidity of the support plate.

[0043] In one embodiment, the diagonal ribs have chamfered ends.

[0044] Advantageously, the openings are arranged in staggered rows.

[0045] As a result, the openings in two adjacent rows are offset from one another. The quincunx-shaped arrangement of the openings allows for a larger number of medical containers to be supported. More precisely, one opening is located at the center of the square formed by four adjacent openings.

[0046] Advantageously, the holding device is a nest.

[0047] A second aspect of the present invention relates to an assembly configured to support a plurality of medical containers, the assembly comprising: tab; At least one holding device according to the first aspect Includes:

[0048] The tab may be a box-shaped housing defining an interior volume configured to accommodate the holding device and the medical container supported by the holding device. The tab may have at least one opening configured to allow the holding device to be inserted into the interior volume or removed from the tab. The tab may also include a hermetic cover configured to seal the opening and that can be peeled off prior to removal of the holding device. The hermetic cover may include Tyvek® sheet or any material that is airtight but permeable to a sterilizing gas, such as ethylene oxide (EO).

[0049] Another aspect is a holding device configured to support a plurality of medical containers, the holding device comprising: a support plate having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, and a plurality of openings arranged according to a predetermined pattern, each opening configured to receive a barrel of one of the medical containers; Each opening is surrounded by at least two guide tabs protruding from one of the upper or lower surfaces of the support plate to guide insertion of the barrel of the medical container into said opening, and a slit is defined between said at least two guide tabs.

[0050] The holding device guides the medical container as it is inserted or removed from the support plate, while the slits separating the guide tabs allow for the use of as few raw materials as possible, thereby reducing costs.

[0051] The holding device may also include some or all of the additional features detailed herein.

[0052] For example, the retaining device may include a plurality of reinforcing ribs projecting from at least one of the upper and lower surfaces and extending from one side of the support plate to the other between adjacent ones of the plurality of openings.

[0053] The plurality of reinforcing ribs may include two central ribs intersecting each other approximately in the center of the support plate and diagonal ribs extending diagonally relative to the central ribs. The central ribs and diagonal ribs may be 1.5 to 2 times thicker than the support plate.

[0054] For example, the plurality of reinforcing ribs may include one or more reinforcing ribs formed by adjacent guide tabs connected to one another. The guide tabs forming the one or more reinforcing ribs may be thicker than the other guide tabs. The guide tabs and the reinforcing ribs preferably protrude from the same surface of the support plate. The height of the guide tabs may be equal to or greater than the height of the reinforcing ribs.

[0055] The plurality of reinforcing ribs advantageously includes at least one secondary rib extending parallel to one of the central ribs. The at least one secondary rib is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support plate. The at least one secondary rib is advantageously thinner than the central rib and the diagonal ribs. Advantageously, the central and diagonal reinforcing ribs are 1.5 to 2 times thicker than the at least one secondary rib. Advantageously, the at least one secondary rib and the support plate can have similar thicknesses. The reinforcing rib preferably has chamfered edges.

[0056] For example, the support plate has a peripheral edge portion that protrudes from one of the upper and lower surfaces and surrounds the plurality of openings.

[0057] For example, the openings may be arranged in staggered rows.

[0058] The invention and the advantages arising therefrom will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0059] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a holding device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a holding device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a top view of a holding device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a holding device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] Referring to the figures, a holding device 1, or nest, according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The holding device 1 is configured to simultaneously support multiple medical containers (not shown). Thus, the holding device 1 functions as a nest for packaging, storing, transporting, and handling medical containers on a filling line. The nest is a plate with each opening configured to receive one medical container and with an inclined surface so that the nest can rest on a shoulder in a box-shaped housing or be handled by a filling machine.

[0061] It should be noted that the medical container may be a syringe, such as a pre-fillable syringe, which after filling is intended to contain a pharmaceutical composition, such as a vaccine, a medicament or a therapeutic pharmaceutical composition.

[0062] A medical container, such as a syringe, typically includes an elongated barrel defining a reservoir for containing a pharmaceutical composition, a plunger stopper disposed inside the barrel, a plunger that moves the plunger stopper inside the barrel and expels the pharmaceutical composition through a tip closed by a staked needle and / or needle shield at the distal end of the barrel, and a flange at the proximal end of the barrel, where the flange provides a surface for positioning the user's fingers, typically the index and middle fingers, and the plunger rod is actuated by the thumb.

