Packaging tray for medical devices, in particular for caps intended for sealing vials for pharmaceutical use

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging tray (10) for medical devices (100), forming a 3D structure between a first plane and a second plane, and comprising: - a contour (2), extending in the first plane and being provided with peripheral walls (21) extending towards and / or as far as the second plane; - a first plate (3) extending in an intermediate plane arranged between the first plane and the second plane, and defining a plurality of openings (31) delimited by borders, the first plate being secured to the peripheral walls; - a second plate (4) extending in the second plane, and defining a plurality of abutments (41) arranged opposite the openings (31), the second plate being perforated over more than 40% of its surface; and - pillars (5) extending from the first plate to the second plate, so as to secure them locally.

Description

Packaging tray for medical devices, in particular for caps intended to seal vials for pharmaceutical use FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of packaging for medical devices. It relates in particular to a packaging tray adapted for holding, storing and / or transporting caps, stoppers, bottles or syringes, for pharmaceutical use.

[0002] TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is common practice for caps, intended to seal vials after they have been filled with a medical product, to be grouped together on a packaging tray for storage, transport, and handling before use. This group packaging prevents these caps, which are considered medical devices, from being contaminated or damaged by contact and friction between them.

[0004] Document EP3505458 proposes this type of packaging. Caps held by hook systems on the underside of a packaging tray can be stored, transported and then collectively assembled onto bottles, which can also be held by a suitable packaging tray.

[0005] Document EP3967624 also proposes a packaging tray for medical caps. Several trays can be stacked on top of each other and work together to enclose the caps in a compartment. In use, the caps in the top tray can be individually removed to seal each vial; when the top tray is empty, it can be removed from the stack to provide access to the caps in the bottom tray.

[0006] Other conditioning trays exist, notably described in documents US2019 / 0256266 A1, US11286095 B2 and FR3131574 A1.

[0007] For economic and environmental reasons, it remains necessary to further limit the amount of plastic required to manufacture these packaging trays. The flatness, strength, and rigidity of the trays, their stackability, and their reliability in holding caps (or medical devices in general) are nonetheless essential criteria to ensure.

[0008] SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention proposes a packaging tray addressing the above problem. The tray has a highly ventilated 3D structure, which therefore requires little material, but maintains all the expected mechanical performance, due to specific arrangements in its structure.

[0010] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The invention relates to a packaging tray for medical devices, extending along a principal plane, and forming a three-dimensional structure between a first plane and a second plane, both parallel to the principal plane, the first and second planes being separated by a distance correlated to the height of the packaging tray, said tray comprising:

[0012] - a flat contour, extending in the first plane and giving the packaging tray a rectangular shape in the main plane, the flat contour having a thickness, along the axis normal to the main plane, less than or equal to 2mm, the flat contour being provided with peripheral walls, normal to the main plane, extending towards and / or to the second plane, at least one peripheral wall, attached to one side of the flat contour, extending to the second plane;

[0013] - a first plate extending in an intermediate plane arranged between the first plane and the second plane and parallel to the latter, the first plate defining a plurality of orifices delimited by borders, the first plate being attached to the peripheral walls;

[0014] - a second plate extending in the second plane, the second plate defining a plurality of stops arranged opposite the orifices, the second plate being perforated over more than 40% of its surface;

[0015] - pillars extending, normally to the main plane, from the first plate to the second plate, so as to locally secure them.

