WO2025080657A1

WO2025080657A1 - Package for syringe

Info

Publication number: WO2025080657A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/050491
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jun Soo Kim; Harrison NORTH; Benjamin Ray; Scott J. Gerondale
Original assignee: Amgen Inc
Current assignee: Amgen Inc
Priority date: 2023-10-10
Filing date: 2024-10-09
Publication date: 2025-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-10

Abstract

A package for a syringe. In an implementation, a package for a syringe includes a retainer for carrying a syringe. The retainer includes a plunger panel, a barrel flange retention panel, a barrel panel, and a needle guard panel. The plunger panel includes a first plunger side panel and a second plunger side panel forming a plunger passage. The needle guard panel forms a needle guard passage. The barrel flange retention panel, the barrel panel, and the needle guard panel form a barrel well. A barrel of the syringe is to be disposed in the barrel well and the barrel well is configured to encourage a user to grasp the barrel of the syringe. A plunger rod of the syringe is to be disposed within a dimensional envelope of the plunger passage to deter a user from grasping the plunger rod and a needle guard of the syringe is to be disposed within a dimensional envelope of the needle guard passage to deter a user from grasping the needle guard.

Description

PACKAGE FOR SYRINGE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Priority is claimed to United States Provisional Application No. 63/543,429, filed October 10, 2023, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a package and, more specifically, to a package for one or more syringes such as pre-filled syringes.

BACKGROUND

[0003] A package may be used to house one or more syringes for storage and transport, for example, and can provide for safety, sterility, and usability. Such a package may include protective materials, protective structures, labeling, and/or features for tamper evidence. For example, some syringes may be provided in cartons, sterile blister packs, or sealed pouches that encase the individual syringes. Such packages provide a barrier against environmental factors such as light, heat, dirt, and/or impact. Tamper-evident seals may be integrated into the packaging to indicate that the packaging has been compromised, thereby helping to ensure the integrity of the product.

SUMMARY

[0004] In accordance with a first implementation, a package for a syringe includes a retainer for carrying a syringe. The retainer includes a plunger panel, a barrel flange retention panel, a barrel panel, and a needle guard panel. The plunger panel forms a plunger passage. A dimensional envelope of the plunger passage is configured to receive a plunger rod of the syringe to deter a user from grasping the plunger rod. The needle guard panel forms a needle guard passage. A dimensional envelope of the needle guard passage is configured to receive a needle guard of the syringe to deter a user from grasping the needle guard. The barrel flange retention panel, the barrel panel, and the needle guard panel form a barrel well. The barrel well is configured to receive a barrel of the syringe to encourage a user to grasp the barrel of the syringe.

[0005] In accordance with a second implementation, a package for a syringe includes a carton and a retainer. The carton includes a bottom wall and the retainer is for carrying a syringe and positioned within the carton. The retainer includes a plunger panel, a barrel panel, and a needle guard panel. The plunger panel forms a plunger passage. The plunger panel includes a first plunger side panel and a second plunger side panel between which the plunger passage is defined. A dimensional envelope of the plunger passage is configured to receive a plunger rod of the syringe to deter a user from grasping the plunger rod. The needle guard panel forms a needle guard passage. The needle guard panel includes a first needle guard side panel and a second needle guard side panel between which the needle guard passage is defined. A dimensional envelope of the needle guard passage is configured to receive a needle guard of the syringe to deter a user from grasping the needle guard. The barrel panel is positioned between the plunger panel and the needle guard panel. The first plunger side panel and the second plunger side panel are vertically offset from the barrel panel and the first needle guard side panel and the second needle guard side panel are vertically offset from the barrel panel.

[0006] In further accordance with the foregoing first and/or second implementations, an apparatus and/or method may further comprise or include any one or more of the following:

[0007] In accordance with another implementation, the plunger panel includes a first plunger end panel, a plunger central panel, and second plunger end panel. The plunger central panel includes a first plunger side panel, a plunger central base panel, and a second plunger side panel. The second plunger end panel includes a first panel portion and a second panel portion. The plunger central base panel extending between the first panel portion and the second panel portion.

