Medical product delivery trays and packaging systems

Abstract

To provide an improved tray, packaging system, and packaging method.SOLUTION: A transport tray (20) is for a medical product (50). The tray (20) includes multiple receiving spaces (21) for the purpose of each receiving a single medical product (50). The underside of the tray (20) has multiple caps, and the caps are provided and sized so that a cap (25) of the tray (20) seals the receiving space of an identical, second tray when the tray (20) is stacked on the second tray. A packaging system (100) includes: a container (10) that has an opening part, a bottom part (10a), and a circumference wall (10b); a laminated body formed by multiple trays (20); and a porous lid (40) that seals the top end of the circumference wall (10b) of the container (10) and closes the container. The packaging method also includes a vacuuming step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to trays and packaging systems for packaging, delivering, and dispensing medical products. The present invention also relates to a method of packaging medical products. More specifically, the present invention relates to the packaging of stoppers for closing medical vials for the purpose of distribution.

Background Art

[0002] This type of stopper is usually delivered in large quantities and is either poured into a vibratory bowl feeder or simply placed on a tray and manually or automatically placed one by one on the vial by a machine to close it.

[0003] When the stopper is intended to close a medical vial, these delivery solutions are not appropriate. In this case, there must be no contamination, particularly particle contamination, between the stopper and the vial. However, without special care, particles are likely to be generated by the contact and friction between the stoppers themselves or between the stopper and the surface of the tray or vibratory bowl feeder, and the particles may be found on the stopper and then inside the vial. This can have very serious consequences when the vial is used to contain a medical fluid that is drawn out by a syringe, as particles may then be found inside the syringe and subsequently injected into the patient's body.

[0004] Therefore, it is important to have a solution for packaging and delivering vial stoppers, and more generally medical or packaged products, that makes it possible to limit the generation of particles.

[0005] Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose trays and packaging systems that make it possible to store various types of medical products (syringes, vials) individually. These medical products cannot come into contact with each other, thus reducing the generation of particles. More specifically, Patent Document 1 requires reducing the contact surface area between the medical product and the surface of the tray in order to reduce the friction area. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Publication No. 2753550 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Publication No. 10064787 [Patent Document 3] European Patent Publication No. 2464577 [Patent Document 4] European Patent Publication No. 2464580 [Overview of the project]

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a tray, a packaging system, and a packaging method that are different from and improved upon the prior art described above.

[0008] To achieve this objective, the present invention aims to provide a delivery tray for medical supplies, comprising a bottom surface and a top surface, wherein the top surface has multiple receiving spaces, each for receiving a single medical supply.

[0009] According to the present invention, the underside of the tray has a plurality of caps, which are arranged and have defined dimensions such that when the trays are stacked on the same second tray, the caps of the trays close the receiving space of the second tray.

[0010] According to other advantageous and non-limiting features of the present invention, the following can be selected individually or in any technically feasible combination: Each receiving space is separated laterally by a partition perpendicular to the top surface of the tray. - Each cap is separated laterally by a wall perpendicular to the bottom surface of the tray. - The tray caps are positioned along the receiving space of the tray referred to as the first tray, and their dimensions are determined such that they close the receiving space of the second tray, which is identical to that of the first tray and is located below it, by combining or arranging the partitions of the receiving space of the second tray and the opposing walls of the caps of the first tray adjacent to each other. Each receiving space has an inner surface, and the inner surface of each receiving space is provided with at least one lateral support element that supports and restricts the lateral movement of the medical device within the receiving space. Each receiving space has a solid bottom formed by the top surface of the tray, and each cap has a solid bottom formed by the bottom surface of the tray. Each cap is equipped with a vertical support element to support and restrict the vertical movement of medical supplies placed in the receiving space of a second tray on which a tray is stacked. - Each receiving space has a perforated bottom, and each cap has a perforated bottom due to the presence of an opening in the tray centered at the bottom of each receiving space, and the opening associated with the receiving space has dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the medical product intended to occupy the receiving space. - The upper part of the receiving space is deformable.

[0011] In another embodiment, an object of the present invention is a packaging system for medical products, - A container having an opening, a bottom, and surrounding walls, - A laminate formed by multiple trays as described above, the laminate placed inside the container, - A porous lid that seals and closes the upper end of the surrounding wall of the container, The objective is to propose a packaging system that includes this.