[0016] According to advantageous and non-limiting features of the invention, which can be taken individually or in any technically possible combination: the orifices occupy more than 80% of the surface of the first plate; three or six pillars are present at the edge of each orifice; the stops of the second plate are arranged in a periodic network of hexagonal shapes, three vertices of each hexagonal shape being centered on three stops opposite three adjacent orifices, and three other vertices of the hexagonal shape being centered on three pillars; each stop takes the form, in the principal plane, of a ring connected by arms to the pillars; each pillar has a cross-section with three branches in the principal plane;The packaging tray includes flexible tabs attached to the border delimiting each orifice of the first plate, each flexible tab having a free end oriented towards the second plate and intended to bear against a medical device placed in an orifice, to hold it immobile between the first plane and the second plane; the free end of a flexible tab includes a boss intended to be in contact with a medical device; the boss is configured so that an under face of said boss, oriented towards the side of the second plate, has a faceted plane forming an angle with the main plane, between 15° and 70°; three flexible tabs, attached to the border delimiting each orifice of the first plate, are intended to bear against a medical device placed in said orifice, to hold it immobile between the first plane and the second plane;the packaging tray is formed from a material chosen from polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate; the thickness, along the axis normal to the principal plane, of the second plate is less than or equal to 1.5mm; the thickness, along the axis normal to the principal plane, of the first plate is less than or equal to 4mm; the second plate is perforated over 60% to 80% of its surface; the orifices have a rounded, oval or hexagonal shape in the principal plane;the packaging tray further includes medical devices of the type of caps disposed in the orifices, and in which: each cap comprises an external body of cylindrical shape, a cage locked in the external body, a stopper held in the cage, and an upper capsule closing one face of the external body, the other face of the external body being open, each cap is entirely contained between an upper surface of the contour and the second plane, or even between the first plane and the second plane; each orifice has defined dimensions such that a functional clearance of the order of 0.5mm to 1mm exists between an external diameter of the cap and a diameter of the orifice or a distance between two opposite edges of the orifice;The capsule of each cap is disposed on the side of the second plate, and it is in contact with flexible tabs when the packaging tray includes said flexible tabs attached to the border delimiting each orifice of the first plate, to hold the cap immobile between the first plane and the second plane; the capsule is disposed on the side of the contour, and only the external body of each cap is in contact with flexible tabs when the packaging tray includes said flexible tabs attached to the border delimiting each orifice of the first plate, to hold the cap immobile between the first plane and the second plane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention which follows with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021] Figures 1, 1, 1 and 1 present four embodiments of a packaging tray according to the present invention, in perspective top view; a cap, an example of the plurality of caps intended to be held in the tray, is also illustrated in the four figures;

[0022]

[0023]

[0024] La, laet la present three of the four aforementioned embodiments of a packaging tray according to the present invention, in side view, in particular along the long side of the tray;

[0025]

[0026] Laet and la present two of the four aforementioned embodiments of a packaging tray according to the present invention, in truncated view along a cutting plane (y,z) normal to the main plane (x,y) in which the tray extends;

[0027]

[0028] Laet and la present two of the four aforementioned embodiments of a packaging tray according to the present invention, in perspective top view;

[0029]

[0030]

[0031] La, laet la present three of the four aforementioned embodiments of a packaging tray according to the present invention, in a zoomed top perspective view;

[0032]

[0033]

[0034] Figures 1, 2, and 3 represent three of the four aforementioned embodiments of a packaging tray according to the present invention, in truncated view along a cutting plane parallel to the main plane (x,y) in which the tray extends, said cutting plane being located just below the intermediate plane on which the first plate of the tray extends; said first plate is thus not visible in the figures, only the elements of the tray present below the cutting plane are visible;

[0035]

[0036]

[0037] La, la and la present three of the four aforementioned embodiments of a packaging tray according to the present invention, in view from below; la also includes a zoom of the tray in view from below;

[0038] This presents an example of a cap for a pharmaceutical bottle; a plurality of such caps can be packaged in a packaging tray according to the invention.

[0039] Presents an enlarged view of a cap held in a compartment of a packaging tray according to the invention, in truncated side view.

[0040] In the descriptive section, the same references on the figures can be used for elements of the same type. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The present invention relates to a packaging tray 10 for medical devices, in particular for caps 100, especially for pharmaceutical use.

[0042] Examples of empty trays 10 (i.e., not accommodating caps 100) are illustrated in figures 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d; an example of a cap 100 is also shown in these figures.

[0043] A cap 100, in the context of the invention, preferably comprises a cylindrical body, which houses an elastomer stopper 104 intended to seal the opening F3 of the neck F2 of a bottle F after it has been filled; the bottle F is usually formed of a cylindrical body F4 and a collar F1 defining the end of the neck F2 ().