[0008] In accordance with another implementation, the plunger central panel is positioned between the first plunger end panel and the second plunger end panel and the plunger central base panel is positioned between the first plunger side panel and the second plunger side panel.

[0009] In accordance with another implementation, the plunger central panel includes a first cut and a second cut. The first cut is defined between the first plunger side panel, the first panel portion of the second plunger side panel and the plunger central base panel. The second cut is defined between the plunger central base panel, and the second panel portion and the second plunger side panel.

[0010] In accordance with another implementation, the first plunger side panel, the plunger central base panel, the second plunger side panel, the first panel portion, and the second panel portion form the plunger passage. [0011] In accordance with another implementation, the plunger panel includes a first fold line, a second fold line, and a third fold line. The first fold line is formed between the first plunger end panel and the plunger central panel. The second fold line is formed between portions of the plunger central base panel, and the third fold line is formed between the first plunger side panel and the first panel portion of the second plunger end panel and between the second plunger side panel and the second panel portion of the second plunger end panel.

[0012] In accordance with another implementation, each of the first plunger side panel, the first panel portion, the second plunger side panel, and the second panel portion include a score line.

[0013] In accordance with another implementation, the barrel flange retention panel includes first and second barrel flange panels, a barrel flange base panel, and third and fourth barrel flange panels. The first and second barrel flange panels include a needle retraction assembly passage and the third and fourth barrel flange panels include a barrel passage. The first and second barrel flange panels form a first barrel flange triangle and the third and fourth barrel flange panels form a second barrel flange triangle.

[0014] In accordance with another implementation, the package includes a needle retraction assembly panel. The second plunger end panel, the needle retraction assembly panel, and the first barrel flange triangle form a needle retraction assembly well.

[0015] In accordance with another implementation, the first barrel flange triangle, the barrel flange base panel, and the second barrel flange triangle form a barrel flange well.

[0016] In accordance with another implementation, the needle retraction assembly panel is positioned between the second plunger end panel and the first barrel flange panel and the barrel flange base panel is positioned between the second barrel flange panel and the third barrel flange panel.

[0017] In accordance with another implementation, the retainer includes a fourth fold line, a fifth fold line, a sixth fold line, a seventh fold line, an eighth fold line, and a nineth fold line. The fourth fold line is formed between the second plunger end panel and the needle retraction assembly panel. The fifth fold line is formed between the needle retraction assembly panel and the first barrel flange panel. The sixth fold line is formed between the first barrel flange panel and the second barrel flange panel to enable the first and second barrel flange panels to form the first barrel flange triangle. The seventh fold line is formed between the second barrel flange panel and the barrel flange base panel. The eighth fold line is formed between the barrel flange base panel and the third barrel flange panel. The nineth fold line is formed between the third barrel flange panel and the fourth barrel flange panel to enable the third and fourth barrel flange panels to form the second barrel flange triangle.

[0018] In accordance with another implementation, the needle guard panel includes a first needle guard end panel, a needle guard central panel, and a second needle guard end panel. The first needle guard end panel includes a third panel portion and a fourth panel portion. The needle guard central panel includes a first needle guard side panel, a needle guard central base panel, and a second needle guard side panel. The needle guard central panel extending between the third panel portion and the fourth panel portion.

[0019] In accordance with another implementation, the second barrel flange triangle, the barrel panel, and the first needle guard end panel form the barrel well.

[0020] In accordance with another implementation, the first needle guard side panel, the needle guard central panel, and the second needle guard side panel form the needle guard passage.

[0021] In accordance with another implementation, each of the third panel portion, the first needle guard side panel, the fourth panel portion, and the second needle guard side panel include a score line.

[0022] In accordance with another implementation, the retainer include a tenth fold line, an eleventh fold line, a twelfth fold line, and a thirteenth fold line. The tenth fold line is formed between the barrel panel and the third panel portion and the fourth panel portion. The eleventh fold line is formed between the third panel portion and the first needle guard side panel and between the fourth panel portion and the second needle guard side panel. The twelfth fold line is formed between portions of the needle guard central base panel. The thirteenth fold line is formed between the needle guard central panel and the second needle guard end panel.