[0063] The holding device 1 comprises a support plate 10 configured to support multiple medical containers simultaneously. By support plate, we mean a substantially plane piece that has a small thickness compared to its other dimensions, such as length or width.

[0064] The support plate 10 has an upper surface 10a, a lower surface 10b opposite the upper surface 10a, and a peripheral rim 11c joining the upper and lower surfaces 10a, 10b.

[0065] The support plate 10 is preferably rectangular and therefore defines two longitudinal sides 12a and two lateral sides 12b.

[0066] 1, the support plate 10 extends substantially in a plane XY that is perpendicular to a vertical direction Z. The longitudinal sides 12a extend along a longitudinal direction X that is perpendicular to the vertical direction Z, and the lateral sides 12b extend along a lateral direction Y that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the vertical direction Z.

[0067] 2 and 4, the support plate 10 may include one or several inclined surfaces 13 configured to abut against shoulders located inside the box-shaped housing. These inclined surfaces 13 also define handling portions of the support plate 10 so that the support plate 10 can be handled on a filling line. The inclined surfaces 13 preferably extend on the lower surface 10b. The inclined surfaces 13 also preferably extend in the lateral direction Y.

[0068] The holding device 1 also includes a plurality of openings 20, each configured to receive one barrel of the medical container. The openings 20 are preferably circular to receive a cylindrical barrel. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the openings 20 are through-openings that extend through the plate-like structure 10 from the upper surface 10a to the lower surface 10b.

[0069] The openings 20 are arranged according to a predetermined pattern, such as parallel rows that may extend along the longitudinal direction X or the transverse direction Y, or along diagonal directions relative to the longitudinal and transverse directions X and Y. As shown in the figures, the openings 20 may also be arranged in staggered rows, i.e., a quincunx pattern, to allow the holding device 1 to accommodate as many medical containers as possible.

[0070] The support plate 10 may include abutment surfaces 14 each configured to support one flange of a medical container. Each abutment surface 14 preferably extends around one of the openings 20 and may be part of the upper or lower surface 10a, 10b, preferably the upper surface 10a as shown in FIG. 1, or may be located at the distal end 40b of the chimney 40. The abutment surfaces 14 may have a circular shape.

[0071] 2 and 4, the retention device 1 can include a plurality of reinforcing ribs 30 configured to strengthen the support plate 10. The reinforcing ribs 30 protrude from one of the upper or lower surfaces 10a, 10b, preferably the lower surface 10b, and extend longitudinally between adjacent openings 20.

[0072] The reinforcing ribs 30 extend between two adjacent longitudinal, transverse or diagonal rows of openings 20. The reinforcing ribs 30 are parallel to the adjacent rows of openings 20. The reinforcing ribs 30 extend without intersecting the openings 20.

[0073] The reinforcing rib 30 may be formed in the shape of a wall that protrudes perpendicular to the support plate 10. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the reinforcing rib 30 extends in the longitudinal direction along a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. As will be described later, the reinforcing rib 30 may be linear or wavy. In either case, the reinforcing rib 30 extends in an approximately linear manner in the longitudinal direction.

[0074] It should be noted that the reinforcing ribs 30, and preferably all of the reinforcing ribs 30, extend from one side 12 of the support plate 10 to the other side 12. More precisely, the reinforcing ribs 30 extend longitudinally at least from one peripheral row 21 of the plurality of openings 20 to another peripheral row 21 of the plurality of openings 20. The peripheral row 21 of openings 20 is formed by the outermost openings 22 of the plurality of openings 20. In the example shown in Figure 3, the holding device 1 comprises four peripheral rows 21.

[0075] The reinforcing ribs 30 have two opposite ends 33, which are preferably located on two different sides 12 of the support plate 10. For example, the opposite ends 33 are located between two adjacent peripheral openings 22. Note that the reinforcing ribs 30 extend continuously from one end 33 to the other. As shown in FIG. 2, at least some of the reinforcing ribs 30 advantageously have chamfered ends 33. As a result, the height of these reinforcing ribs 30 decreases toward the ends 33.

[0076] As can be seen from FIG. 2 or FIG. 4, the plurality of reinforcing ribs 30 may include a main reinforcing rib 31 and an auxiliary reinforcing rib 32, and the auxiliary reinforcing rib 32 is advantageously thinner than the main reinforcing rib 31.