[0044] The cap 100 has a closed upper part and is designed to securely stopper and seal the bottle F after it has been filled, for example, with a pharmaceutical product. Advantageously, the cap 100 consists of an outer body 101, an upper cap 102, a cage 103, and the stopper 104 having a head 104a and a foot 104b, as, for example, described in documents EP2464577 or FR3098504.

[0045] Although the description focuses in particular on caps 100 as medical devices, the invention also extends to packaging trays for caps 104, vials F or syringes, for which only the dimensions of the trays 10 and the compartments intended to hold the medical devices need to be adjusted to the type of said devices.

[0046] The conditioning platform 10 extends along a principal plane (x,y) and has a three-dimensional structure between a first plane P1 and a second plane P2, both parallel to the principal plane (x,y). The first P1 and second P2 planes are separated by a distance (h) correlated to the height of the conditioning platform 10. The height of the platform 10 corresponds to the distance h plus the thickness (along the z-axis in the figures) of the contour 2 and, where applicable, plus the thickness of the centering elements 22 (which we will discuss later in the description).

[0047] The caps (or in general, medical devices) 100 are intended to be inserted into the upper face 10a of the tray 10, for storage, and are intended to be extracted from this same upper face 10a for use and potentially direct assembly onto a bottle F.

[0048] The upper face 10a of the packaging tray 10 is preferably oriented upwards when the tray is used to load and package a plurality of caps 100. Such a tray 10 can be placed in a storage container, which is usually sealed with a film (for example, a Tyvek sheet) to prevent contamination of the caps during storage and transport. Several trays 10 can be stacked in the same storage container. The lower face 10b (the face opposite the upper face 10a) of a tray 10 in the upper position is then in contact with the upper face 10a of another tray 10 placed below it.

[0049] It is nevertheless possible to use the conditioning tray 10 (according to certain embodiments), alone or stacked, with the upper face 10a facing downwards. Naturally, the upper face 10a of a tray 10 stacked above it is then in contact with the lower face 10b of another tray 10 placed below.

[0050] The conditioning tray 10 includes the aforementioned contour 2, which extends into the first plane P1 and gives the tray 10 a rectangular shape in the principal plane (x,y). Contour 2 is generally planar and, as its name indicates, defines the edges (periphery) of the tray 10.

[0051] The contour 2 is provided with peripheral walls 21, normal (at approximately 10°) to the principal plane (x,y). The walls 21 extend towards and / or to the second plane P2. Advantageously, at least one peripheral wall 21, attached to one side of the contour 2, extends to the second plane P2. In the example of the platform 10 in the figure, the four peripheral walls 21, labeled 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, attached to the four sides of the contour 2, extend to the second plane P2. In another embodiment of the platform 10, only one of the peripheral walls 21 (labeled 21c in the figure) extends to the second plane P2; the others (labeled 21a, 21b, 21d) extend towards the second plane P2 but do not reach it.According to yet another embodiment of the plate 10, only one (or more) portion(s) 21p of at least one of the peripheral walls 21 extends to the second plane P2; the remainder of the wall 21 does not reach said plane P2. A wall 21 can thus extend to the second plane, but only at certain points along the x or y axis. Regardless of the embodiment, the peripheral walls 21 can be solid, perforated, or equipped with retaining elements such as flexible tabs 6 to help retain a cap 100.

[0052] Advantageously, the thickness, along the axis (z) normal to the principal plane (x,y), of the contour 2 is less than or equal to 2 mm, 1.7 mm, or 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.8 mm and 1.5 mm, for example, for a packaging tray 10 intended to hold more than 40 caps, in particular 100 caps. The thickness of the peripheral walls 21 (in the (x,y) plane) is preferably of the same order.