[0023] In accordance with another implementation, the package includes a carton and a prefilled syringe. The retainer positioned within the carton, the retainer carrying the pre-filled syringe.

[0024] In accordance with another implementation, the carton includes a front wall, a first inner end wall, and a second inner end wall. The front wall is positioned between the first inner end wall and the second inner end wall. [0025] In accordance with another implementation, the carton includes a first carton fold line and a second carton fold line. The first carton fold line is formed between the front wall and the first inner end wall and the second carton fold line is formed between the front wall and the second inner end wall.

[0026] In accordance with another implementation, the front wall includes an edge and a line of weakness that extends toward the edge.

[0027] In accordance with another implementation, the front wall includes a security perforation.

[0028] In accordance with another implementation, the carton includes the bottom wall, a first outer end wall, a first outer end wall flap, a second outer end wall, and a second outer end wall flap. The bottom wall is positioned between the first outer end wall and the second outer end wall, the first outer end wall is positioned between the bottom wall and the first outer end wall flap, and the second outer end wall is positioned between the bottom wall and the second outer end wall flap.

[0029] In accordance with another implementation, the carton includes a third carton fold line, a fourth carton fold line, a fifth carton fold line, a sixth carton fold line, and a seventh carton fold line. The third carton fold line is formed between the front wall and the bottom wall. The fourth carton fold line is formed between the bottom wall and the first outer end wall. The fifth carton fold line is formed between the first outer end wall and the first outer end wall flap. The sixth carton fold line is formed between the bottom wall and the second outer end wall. The seventh carton fold line is formed between the second outer end wall and the second outer end wall flap.

[0030] In accordance with another implementation, the carton includes a back wall, a third inner end wall, and a fourth inner end wall.

[0031] In accordance with another implementation, the carton includes an eighth carton fold line, a nineth carton fold line, and a tenth carton fold line. The eighth carton fold line is formed between the bottom wall and the back wall. The nineth carton fold line is formed between the third inner end wall and the back wall. The tenth carton fold line is formed between the fourth inner end wall and the back wall.

[0032] In accordance with another implementation, the package includes first adhesive and second adhesive. The first adhesive couples the first inner end wall and the third inner end wall and the first outer end wall. The second adhesive couples the second inner end wall and the fourth inner end wall and the second outer end wall. [0033] In accordance with another implementation, the carton includes a top wall and a top wall flap. The top wall is positioned between the back wall and the top wall flap.

[0034] In accordance with another implementation, the carton includes an eleventh carton fold line and a twelfth carton fold line. The eleventh carton fold line is formed between the back wall and the top wall and wherein the twelfth carton fold line is formed between the top wall and the top wall flap.

[0035] In accordance with another implementation, the top wall includes a security perforation.

[0036] In accordance with another implementation, the package includes third adhesive coupling the front wall and the top wall flap.

[0037] In accordance with another implementation, the package includes fourth adhesive coupling the plunger panel and the carton

[0038] In accordance with another implementation, the package includes fifth adhesive coupling the needle guard panel and the carton.

[0039] In accordance with another implementation, the package includes a pre-filled syringe carried by the retainer and positioned within the carton.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a retainer assembled from a blank in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 2 is a plan view of one implementation of a blank for constructing the retainer of FIG. 1 that is configured to carry a syringe within a carton;

[0042] FIG. 3 is a side view of the retainer of FIG. 1 carrying a pre-filled syringe;

[0043] FIG. 4 is a plan view of one implementation of a blank for constructing a carton in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of one implementation of a carton in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0045] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of another implementation of a carton in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0046] The present disclosure relates to a package for one or more syringes such as one or more pre-filled syringes (i.e., a syringe prefilled with a therapeutic substance). The package is designed and configured to encourage users to remove each syringe from the package by grasping the barrel of the syringe. The package can be further designed and configured to deter users from grasping other aspects of the syringe including, for example, the plunger rod and/or by the needle guard. The package in some forms includes a carton and a retainer that is positioned within the carton to receive, carry, retain, and/or protect the syringe. The retainer, which can sometimes be referred to as a “flute” in the industry, is specifically designed and configured to encourage users to grasp the syringe from the barrel and not the plunger rod and/or needle guard, for example.