[0077] The holding device 1 may comprise one or several central reinforcing ribs 310a, 310b, which intersect with each other approximately in the center of the support plate 10, as shown in Figure 4, and which may be wavy. Preferably, the central reinforcing ribs 310a, 310b are perpendicular to each other.

[0078] The first central reinforcing rib 310a extends along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal sides 12a of the support plate 10 from the center of one lateral side 12b to the center of the other lateral side 12b.

[0079] The second central reinforcing rib 310b extends along a direction substantially parallel to the lateral sides 10b of the support plate 12 from the center of one longitudinal side 12a to the center of the other longitudinal side 12a.

[0080] The holding device 1 may also comprise one or several diagonal reinforcing ribs 310c extending diagonally relative to the central reinforcing ribs 310a, 310b. Preferably, each diagonal reinforcing rib 310c extends from one longitudinal side 12a to one lateral side 12b. Preferably, the diagonal reinforcing ribs 310c are straight.

[0081] 2 and 4, the holding device 1 comprises four diagonal reinforcing ribs 310c. The central reinforcing ribs 310a, 310b divide the support plate into several regions, such as quadrants, each of which is spanned by one diagonal reinforcing rib 310c.

[0082] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the diagonal reinforcing ribs 310c have chamfered ends 33.

[0083] The central reinforcing ribs 310a, 310b and the diagonal reinforcing rib 310c form the main reinforcing rib 31. As mentioned above, the retention device 1 may further include at least one secondary reinforcing rib 32, for example, two secondary reinforcing ribs 32 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. In one embodiment, the secondary reinforcing rib 32 is advantageously parallel to one of the central reinforcing ribs 310a, 310b, for example, parallel to the second central reinforcing rib 310b. Preferably, the secondary reinforcing rib 32 extends from one longitudinal side 12a of the support plate 10 to the opposite longitudinal side 12a. As a result, the secondary reinforcing rib 32 increases the rigidity of the support plate 10 without requiring too much material. The secondary reinforcing rib 32 may be wavy, like the central reinforcing ribs 310a, 310b. The auxiliary reinforcing rib 32 may be arranged symmetrically with one of the central reinforcing ribs 310a, 310b, for example parallel to the second central reinforcing rib 310b.

[0084] Preferably, the thickness of the main reinforcing rib 31 is comprised between 150% and 200% of the thickness of the secondary reinforcing rib 32. The thickness of the reinforcing rib is measured in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction and parallel to the horizontal plane XY. The thickness of the main reinforcing rib 31 is advantageously between 150% and 200% of the thickness of the support plate 10. The thickness of the support plate 10 is the distance measured in the vertical direction Z between the upper and lower faces 10a, 10b. Even more advantageously, the auxiliary reinforcing rib 32 and the support plate 10 may have the same thickness.

[0085] For example, the plate-like structure 10 may have a thickness of 1.3 to 1.5 mm, preferably 1.4 mm. The thickness of the main reinforcing ribs 31 may be 2.3 to 2.6 mm, for example, 2.5 mm for the central reinforcing ribs 310a and 310b and 2.4 mm for the diagonal reinforcing rib 310c. The thickness of the auxiliary reinforcing ribs 32 may be 1.3 to 1.5 mm, preferably 1.4 mm.

[0086] 1 and 2, the holding device 1 can include chimneys 42 formed by guide tabs 40 configured to form guiding conduits around each opening 20 to guide the insertion of the barrel of the medical container into each of these openings 20.

[0087] The guide tab 40 protrudes from one of the upper and lower surfaces 10a, 10b of the support plate 10, preferably from the lower surface 10b. The guide tab 40 and the abutment surface 14 are disposed on opposing surfaces of the support plate 10.

[0088] In a preferred embodiment, the guide tabs 40 and the reinforcing ribs 30 preferably project from the same surface of the support plate 10. In a preferred embodiment, the guide tabs 40 project perpendicular to the support plate 10 along the vertical direction Z.

[0089] The guide tabs 40 extend around the openings 20, with each opening being surrounded by at least two guide tabs 40, for example, four guide tabs as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, each guide tab 40 has a proximal end 10a fixed to the support structure 10 and a distal end 40b opposite the proximal end 40a. The proximal end 40a extends along one periphery of the opening 20. The proximal end 40a and the distal end 40b may have an arcuate shape such that the guide tabs 40 are cylindrical.