[0053] Returning to the general description, the conditioning tray 10 also includes a first plate 3 extending in an intermediate plane P3 situated between and parallel to the first P1 and second P2 planes (,). The first plate 3 defines a plurality of orifices 31 delimited by borders 32. The first plate 3 is particularly perforated, as the orifices 31 occupy more than 80%, or even 90%, of its surface area. Adjacent orifices 31 preferentially share a border 32 to promote a high density of orifices in the first plate 3.

[0054] The first plate 3 is fixed to the peripheral walls 21, which are themselves fixed to the contour 2. In the illustrated embodiments, it can be seen that the edges 32 of the orifices 31 arranged around the periphery of the first plate 3 are connected to the peripheral wall 21. In the particular case where the walls 21a, 21b, 21d do not extend to the second plane P2, they therefore extend at least to the intermediate plane P3 to connect to the first plate 3.

[0055] Advantageously, the thickness, along the axis (z) normal to the principal plane (x,y), of the first plate 3 is less than or equal to 4 mm, to 3.5 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 3.5 mm, for example for a packaging tray 10 intended to support more than 40 caps, in particular 100 caps.

[0056] The distance between the first plane P1 and the intermediate plane P3 is greater than the thickness of the first plate 3, so that the edges 32 of the holes 31 are not flush with the first plane P1 but are below, for example by at least 0.5mm, 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, or even by at least 5mm.

[0057] The width of the borders 32, in the main plane (x,y), is preferably less than or equal to 1.5mm, advantageously between 0.8mm and 1.2mm.

[0058] The orifices 31 can have a rounded, oval, hexagonal, or other shape (polygonal, etc.) in the principal plane (x,y). According to the first embodiment ( ), the third embodiment ( ), and the fourth embodiment ( ), the orifices 31 are hexagonal; this makes the plate 10 lighter. According to the second embodiment ( ), they are oval; this makes the plate 10 slightly more rigid.

[0059] Each orifice 31 is designed to accommodate a cap 100, and its dimensions are therefore defined to contain the diameter of the cap 100. Furthermore, they are defined such that a functional clearance of approximately 0.5 mm to 1 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm, exists between the outer diameter of a cap 100 and the diameter of the orifice 31 (when it is rounded) or the distance between two opposite edges 32 of the orifice 31 (when it is hexagonal or polygonal). This allows for the absorption of dimensional variations in the caps 100 and, more importantly, for the precise adjustment of the positioning of the caps 100 in the packaging tray 10 to coincide with the positioning of the bottles F in their packaging tray, in the context of a nest-to-nest assembly, the dimensional tolerance being on the order of a millimeter for said trays (plastics processing).

[0060] The conditioning tray 10 further includes a second plate 4 extending in the second plane P2, on the side of the lower face 10b of the tray 10 (,). This second plate 4 defines a plurality of stops 41 arranged opposite the openings 31 (,,,,,,,). These stops 41 serve to prevent the caps 100, once inserted into the openings 31 on the side of the upper face 10a of the tray 10, from protruding or being extracted on the side of the lower face 10b.

[0061] The second plate 4 is perforated over 40% to 80% of its surface; preferably, it is perforated over more than 60%, or even 70% of its surface.

[0062] Advantageously, the thickness, along the axis (z) normal to the principal plane (x,y), of the second plate 4 is less than or equal to 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm, for example for a packaging tray 10 intended to support more than 40 caps, in particular 100 caps as illustrated.

[0063] The conditioning tray 10 also includes pillars 5 that extend, normally in the principal plane (x,y), from the first plate 3 to the second plate 4, so as to connect them. These pillars 5 form purely local connections, which limit the material and provide a three-dimensional structure that is airy but made rigid by the arrangement and the respective connections between the three elements: the contour 2 with its peripheral walls 21, the first plate 3, and the second plate 4. A thin contour 2 is usable given the rigidity provided by the three "layers" of plates (the contour, the first plate, the second plate), all connected to the peripheral walls 21, and by the connection of the first plate 3 to the second plate 4 by multiple pillars.The offset of the first plate 3, at the level of the intermediate plane P3, not only contributes to the stiffening of the 3D structure (with three "levels") but also allows to limit the amount of material used to manufacture the platform 10, since the height of the pillars 5 is less.