[0012] According to other advantageous and non-limiting features of the present invention, the following can be selected individually or in any technically feasible combination: - The packaging system further includes a cover that is placed on top of the stack of trays and closes the receiving space of the top tray of the stack. - The cover is a rigid plate with multiple caps on its underside that can close off the receiving space of the top tray of the stack. - The cover consists of multiple strip-shaped members, each equipped with a cap that can close off the receiving space of the top tray of the laminate. - The strip-shaped members and caps are made of flexible material. - Each strip-shaped member includes a bend region formed between each cap. - The receiving space of the top tray of the stack is closed by a single stopper. - The bottom of the container is equipped with bosses that are designed to fit into the cap of the bottom tray of the stacked structure. - The container is placed in at least one impermeable bag under vacuum.

[0013] In yet another embodiment, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for packaging medical items, comprising the following steps: - A step of providing a container having an opening, a bottom, and a surrounding wall, - The step of placing the bottom tray at the bottom of the container as described above, - A step of placing at least one additional tray as described above in order to form a stack of trays in a container, wherein the cap of the additional tray closes the receiving space of the tray directly below it, - The step of sealing the upper end of the surrounding wall of the container with a porous lid, - The step of placing the container in at least one impermeable bag, - The step of placing the bag under vacuum.

[0014] According to other advantageous and non-limiting features of the present invention, the following can be selected individually or in any technically feasible combination: - The lid is secured to the container by welding it to the upper edge of the surrounding wall. - The packaging method includes a step aimed at placing a cover on the top tray of the laminate. - The lid further seals the cover. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, which is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of the packaging according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a delivery tray according to the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows the interrelationship in a stack of two trays in the receiving space according to the present invention. [Figure 4a] FIG. 4a shows a cover according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4b] FIG. 4b shows a cover according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4c] FIG. 4c shows a cover according to the third embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows two stacked delivery trays according to the present invention, and the receiving space of the tray has a solid bottom. [Figure 6a] FIG. 6a shows two stacked delivery trays according to the present invention, and the receiving space of the tray has a perforated bottom. [Figure 6b] FIG. 6b shows two stacked delivery trays according to the present invention, and the receiving space of the tray has a perforated bottom.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Overview of the Packaging System As shown in Figure 1, the packaging system 100 according to the present invention includes a container 10 and a stack formed by a plurality of identical delivery trays 20, each tray having a receiving space 21 and stacked parallel to the bottom 10a of the container 10 and a porous lid 40 positioned at the opening of the container 10 to close the container. The packaging system 100 may also include a cover 30 positioned on the top tray 20" of the stack. The container 10, including the trays 20 and closed by the porous lid 40, is intended to be placed in at least one airtight bag (and generally two of these bags) from which the air has been removed to place the entire assembly under vacuum.

[0018] For clarity, in the following explanation, the term "top tray 20''" refers to the tray 20 located furthest from the bottom 10a of the container 10 in the stacked structure, and the term "bottom tray 20'" refers to the tray located closest to the bottom 10a.

[0019] Each tray 20 contains multiple medical supplies 50, each individually stored in one of the tray 20's receiving spaces 21, without contact between the medical supplies. The term "medical supplies 50" means any type of medical item that must be kept sterile and / or uncontaminated and free from particulate contamination. These are stoppers intended to seal vials in this description and the examples shown, but could easily be other types of medical supplies such as syringes or vials. The shape and volume of the receiving spaces 21 are, of course, adapted to accommodate the medical supplies 50. As will become apparent in the following description, stacking trays 20 within a container 10 can isolate the medical supplies 50 placed therein, thereby sealing the receiving spaces 21 and limiting the risk of particulate contamination.

[0020] In this regard, it should be noted that the medical product 50 cannot be placed in the top tray 20" of the laminate. In this case, the top tray 20" serves only to close off the receiving space of the tray directly below it in the laminate. As an alternative to this possible state, and as already mentioned, to close off the receiving space, a cover 30 can be placed on the top tray 20" of the laminate. This cover 30 can take various forms as presented in the following description.