[0047] In general, and as will be described in further detail below, FIG. 1 illustrates one implementation of a retainer 100 in accordance with the present disclosure and FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate various implementations of cartons 600, 700 in accordance with the present disclosure. The retainer 100 of FIG. 1 is sized and shaped to be disposed, for example, inside of either of the cartons 600, 700 in FIGS. 5 and 6. When disposed in a carton 600, 700, the retainer 100 can receive a syringe for storage and retention, and a lid of the carton 600, 700 can be closed to protect its contents.

[0048] The retainer 100 can be constructed of a substrate such as a flat piece of paper, cardboard, paper stock, card stock, sheet plastic, sheet metal, etc. In some implementations, the retainer 100 is constructed from a single piece of substrate which is cut and assembled by way of folding, for example, into the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the retainer 100 includes a plurality of passages (e.g., channels, recesses, contours, etc.) for receiving components of the syringe such as the plunger rod and/or the needle guard. The syringe components may be positioned within the passages in a manner that deters users from grasping these components when trying to remove the syringe from the package. The retainer can also form wells that house other components of the syringe such as the barrel, the barrel flange, and/or the needle retraction assembly. Wells are similar to passages in that they can include channels, recesses, contours, etc., defined by the retainer. But wells are distinguished from passages in that wells do not deter users from grasping the components of the syringe retained therein. And in some implementations, the wells may encourage users to grasp the syringe components retained therein. That is, in some implementations, the components of the syringe that are positioned within the wells may be readily accessible to encourage users to remove the syringe from the package by grasping the syringe components positioned within the wells.

[0049] As mentioned above, in some implementations, the retainer 100 of FIG. 1 can be constructed from a single piece of substrate. This single piece of substrate may be referred to herein as a blank 101 , on example of which is depicted in FIG. 2 and discussed below.

[0050] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the retainer 100 assembled from the blank 101 depicted in FIG. 2, in accordance with the present disclosure. The retainer 100 may be sized and configured to carry a 1 milliliter (mL) syringe, a 2.5 mL syringe, as an example, or any other size syringe. The blank 101 is formed of a substrate, as mentioned. The syringe may be pre-filled with a therapeutic substance such as a medication, thereby constituting what may be referred to as a pre-filled syringe. The pre-filled syringe to be carried by the retainer 100 may include a plunger, a needle retraction assembly, a barrel flange, a barrel, and a needle covered by a needle guard in some implementations. The needle retraction assembly may be positioned between the barrel flange and the plunger rod and the barrel may be positioned between the barrel flange and the needle guard. The retainer 100 may be configured in a way to encourage a user to remove the syringe from the retainer 100 by the barrel of the syringe and to not remove the syringe from the retainer 100 by the plunger rod and/or by the needle guard of the syringe.

[0051] The retainer 100 of FIG. 1 includes a plunger rod panel 102, a needle retraction assembly panel 104, a barrel flange retention panel 106, a barrel panel 108, and a needle guard panel 110. As constructed, as shown in FIG. 1 , the plunger panel 102 forms a plunger passage 1 12. Further, when constructed, the barrel flange retention panel 106 forms a needle retraction assembly passage 114, a barrel passage 116, and a barrel flange well 118. The passages 112, 1 14, and/or 116 may use friction to retain the syringe in the retainer 100 as an example.