[0064] The pillars 5, which are attached to the edge 32 of an opening 31, are separated from each other. The pillars 5 constitute the only connections between the first plate 3 and the second plate 4.

[0065] The local connections provided by the pillars 5 are visible in figures 6a, 6b and 6c, which represent truncated views along a plane parallel to the main plane (x,y) and located just below the intermediate plane P3: the first plate 3 is thus not apparent.

[0066] Advantageously, three pillars 5 are present at the edge 32 of each orifice 31. This is an interesting compromise between a two-pillar configuration, generally less efficient in terms of platform rigidity, and four pillars, generally less efficient in terms of arrangement and material.

[0067] According to another advantageous mode, six pillars 5 are present at the edge 32 of each orifice 31, as illustrated in the figure. This configuration is particularly favorable for obtaining a uniform flow of material during injection molding of the tray 10; it also promotes the rigidity of the tray.

[0068] A pillar 5 can have different cross-sectional shapes in the principal plane (x,y). Advantageously, as illustrated for the first and third embodiments (,), the cross-section of the pillars 5 has a three-pronged cross shape, consistent with a first plate 3 whose orifices 31 are hexagonal and arranged in a honeycomb pattern; a pillar 5 is located at the junction of the edges 32 of three adjacent orifices 31. Such a shape provides rigidity to the structure.

[0069] Also advantageously, with reference to the second embodiment ( ), the section of the pillars 5 has an annular shape with a faceted perimeter; in the example, three substantially curved facets are illustrated, a shape consistent with a first plate 3 whose orifices 31 are oval in shape (this would also apply to circular orifices).

[0070] Note that the pillars 5 arranged at the extreme periphery of the plateau 10 may possibly have different shapes, in order to adapt and join to the peripheral wall 21 or because the first plate 3 is interrupted.

[0071] Returning to the description of the second plate 4, different stop geometries 41 can be adopted to allow for an opening of said plate 40 between 40% and 80%. For example, the stops 41 can correspond to two (or more) arms extending from the pillars 5 and meeting directly above a central area of ​​the openings 31. Alternatively, as illustrated in Figures 5a, 5b, and 5d, each stop 41 can take the form, in the principal plane (x,y), of a ring connected by arms to the pillars 5 (three or six, in the examples). But the proposed shapes are obviously not exhaustive.

[0072] It is advantageous for the stops 41 of the second plate 4 to be arranged according to a periodic network of hexagonal shapes 42, regardless of the shape of the holes 31 made in the first plate 3. For example, three vertices of each hexagonal shape 42 are then centered on three stops 41 opposite three adjacent holes 31, and three other vertices of the hexagonal shape 42 are centered on three pillars 5. This periodic network of hexagonal shapes 42 greatly enhances the mechanical characteristics of the conditioning platform 10 (namely, flatness, strength, rigidity).

[0073] In the first ( ), second ( ) and fourth ( ) embodiments, the conditioning tray 10 includes flexible tabs 6 attached to the first plate 3, and in particular to the border 32 delimiting each orifice 31 (figures 1a, 1b, 1d, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 5d).

[0074] Each flexible tab 6 includes a free end 61 intended to bear against a cap 100 placed in an orifice 31, to keep it immobile between the first plane P1 and the second plane P2.

[0075] According to these embodiments, the packaging tray 10, loaded with the caps 100, can be used with its upper face 10a oriented upwards or downwards, because the tabs 6 ensure that the caps are held in their compartment (defined between the first plane P1 and the second plane P2, at the level of each orifice 31).

[0076] The tray 10 of the third embodiment () does not have a flexible tab 6. The caps 100 are arranged, via the orifices 31, in the compartments and rest on the stops 41. The tray 10 can then only be used with its upper surface 10a oriented upwards.