[0021] Container description The container 10 is a hollow packaging element intended to receive a tray 20 on which medical supplies 50 are placed. The container 10 comprises an opening, a bottom 10a, and a surrounding wall 10b that defines its overall shape. The surrounding wall 10b may have shoulders, in particular, to allow the container 10 to be handled by automated equipment. Advantageously, the container 10 has a parallelepiped shape to optimize the space required to store a certain number of medical supplies 50. The dimensions of the container 10 are selected according to the number of medical supplies 50 to be packaged. These dimensions may conform to standards or specifications to facilitate use on an industrial scale. The container 10 can be formed from a plastic material, such as a styrene-based polymer such as polypropylene, amorphous polyethylene terephthalate, or polystyrene.

[0022] In the illustrated example, the bottom 10a of the container 10 is provided with bosses 11 that allow the bottom tray 20' to be sandwiched and / or centered, which is made possible, for example, by fitting these bosses to ridges located on the underside of the tray 20'. These ridges may constitute, for example, caps, which are described in detail in later parts of this disclosure. In this way, the bottom tray 20' (and the entire stack of trays) is fixed within the container 10, friction between the tray 20' and the container 10 is limited, and thus particle generation is prevented.

[0023] The bottom 10a of the container 10 may optionally be provided with height-adjusting pads (not shown) on which the bottom tray 20' is placed. These pads adjust the height of the tray stack so that the top tray 20'' (or cover 30, if present) is always flush with the level of the opening of the container 10 and the sealing lid 40, regardless of the height of the tray units 20. In fact, the height of the tray units may vary depending on the size of the medical supplies 50.

[0024] Delivery Tray Description The tray 20 stack in Figure 1 is composed of multiple trays, all of which are identical to one another, and an example thereof according to the present invention is shown in Figure 2. Each tray 20 includes an upper surface 20a and a lower surface 20b.

[0025] The top surface 20a is provided with a plurality of receiving spaces 21, each intended to receive a single medical item 50, in order to prevent contact between two medical items 50. The receiving spaces 21 are typically arranged in rows on the top surface of the tray 20. Each tray receiving space 21 has a bottom 21a formed by the top surface 20a of the tray 20 and an opening 21b for inserting the elements 50. Each receiving space 21 has a lateral extent defined by a partition 22 perpendicular to the top surface 20a of the tray 20, which defines its shape. This space can be any shape, such as circular, hexagonal, or rectangular, adjusted to the shape and / or size of the medical items 50 that the receiving space 21 is intended to accommodate. The partition 22 is solid so that each medical item 50 is isolated laterally when placed in the receiving space 21.

[0026] At least one flexible lateral support element 23, such as a flexible projection 23, can be provided on the inner surface of the partition 22, that is, the surface facing inward into the receiving space 21. This support element 23 makes it possible to hold the medical device 50 within the receiving space 21 and restrict its lateral movement. This reduces the possibility of friction between the medical device 50 and the partition 22, as well as the risk of particle generation. The flexible nature of the lateral support element 23 allows the receiving space 21 to be used for medical devices 50 of different dimensions, and thus can take into account dimensional differences that may exist even if all of these medical devices are identical to each other.

[0027] Advantageously, the receiving space 21 is provided with at least one fastener 24 to prevent widespread contact between the medical product 50 and the bottom 21a of the receiving space 21. This fastener 24 limits the friction surface with the bottom and reduces particle generation. The fasteners can be formed by defined narrow ribs on the bottom 21a of the receiving space 21, for example, three of these ribs, or by periodic supports, for example, three of these supports.

[0028] The bottom surface 20b of the tray 20 has a plurality of caps 25, the number of which is typically equal to the number of receiving spaces 21 located on the top surface 20a of the tray 20. Each cap 25 is positioned on the bottom surface 20b so as to coincide with a receiving space 21. Here, the caps 25, like the receiving spaces 21, are separated by walls 26 and have dimensions complementary to the dimensions of the receiving spaces 21, so that when the first tray 20 is stacked on a second tray identical to the first tray, the caps 25 of the first tray 20 can close the receiving spaces of the second tray on which they overlap, for example, by combination (Figure 1). The walls 26 defining the caps 25 are perfectly aligned with the partitions 22 defining the receiving spaces 21, so that the receiving spaces are closed by positioning the walls 26 of the first tray 20 with their ends touching the partitions 22 of the second tray 20 directly below it in the stack. As a result, the receiving space 21 of the second tray 20 is closed by the contact between the partition 22 of the receiving space 21 and the wall 26 of the first tray 20 cap 25, which is placed on the second tray 20 and faces the space (Figure 5). The wall 26 is solid so as to laterally isolate each of the medical supplies 50 when placed in the receiving space 21 closed by the cap 25 of the upper tray 20. Each cap 25 is also defined by a bottom 25a formed by the lower surface 20b of the associated tray 20.