[0052] The plunger panel 102, the needle retraction assembly panel 104, and the barrel flange retention panel 106 form a needle retraction assembly well 120. The needle guard panel 1 10 forms a needle guard passage 122. The barrel flange retention panel 106, the barrel panel 108, and the needle guard panel 110 form a barrel well 124. The plunger passage 112, the needle retraction assembly passage 114, the barrel passage 116, and the needle guard passage 122 are shown being symmetric about a longitudinal axis 126 of the retainer 100. In other implementations, however, the plunger passage 1 12, the needle retraction assembly passage 1 14, the barrel passage 116, the barrel flange well 118, the needle retraction assembly well 120, the needle guard passage 122, and/or the barrel well 124 may be arranged and configured differently.

[0053] The plunger panel 102 has a first plunger end panel 128, a plunger central panel 130, and a second plunger end panel 132. The plunger central panel 130 includes a first plunger side panel 134, a plunger central base panel 136, and a second plunger side panel 138. The plunger side panels 134 and/or 138 may define protrusions/features that serve to lock the syringe barrel in the retainer 100 as an example. The second plunger end panel 132 has a first panel portion 140 and a second panel portion 142. The plunger central base panel 136 is disposed between the first panel portion 140 and the second panel portion 142 in the implementation shown. The plunger central panel 130 is disposed between the first plunger end panel 128 and the second plunger end panel 132. The plunger central base panel 136 is positioned between the first plunger side panel 134 and the second plunger side panel 138.

[0054] The plunger central panel 136 also has a first cut 144 and a second cut 146. The first cut 144 is defined between the first plunger side panel 134, the first panel portion 140 of the second plunger end panel 132, and the plunger central base panel 136. The second cut 146 is defined between the plunger central base panel 136, the second panel portion 142 of the second plunger end panel 132, and the second plunger side panel 138. The first cut 144 and/or the second cut 146 may be referred to as die cuts because they may be formed in the substrate by a die cutting process.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 1 , upon assembly, the first plunger side panel 134, the plunger central base panel 136, the second plunger side panel 138, the first panel portion 140, and the second panel portion 142 form the plunger passage 1 12. The first plunger end panel 128 and the second plunger end panel 132 form vertical supports for the retainer 100 and the first plunger side panel 134, the plunger central base panel 136, and/or the second plunger side panel 138 form horizonal supports for the retainer 100. The first plunger side panel 134 and the second plunger side panel 138 may be positioned substantially parallel relative to but spaced from one another. The first plunger side panel 134 and the second plunger side panel 138 are vertically offset relative to and/or positioned above the plunger central base panel 136. The first panel portion 140 and the second panel portion 142 are spaced and define an opening into the plunger passage 112.

[0056] The plunger panel 102 has a first fold line 148, a second fold line 150, and a third fold line 152. The first fold line 148 is formed between the first plunger end panel 128 and the plunger central panel 130. The second fold line 150 is formed between portions 154, 156 of the plunger central base panel 138. The third fold line 152 is formed between the first plunger side panel 134 and the first panel portion 140 of the second plunger end panel 132 and between the second plunger side panel 138 and the second panel portion 142 of the second plunger end panel 132. The first plunger end panel 128 and the plunger central panel 130 may be rotated about the first fold line 148 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG. 1. The portions 154, 156 of the plunger central base panel 136 may be rotated about the second fold line 150 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG. 1. The plunger central panel 130 and the second plunger end panel 132 may be rotated about the third fold line 152 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG. 1. FIG. 1.

[0057] Each of the first plunger side panel 134, the first panel portion 140, the second plunger side panel 138, and the second panel portion 142 include a score line 158. The score lines 158 may increase the rigidity of the first plunger side panel 134, the first panel portion 140, the second plunger side panel 138, and the second panel portion 142 in some implementations.

[0058] Still referring to FIG. 1 , the barrel flange retention panel 106 has first and second barrel flange panels 160, 162, a barrel flange base panel 164, and third and fourth barrel flange panels 166, 168. Upon assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the first and second barrel flange panels 160, 162 form a first barrel flange triangle 170 and the third and fourth barrel flange panels 166, 168 form a second barrel flange triangle 172. The retainer 100 may include one or more barrel flange triangles 170, 172 or the barrel flange triangles 170, 172 may be omitted. The first barrel flange triangle 170 and the second barrel flange triangle 172 may be isosceles triangles and may have one angle less than 45 and have two angles greater than 45. For example, one of the angles may be about 35. The needle retraction assembly panel 104 is positioned between the second plunger end panel 132 and the first barrel flange panel 160. The barrel flange base panel 164 is positioned between the second barrel flange panel 162 and the third barrel flange panel 166.