[0090] 2, the guide tabs 40 of the same opening 20 are separated by slits 41. The slits 41 can advantageously extend along a direction perpendicular to the support plate 10. The slits 41 preferably extend from the proximal end 40a to the distal end 40b of the guide tab 40.

[0091] In a preferred embodiment, the height of the reinforcing ribs 30 is equal to or less than the height of the guide tabs 40 .

[0092] 2 and 4, at least some of the reinforcing ribs 30, particularly those that extend parallel to the row of openings 20, such as reinforcing ribs 310a, 310, and / or auxiliary reinforcing rib 32, advantageously integrate a guide tab 40 of one of the openings 20 through which they extend. As a result, one of the guide tabs 40 of an opening 20 adjacent to a reinforcing rib 30 can become part of the reinforcing rib 30. These guide tabs 40 are connected to one another to form the corresponding reinforcing rib 30. It should be noted that the guide tabs 40 that form the reinforcing rib 30 are thicker than the other guide tabs 40.

[0093] The support plate 10 advantageously has a peripheral edge that projects from one of the upper and lower faces 10a, 10b, for example from the upper face 10a, and surrounds the plurality of openings 20. The peripheral edge and the reinforcing ribs 30 project from opposite faces of the support plate 10. However, the peripheral edge and the reinforcing ribs 30 may also project from the same face of the support plate 10. The peripheral edge advantageously projects perpendicular to the support plate 10.

[0094] The peripheral edge preferably extends continuously, i.e. without interruption, around the entire periphery of the support plate 10. As shown in the figures, the peripheral edge may extend from a peripheral rim 11c.

[0095] The holding device 1 preferably consists of a plastic material such as polypropylene (PP). The support plate 10, the reinforcing ribs 30 and / or the guide tabs 40 and / or the peripheral edge are preferably integrally molded.

Claims

1. A holding device (1) configured to support a plurality of medical containers, comprising a support plate (10) and a plurality of reinforcing ribs (30); the support plate (10) having an upper surface (10a), a lower surface (10b) opposite the upper surface (10a), and a plurality of circular openings (20) arranged according to a predetermined pattern, each opening configured to receive one barrel of the medical container; the plurality of reinforcing ribs (30) protrude from at least one of the upper and lower surfaces (10a, 10b) and extend between adjacent ones of the plurality of openings (20) without intersecting the circular opening (20); a holding device (1) comprising: a support plate (10) having a plurality of reinforcing ribs (30) each including at least one diagonal rib (310c) extending diagonally with respect to a longitudinal direction (X) of the support plate (10) from one side to the other of the support plate (10) and between two different pairs of adjacent peripheral openings (20), each opening (20) being surrounded by a chimney (42) protruding from one of the upper or lower faces (10a, 10b) of the support plate (10) so as to guide the insertion of a barrel of a medical container into said opening (20), and wherein the at least one diagonal rib (310c) extends diagonally with respect to a longitudinal direction of the support plate between adjacent chimneys (42) of the plurality of openings (20).

2. 2. The holding device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one reinforcing rib extends from at least one row of peripheral openings to another row of peripheral openings.

3. 3. A holding device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plurality of reinforcing ribs (30) comprise two central ribs (310a, 310b) intersecting each other approximately in the center of the support plate (10).

4. 4. A holding device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the plurality of reinforcing ribs (30) comprises at least one auxiliary rib (32) extending parallel to one of the central ribs (310a, 310b).

5. 5. A holding device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said at least one auxiliary rib (32) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said support plate (10).

6. A holding device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said at least one auxiliary rib (32) is thinner than said central rib (310a, 310b).

7. A holding device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said at least one auxiliary rib (32) is thinner than said diagonal rib (310c).

8. A holding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the chimney (42) comprises at least two guide tabs (40) and a slit (41) is partitioned between the at least two guide tabs (40).

9. A holding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the plurality of reinforcing ribs (30) comprise one or several reinforcing ribs (310a, 310b, 32) formed by adjacent chimneys (42) connected to one another.

10. A holding device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the chimneys (42) forming said one or several reinforcing ribs (310a, 310b, 32) are thicker than the other chimneys (42).

11. A holding device (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the support plate (10) has a peripheral edge portion protruding from one of the upper and lower faces (10a, 10b) and surrounding the multiple openings (20).

12. A holding device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the reinforcing ribs (310c) has a chamfered end (33).

13. 1. An assembly configured to support a plurality of medical containers, comprising: -tab; - at least one holding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and wherein said at least one holding device (1) is housed within said tub.

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