[0029] As already mentioned, the cap 25 of the bottom tray 20' in the laminate also allows the tray to be assembled by attaching it to the boss 11 on the bottom 10a of the container 10 (Figure 1).

[0030] When the receiving space 21 is closed by the fit, as is clearly seen in Figure 3, the internal dimensions of the cap 25 are conveniently larger than the external dimensions of the receiving space 21 in order to define the possible friction area between the cap 25 and the outer surface of the receiving space 21 and the partition of the receiving space 21. In other words, the wall 26 of the cap 25 surrounds the partition 22 of the receiving space 21 from the outside and is in contact with the outer surface of the partition 22. This prevents particles from being generated inside the receiving space 21 while there is friction between the wall 26 and the partition 22 of the receiving space 22. Advantageously, a small lateral play, typically between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, is provided between the wall 26 defining the cap 25 and the partition 22 defining the receiving space 21 to prevent the trays 20 from interlocking during stacking, which would make subsequent access to the medical supplies held in the trays difficult.

[0031] In particular, according to the first modification shown in Figures 1 and 5, each receiving space 21 has a solid bottom 21a formed by the upper surface 20a of the tray 20, and each cap 25 has a solid bottom 25a formed by the lower surface 20b of the tray 20. When two trays 20 are stacked, the medical supplies 50 (e.g., stoppers) placed in the receiving space 21 of the lower tray 20 are completely isolated from each other and protected from potential particulate contamination that may occur during transport of the packaging system 100 or when the receiving space is open.

[0032] According to the second modification shown in Figures 6a and 6b, each receiving space 21 has a perforated bottom 21a, and each cap 25 also has a perforated bottom 25a due to the presence of an opening 28 in the tray 20, which is centered at the bottom 21a of each receiving space 21. Furthermore, the opening 28 associated with the receiving space 21 has dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the medical item 50 to occupy that receiving space 21, thereby allowing the upper outer surface of the medical item 50 to close the opening 28. The lower part of the medical item 50 is in contact with the bottom 21a of the receiving space 21.

[0033] This second modification is advantageous in that it limits the amount of material used to manufacture the tray 20. This is particularly suitable for the medical product 50 in the form of a stopper 51 with a fixed cap 52, as shown in Figures 6a and 6b. The stopper 51 is typically made of an elastomer material and has a head and a foot intended to be inserted into the neck of the vial (when in use). The fixed cap 52 surrounds the stopper 51 and is intended to be gripped on the underside of the ring rim of the vial (when in use) when the foot of the stopper 51 is fully inserted into the neck of the vial: The fixed cap 52 includes a retaining member which can be stopped below the ring portion to secure the stopper 51 to the vial. The fixed cap 52 also includes means to ensure that the stopper 51 remains in the cap 52 while being stored and transported within the packaging system 100. Non-limiting examples of this type of medical product 50 can be found in Patent Document 3 or Patent Document 4.

[0034] The fixing cap 52 of the medical device 50 may include a coating 52a that forms the upper outer surface of the medical device 50. As shown in Figures 6a and 6b, it is this upper outer surface 52a that closes the opening 28 and allows medical devices 50 in the same row (i.e., directly above each other in the stacked tray 20) to be isolated from each other. In particular, the stopper 51 of the medical device 50, which constitutes the most sensitive part with respect to contamination, is completely isolated in the receiving space 21 of the tray 20 by the following: - The partition 22 of the receiving space 21 of the tray 20 is combined with or adjacent to the opposing wall 26 of the cap 25 of the upper tray. - The perforated bottom 25a of the cap 25 of the upper tray is closed by the upper outer part 52a of the fixing cap 52 of the medical product 50 placed in the receiving space 21 of the tray 20, and potentially, - The perforated bottom 21a of the receiving space 21 is closed by the upper outer part 52a of the fixing cap 52 of the medical product 50 placed in the tray below the tray 20.