[0077] Advantageously, the free end 61 of a flexible tab 6 (first, second, and fourth embodiments) includes a boss designed to contact the cap 100 and to help retain said cap 100 in the tray 10. Concurrently or alternatively, the flexible tabs 6 can extend slightly inward into the space (called compartment) defined between the first 3 and the second 4 plates, aligned with an opening 31; thus, they can bear against the cap 100, which is inserted through the opening 31 into said compartment, and hold it in place. It should be noted that the functional clearance between the dimensions of the opening 31 and the outer diameter of the cap 100, combined with the flexibility of the tabs 6, nevertheless allows for some adjustment of the cap 100's position if it comes into contact with a bottle F, particularly during cap / bottle assembly.

[0078] Preferably, three flexible tabs 6 attached to the edge 32 delimiting each orifice 31 of the first plate 3 are implemented.

[0079] When present, the tabs 6 are therefore fixed to the first plate 3 and have a free end oriented towards the second plate 4. This configuration is particularly advantageous because it allows for the insertion of the cap 100 into the compartment defined by the orifice 31, the pillars 5 and the stop 41, the flexible tabs 6 operating a spreading movement (deflection outwards from the compartment) as the cap 100 passes from the upper face 10a to the stop 41. This configuration can also provide robust retention (synonymous with high extraction force) of the caps 100 in the compartments, without requiring oversized tabs: this will be described in more detail with reference to an example of an implementation of the invention with the caps 100 arranged "upside down" in the tray 10.

[0080] The packaging tray 10 according to the invention provides excellent mechanical properties, due to its three-dimensional structure, ensuring it remains flat and allows for easy and efficient stacking of multiple trays. The highly ventilated, openwork nature of the 3D structure and the thinness of the material constituting the elements of the packaging tray 10 significantly limit the volume of material used in its manufacture. The openwork design of the tray 10 also offers advantages in terms of decontamination, as when a decontaminating fluid is used, it easily reaches the various points of the tray.

[0081] The material forming tray 10 can be chosen from polypropylene, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), etc. An eco-friendly material will be preferred to lower the environmental impact (for example, polypropylene).

[0082] The packaging tray 10 is advantageously produced using a known technique of injection molding or 3D printing.

[0083] The packaging tray 10 also ensures the protection of the cap 100, as the latter is not at risk of coming into contact with other caps due to its placement in a compartment. The total height of the tray 10, along a z-axis normal to the principal (x,y) plane of the tray 10, is significantly greater than the height of the cap 100; typically, their difference is on the order of 0 to 2 mm, preferably 0.1 to 1 mm. For example, for caps 100 with a height of 17 mm, the total thickness of the tray 10 can be approximately 17.2 mm.

[0084] The number of 10 stackable trays in a storage container is thus greatly optimized, and as a result, the capacity of said container is improved.

[0085] Another advantage of the packaging tray 10 according to the invention is that it can accept the caps 100 "upright" or "downside down".

[0086] Recall that each cap 100 preferably comprises a cylindrical outer body 101, a cage 103 locked into the outer body 101, a stopper 104 held in the cage 103, and an upper cap 102 closing one face of the outer body 101, the other face of the outer body 101 being open. As mentioned previously, when a cap 100 is inserted into a compartment, it is entirely contained within it, that is to say, it does not protrude at the level of the upper surface 10a, in particular at the level of the upper surface of the contour 2.

[0087] In the context of this invention, "upside down" means that the upper capsule 102 of the cap 100 is positioned on the side of the upper surface 10a of the tray 10. When the upper capsule 102 of the cap 100 is positioned on the side of the lower surface 10b, its position is said to be "upside down". The tray 10 allows the caps 100 to be stored in either of these positions.

[0088] In the "head down" position, the upper capsule 102 of each cap 100 is positioned against the stop 41 (third embodiment), or in contact with the flexible tabs 6 and potentially with the stop 41 (first, second and fourth embodiment), in a compartment.

