Syringe nest with hexagonal chimneys and center offset

Abstract

A syringe nest is provided that includes a planar base and a plurality of nesting units extending from and interconnected by the base. Each nesting unit includes a hollow hexagonal body having a first open end and an opposing second open end.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A syringe nest comprising:
 a planar base; and   a plurality of nesting units extending from and interconnected by the base, each nesting unit comprising a hollow hexagonal body having a first open end and an opposing second open end,   wherein the first open end of each body is distal from the planar base and the second open end is proximate the planar base.   
     
     
         22 . The syringe nest of  claim 21 , wherein the nesting units are arranged in a point to point orientation. 
     
     
         23 . The syringe nest of  claim 22 , further comprising voids formed between the nesting units. 
     
     
         24 . The syringe nest of  claim 23 , wherein the voids are triangular shaped voids. 
     
     
         25 . The syringe nest of  claim 24 , wherein an intermediate wall is provided between first and second open ends of each of the triangular voids. 
     
     
         26 . The syringe nest of  claim 21 , wherein the nesting units are arranged in a honeycomb pattern with no voids formed between adjacent nesting units. 
     
     
         27 . A syringe nest comprising:
 a planar base having a first surface and an opposing second surface; and   a plurality of nesting units extending from and interconnected by the base, each nesting unit comprising a hollow hexagonal body having a first open end and an opposing second open end,
 wherein the planar base is positioned at an intermediate position between the first and second open ends, such that a first portion of the body of each nesting unit extends distally from the first surface of the planar base and a second portion of the body of each nesting unit extends distally from the second surface of the planar base. 
   
     
     
         28 . The syringe nest of  claim 27 , wherein the planar base includes a plurality of stiffening members extending from at least one peripheral edge of the planar base toward the plurality of nesting units. 
     
     
         29 . The syringe nest of  claim 28 , wherein the plurality of stiffening members are formed on both the first surface and the second surface of the planar base. 
     
     
         30 . The syringe nest of  claim 21 , wherein each nesting unit includes at least one retention member proximate the first open end. 
     
     
         31 . The syringe nest of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one retention member is formed below a plane of the first open end. 
     
     
         32 . The syringe nest of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one retention member is a radially inwardly extending member. 
     
     
         33 . The syringe nest of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one retention member is at least one of a radially inwardly extending flange, shelf, rib and plurality of circumferentially spaced bumps. 
     
     
         34 . The syringe nest of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one retention member is chamfered. 
     
     
         35 . The syringe nest of  claim 21 , wherein the body of each nesting unit includes a plurality of longitudinally extending slits which separate the body into a plurality of spaced apart portions, at least one of the spaced apart portions being a flexing member. 
     
     
         36 . The syringe nest of  claim 21 , wherein the first open end of each nesting unit includes at least one cam and at least one associated recess, such that a syringe flange contacts and travels over the at least one cam and subsequently comes to rest in the at least one associated recess. 
     
     
         37 . The syringe nest of  claim 36 , wherein the first open end of each nesting unit includes a pair of opposing cams with the at least one recess being formed therebetween. 
     
     
         38 . The syringe nest of  claim 37 , wherein the pair of opposing cams are symmetrical. 
     
     
         39 . The syringe nest of  claim 37 , wherein the pair of opposing cams are asymmetrical inclined surfaces