[0035] In the specific case of the bottom tray 20' closest to the bottom 10a of the container 10, the opening 28 of the perforated bottom 21a of the receiving space 21 of that tray 20' can be closed by providing an additional cap or seal to the bottom 10a of the container 10, or the opening 28 can be left open.

[0036] According to a third modification which combines the first and second modifications described above, only a portion (at least one) of the receiving space 21 of the tray 20 may have a perforated bottom 21a, while the others have a solid bottom 21a.

[0037] Returning to the overview, it is possible and convenient to provide vertical support elements 27 (shown in the form of flexible tabs 27 in Figure 3) on at least some of the caps 25 of the tray 20 in order to maintain and restrict the vertical movement of the medical supplies 50 placed in the receiving space of the tray below. This reduces friction associated with the movement of the medical supplies 50 within the receiving space 21. As with the lateral support elements 23, the flexible nature of the vertical support elements 27 allows the receiving space 21 to be used for items 50 of different dimensions and / or to take into account variations in the dimensions of these items.

[0038] Advantageously, the upper part of the receiving space 21, i.e., the upper end of the partition 22, is deformable. In the example in Figure 3, the upper end of the partition 22 has a pointed shape. The compressive force acting on the upper end of the partition 22 during stacking of trays 20 results in deformation of the upper end of the partition by crushing, thereby compensating for defects in the flatness of the trays 20. This makes it possible to properly close all receiving spaces in the trays, in particular, during the subsequent vacuuming process of the containers.

[0039] The tray can be made from plastic material, such as polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomer, or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

[0040] Each tray 20 is advantageously provided with a peripheral gripping rim 20c which may be positioned on the lateral extensions of the upper 20a and lower 20b surfaces, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3. Alternatively, as seen in Figures 5, 6a, and 6b, the peripheral gripping rim 20c may be positioned on the lateral extension of the upper end of the partition 22 of the receiving space 21.

[0041] Cover description The term "cover" is used to refer to any element placed on the top tray 20" of the stack, in the container 10, to close off the receiving space. This prevents the top tray 20" from being empty, as previously mentioned, and without the medical supplies 50.

[0042] According to the first embodiment shown in Figure 4a, the cover 30 can be a rigid plate 30 with a plurality of caps 32 on its underside that can, for example, be combined to close the receiving space 21 of the bottom tray 20'. Therefore, these caps 32 are identical to the caps 25 of the tray 20 in their shape, dimensions, and arrangement on the underside of the plate 30. The rigid plate 30 and the caps 32 can be made of the same material as that which forms the tray 20, and the plate can have similar dimensions to the tray.

[0043] In a modified version of this embodiment, the plate may consist of a plurality of individual strip-shaped members 30' intended to cover and close each row of receiving spaces 21 in the uppermost tray 20''. These strip-shaped members 30' can be fixed to the porous lid 40, for example, by welding, so that when the lid 40 is removed (when opening the packaging system 100), the receiving spaces 21 in the uppermost tray 20'' are opened. In this embodiment, where the strip-shaped members 30' are rigid, they are preferably positioned perpendicular to the removal direction of the porous lid 40 to facilitate the removal of the porous lid 40.

[0044] According to the second embodiment shown in Figure 4b, the cover 30 is composed of a flexible plate or a plurality of flexible strip members 30', and its underside is provided with a cap 32 similar to that of the tray 20. Similar to the first embodiment, the strip members 30' are configured to close the rows of receiving spaces 21 of the top tray 20” of the laminate. To impart or improve the flexibility of the strip members 30', the strip members 30' can be formed by relatively narrow bending regions 33 interconnected with relatively wide support regions that support the caps 32.

[0045] The flexible strip members 30' and the cap 32 may be formed from a flexible material, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer. This second embodiment is particularly advantageous when the flexible plate 30 or strip member 30' is fixed to the lid 40 that closes the container 10. The receiving space 21 of the top tray 20” of the laminate placed in the container is opened when the lid is removed, allowing immediate access to the medical supplies 50 stored in the receiving space 21 of the top tray 20”. If the strip members 30' are sufficiently flexible, they can be positioned without specifying an orientation with respect to the opening direction of the lid 40.