[0089] In the specific case of the first, second, and fourth embodiments, the free end 61 of the flexible tabs 6, advantageously provided with a boss, fits into a recess in the transition region between the upper capsule 102 and the external body 101. During the loading of the tray 10, the caps 100 are brought to the side of the upper face 10a of the tray 10 and inserted into the holes 31 "upside down": as the upper capsule 102 passes between the ends 61, the flexible tabs 6 spread slightly apart and return to their original position once the capsule 102 has passed them, fitting into the aforementioned recess. The presence of a stop 41 in each compartment, on the side of the lower surface 10a, secures the vertical movement (along the z-axis) of the caps 100.

[0090] As mentioned previously, the configuration of the flexible tabs 6, one end of which is fixed to the first plate 3 and the other end is free, oriented towards the second plate 4, ensures robust retention of the caps 100 as soon as the boss formed at the free end of each tab is wedged into the recess corresponding to the transition region between the upper capsule 102 and the outer body 101 of a cap 100. Indeed, an extraction force will naturally cause the flexible tabs to tighten towards the inside of the compartment, thus securing the cap 100. This configuration therefore does not require thick, robust tabs to ensure significant mechanical strength; it is thus possible to form thin tabs 6 and reduce the amount of material in the plate 10.

[0091] Advantageously, the boss of each flexible tab 6 is configured such that the lower face 62 of said boss, oriented towards the second plate 4, has a faceted plane forming an angle α with the principal plane (x,y), between 15° and 70°. The angle α is preferably chosen to be greater than or equal to 20°, 25°, or 30°, to avoid forming a self-locking clip. It is preferably chosen to be less than or equal to 60°, 50°, or even 40° to adjust the force required for extracting the cap 100.

[0092] This configuration is obviously not limited to implementation with caps 100 and could be applied to any other medical device for which the boss at the free end 61 of the tab 6 would cooperate with an element of said device.

[0093] In the "upright" position, the outer body 101 of each cap 100 is positioned against the stop 41 (third embodiment), or, in contact with the flexible tabs 6 and potentially with the stop 41 (first, second, and fourth embodiments), within a compartment. In the latter case, only a lower portion (opposite the cap 102) of the outer body 101 is in contact with the flexible tabs 6.

[0094] In the specific case of the first, second, and fourth embodiments, the free end 61 of the flexible tabs 6, advantageously provided with a boss, bears against the external body 101. During the loading of the tray 10, the caps 100 are brought to the side of the upper face 10a of the tray 10 and inserted into the openings 31 "head up": upon the arrival of the external body 101 at the ends 61, the flexible tabs 6 spread slightly apart, thus applying a holding force against said body 101 and allowing the cap 100 to remain in the compartment. The presence of a stop 41 secures the vertical movement (along the z-axis) of the caps 100.

[0095] The stacking of packaging trays 10 according to the invention provides a very compact assembly that increases the capacity of standard storage containers. It can be advantageous (as illustrated in Figures 1, 1, 1, and 1) to form centering or alignment guides 22 on the contour 2, and co-centering guides 23 on the underside 10b of the tray 10. In a stack of trays 10, the centering guides 22 of the lower tray 10 can cooperate with the co-centering guides 23 of the upper tray 10 to assist in positioning the trays one on top of the other and prevent the trays from sliding relative to each other.

[0096] The conditioning tray 10 is illustrated in the figures with one hundred holes 31 for inserting caps 100. Its lateral dimensions can be on the order of a few tens of cm.

[0097] Of course, these dimensional examples are not limiting, and one can consider trays 10 according to the present invention equipped with any number of orifices 31, with dimensions adapted to this number and to the dimension of the caps 100, and more generally to the number and dimensions of medical devices.