[0046] According to the third embodiment shown in Figure 4c, the cover 30 may also be provided so as to be implemented by a plurality of single caps 30”, each of which is positioned in the receiving space of the top tray 20”, to close them. They may be soft caps or hard caps.

[0047] Lid description The porous lid 40 is intended to be sealed to the upper edge of the wall 10b of the container 10, for example by plastic welding, once the container is filled with the medical supplies 50 and optionally a tray 20 carrying the cover. The porous lid is intended to keep the medical supplies 50 clean and prevent particles from entering the container 10. The air porosity of the lid 40 allows for the extraction of air from the container during the subsequent vacuuming step. The lid can be made from, for example, Tyvek®, a material commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry.

[0048] As already described with respect to the two embodiments of the cover 30, if preparations have been made for placing the cover 30 in the container on the top tray 20" of the laminate, the porous lid can also seal the cover 30 at the same time as sealing the upper end of the wall 10b of the container 10, for example by welding.

[0049] To enable this, the dimensions of the elements of the packaging system 100 are such that the exposed surface of the cover 30 (in any of the selected embodiments) fits snugly over the upper edge 10 of the container wall when the cover is placed on the top tray 20" of the tray stack.

[0050] Packing instructions To minimize contamination by particles and maintain the sterility that the medical product 50 can achieve, the various steps described below are preferably carried out in a controlled environment.

[0051] The first tray 20', which is the bottom tray 20' of the laminate, is placed on the bottom 10a of the container 10 so that the cap 25 on the lower surface 20b of the first tray 20' is aligned with the boss 11 on the bottom 10a of the container 10 (if present). The medical product 50 is then, or pre-arranged, placed in the receiving space 21 of the first tray 20'.

[0052] Next, the second tray 20 is placed on the first tray 20'. The cap 25, positioned on the underside of the second tray, closes the receiving space 21 of the first tray 20'. The medical supplies 50 are placed in each receiving space 21 of the second tray 20 before and after this operation. This operation is repeated for as many times as there are trays 20 to be placed in the container 10, and until the last tray 20'' is placed and forms the top tray 20'' of the stack.

[0053] If the cover 30 is not provided, the last tray 20" is left empty, meaning that no medical supplies are placed in its receiving space 21.

[0054] Otherwise, the cover 30 is placed on the upper surface 21a of the top tray 20" of the laminate to close its receiving space 21 in which the medical supplies are pre-placed. As already mentioned, this cover can be formed by a plate with a cap and thus integrally placed on the top tray 20". Alternatively, the cover can be a plurality of flexible or rigid, strip-shaped members 30' with caps, arranged in a row on the top tray 20" to close the receiving space 21, or a single form of cap 30" placed in each receiving space 21. Optionally, combinations of cover options can be used to close the receiving space 21 of the top tray 20".

[0055] Next, the porous lid 40 is placed on the top tray 20" or cover 30 and then secured to the upper end of the wall 10b of the container 10, and optionally to a flexible plate 30 or strip member 30', and / or to a single cap 30" if present.

[0056] In the next step, the container 10, with its opening closed by a porous lid 40, is placed in at least one airtight bag (and preferably two bags for safety reasons), and vacuuming is performed on the bag before it is sealed. Vacuuming the assembly allows the various components of the assembly 100 to be isolated vertically, and as a result, each receiving space 21 can be closed individually. Any shortcomings regarding the flatness of the tray 20 and cover 30 are compensated for by the deformable nature of the partitions 22 of the receiving spaces 21 and the relative flexibility of the tray 20. Vacuuming also allows the surrounding walls 10b of the container 10 to be deformed to press against the edge of the tray 20, thereby isolating the various components of the assembly 100 horizontally. Thus, vacuuming allows for limiting friction between the various elements of the assembly 100, and as a result, it allows for limiting particle generation due to friction by isolating the vertical and horizontal movement of the elements.

[0057] Opening the packaging system To open the packaging system and access the medical supplies packaged therein, the container 10, including the stack of trays 20, is first removed from the bag. Next, the lid 40 is removed, exposing the cover 30, if present. The cover 30, for example, if it is in the form of a rigid plate, is pulled out of the container using a suction cup, exposing the receiving space 21 of the top tray 20. If the cover is in the form of a rigid or flexible strip sealed by the lid 40, opening this lid will inevitably remove the cap from the receiving space 21 without any additional operation. The medical supplies 50 can then be removed individually or in rows, manually and / or automatically by machine. When the top tray 20 is empty and has no medical supplies 50, the tray is also removed, exposing the receiving space 21 and medical supplies 50 of the trays 20 below. These operations are repeated until all medical supplies 50 stored in the container 10 have been removed.

[0058] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0059] This specification describes a single type of receiving space separated by partitions, but other shapes and configurations can also be imagined. Receiving spaces can be placed, for example, within cells to optimize the space within a container, and the inner surface of a partition in one receiving space forms the outer surface of a partition in another receiving space. Receiving spaces can also correspond well to recesses formed in a tray, or they can be a combination of recesses and partitions.

[0060] Finally, this specification proposes that the cap be attached to the receiving space be done from the outside in order to position a potential friction area on the outer surface of the receiving space, although of course the reverse is also possible. In this case, since the external dimensions of the cap 25 are smaller than the internal dimensions of the receiving space 21, the cap 25 is attached from the inside.

Claims

1. A delivery tray (20) for medical supplies (50), wherein the tray (20) includes a bottom surface (20b) and a top surface (20a), the top surface (20a) having a plurality of receiving spaces (21) each receiving one medical supply (50), and the tray (20) further comprises the medical supplies. The tray (20) has a lower surface (20b) having a plurality of caps (25), and when the trays (20) are stacked on the same second tray, each cap (25) of the tray (20) can close the receiving space (21) of the second tray by combining or aligning with the partition (22) of the receiving space (21) of the second tray (20) and the wall (26) of the cap (25) of the tray (20). A delivery tray (20) characterized in that, due to the presence of an opening (28) of the tray (20) centered at the bottom (21a) of at least one of the receiving spaces (21), at least one of the receiving spaces (21) has a perforated bottom (21a), the opening (28) has dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the medical supplies (50) intended to accommodate the receiving spaces (21), and when the trays (20) are stacked on the same second tray, the opening (28) of the tray (20) is closed by the medical supplies (50) occupying the receiving spaces of the same second tray.

2. The tray (20) according to claim 1, wherein each receiving space (21) has an inner surface, and the inner surface of each receiving space (21) is provided with at least one lateral support element (23) that supports and restricts the lateral movement of the medical product (50) within the receiving space (21).

3. The tray (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each cap (25) is provided with a vertical support element (27) for supporting and restricting the vertical movement of medical products (50) placed in the receiving space of the second tray on which the tray (20) is stacked.

4. The tray (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper part of the receiving space (21) is deformable.

5. A packaging system (100) for medical products (50), - A container (10) having an opening, a bottom (10a) and a surrounding wall (10b), - A laminate formed by a plurality of trays (20) according to claim 1 to 4, wherein the laminate is placed inside the container (10), - A porous lid (40) that seals the upper end of the surrounding wall (10b) of the container (10) and closes the container, A packaging system (100) characterized by including the following.

6. The packaging system (100) according to claim 5, further comprising a cover (30) positioned on the stack of trays and closing the receiving space (21) of the uppermost tray (20") of the stack.

7. The packaging system (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the cover (30) is a rigid plate having a plurality of caps (32) on its underside that can close the receiving space (21) of the uppermost tray (20") of the laminate.

8. The packaging system (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the cover (30) is composed of a plurality of strip-shaped members (30') each having a cap (32) that can close the receiving space (21) of the uppermost tray (20'') of the laminate.

9. The packaging system (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the strip-shaped member (30') and the cap (32) are formed of a flexible material.

10. The packaging system (100) according to either 8 or 9, characterized in that each of the strip members (30') includes a bent region (33) formed between the respective caps (32).

11. The packaging system (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the receiving space (21) of the uppermost tray (20") of the laminate is closed by a single stopper (30").

12. The packaging system (100) according to any one of 5 to 11, characterized in that the bottom (10a) of the container (10) is provided with a boss (11) configured to fit the cap (25) of the bottom tray (20') of the laminate.

13. The packaging system (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the container (10) is placed in at least one sealed bag under vacuum.

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