[0098] Of course, the invention is not limited to the modes of implementation and examples described, and alternative embodiments may be introduced without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Packaging tray (10) for medical devices (100), extending along a principal plane (x,y), and forming a three-dimensional structure between a first plane (P1) and a second plane (P2), both parallel to the principal plane (x,y), the first and second planes being separated by a distance (h) correlated to the height of the packaging tray (10), said tray (10) comprising: - a planar contour (2), extending in the first plane (P1) and giving the packaging tray (10) a rectangular shape in the principal plane (x,y), the planar contour (2) having a thickness, along the axis (z) normal to the principal plane (x,y), less than or equal to 2 mm, the planar contour (2) being provided with peripheral walls (21), normal to the principal plane (x,y), extending towards and / or to the second plane (P2), at least one peripheral wall (21), integral with one side of the planar contour (2) extending up to the second plane (P2);- a first plate (3) extending in an intermediate plane (P3) arranged between the first plane (P1) and the second (P2) plane and parallel to them, the first plate (3) defining a plurality of orifices (31) delimited by borders (32), the first plate (3) being fixed to the peripheral walls (21); - a second plate (4) extending in the second plane (P2), the second plate (4) defining a plurality of stops (41) arranged opposite the orifices (31), the second plate (4) being perforated over more than 40% of its surface; - pillars (5) extending, perpendicular to the main plane (x,y), from the first plate (3) to the second plate (4), so as to locally fix them together. Packaging tray (10) according to the preceding claim, in which three or six pillars (5) are present at the edge (32) of each orifice (31). Packaging platform (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the stops (41) of the second plate (4) are arranged according to a periodic network of hexagonal shapes (42), three vertices of each hexagonal shape (42) being centered on three stops (41) opposite three adjacent orifices (31), and three other vertices of the hexagonal shape (42) being centered on three pillars (5). Packaging platform (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each stop (41) takes the form, in the principal plane (x,y), of a ring connected by arms to the pillars (5). Packaging tray (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each pillar (5) has a three-pronged cross section in the principal plane (x,y). Packaging tray (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising flexible tabs (6) attached to the edge (32) delimiting each orifice (31) of the first plate (3), each flexible tab (6) comprising a free end (61) oriented towards the second plate (4) and intended to bear against a medical device (100) placed in an orifice (31), to keep it immobile between the first plane (P1) and the second plane (P2). Packaging tray (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the free end (61) of a flexible tab (6) includes a boss intended to be in contact with a medical device (100). Packaging tray (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the boss is configured so that a lower face (62) of said boss, oriented towards the side of the second plate (4), presents a faceted plane forming an angle (α) with the main plane (x,y), between 15° and 70°. Packaging tray (10) according to one of the three preceding claims, in which three flexible tabs (6), attached to the edge (32) delimiting each orifice (31) of the first plate (3), are intended to bear against a medical device (100) placed in said orifice (31), to keep it immobile between the first plane (P1) and the second plane (P2). Packaging tray (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, formed from a material selected from polypropylene and butylene terephthalate. Packaging tray (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness, along the axis (z) normal to the principal plane (x,y), of the second plate (4) is less than or equal to 1.5mm. Packaging tray (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness, along the axis (z) normal to the principal plane (x,y), of the first plate (3) is less than or equal to 4mm. Packaging tray (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising medical devices of the type of caps (100) disposed in the orifices (31), and in which: - each cap (100) comprises an outer body of cylindrical shape, a cage locked in the outer body, a stopper held in the cage, and an upper capsule closing one face of the outer body, the other face of the outer body being open, - each cap (100) is entirely contained between an upper surface of the contour (2) and the second plane (P2), or even between the first plane (P1) and the second plane (P2), - each orifice (31) has defined dimensions such that a functional clearance of the order of 0.5mm to 1mm exists between an outer diameter of the cap (100) and a diameter of the orifice (31) or a distance between two opposite edges (32) of the orifice (31). Packaging tray (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the capsule of each cap (100) is disposed on the side of the second plate (4), and it is in contact with flexible tabs (6) when the packaging tray (10) includes said flexible tabs (6) attached to the border (32) delimiting each orifice (31) of the first plate (3), to keep the cap (100) immobile between the first plane (P1) and the second plane (P2). Packaging tray (10) according to claim 13, in which the capsule is disposed on the side of the contour (2), and only the outer body of each cap (100) is in contact with flexible tabs (6) when the packaging tray (10) includes said flexible tabs (6) attached to the border (32) delimiting each orifice (31) of the first plate (3), to keep the cap (100) immobile between the first plane (P1) and the second plane (P2).

Images