[0059] The first and second barrel flange panels 160, 162 form the needle retraction assembly passage 114 upon assembly and the third and fourth barrel flange panels 166, 168 form the barrel passage 116. The second plunger end panel 132, the needle retraction assembly panel 104, and the first barrel flange triangle 170 form the needle retraction assembly well 120. The first barrel flange triangle 170, the barrel flange base panel 164, and the second barrel flange triangle 172 form the barrel flange well 1 18.

[0060] The retainer 100 includes a fourth fold line 174, a fifth fold line 176, a sixth fold line

178, a seventh fold line 180, an eighth fold line 182, and a nineth fold line 184. The fourth fold line 174 is shown formed between the second plunger end panel 132 and the needle retraction assembly panel 104. The fifth fold line 176 is formed between the needle retraction assembly panel 104 and the first barrel flange panel 160. The sixth fold line 178 is formed between the first barrel flange panel 160 and the second barrel flange panel 162 to enable the first and second barrel flange panels 160, 162 to form the first barrel flange triangle 170 and the seventh fold line 180 is formed between the second barrel flange panel 162 and the barrel flange base panel 164. The eighth fold line 182 is formed between the barrel flange base panel 164 and the third barrel flange panel 166. The nineth fold line 184 is formed between the third barrel flange panel 166 and the fourth barrel flange panel 168 to enable the third and fourth barrel flange panels 166, 168 to form the second barrel flange triangle 172.

[0061] The second plunger end panel 132 and the needle retraction assembly panel 104 are folded about the fourth fold line 174. The needle retraction assembly panel 104 and the first barrel flange panel 160 are folded about the fifth fold line 176. The first barrel flange panel 160 and the second barrel flange panel 162 are folded about sixth fold line 178. The second barrel flange panel 162 and the barrel flange base panel 164 are folded about the seventh fold line 180. The barrel flange base panel 164 and the third barrel flange panel 166 are folded about the eighth fold line 182. The third barrel flange panel 166 and the fourth barrel flange panel 168 are folded about the nineth fold line 184.

[0062] The needle guard panel 110 includes a first needle guard end panel 186, a needle guard central panel 188, and a second needle guard end panel 190. The first needle guard end panel 186 includes a third panel portion 192 and a fourth panel portion 194. The needle guard central panel 188 has a first needle guard side panel 196, a needle guard central base panel 198, and a second needle guard side panel 200. Upon assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the barrel panel 108 and the first needle guard end panel 186 form the barrel well 124. Furthermore, the first needle guard side panel 196, the needle guard central panel 188, and the second needle guard side panel 200 form the needle guard passage 122.

[0063] The first needle guard end panel 186 and the second needle guard end panel 190 form vertical supports for the retainer 100 and the first needle guard side panel 186, the needle guard central base panel 188, and/or the second needle guard side panel 200 form horizonal supports for the retainer 100. The first needle guard side panel 186 and the second needle guard side panel 200 may be positioned within substantially the same horizontal plane and/or positioned substantially parallel relative to but spaced from one another. The first needle guard side panel 186 and the second needle guard side panel 190 are vertically offset relative to and/or positioned above the needle guard central base panel 188. The third panel portion 192 and the fourth panel portion 195 are spaced and define an opening into the needle guard passage 122.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the retainer 100 includes a tenth fold line 202, an eleventh fold line 204, a twelfth fold line 206 (see, FIG. 2), and a thirteenth fold line 208. The tenth fold line 202 is formed between the barrel panel 108, the third panel portion 192, and the fourth panel portion 194. The eleventh fold line 204 is formed between the third panel portion 192 and the first needle guard side panel 196 and between the fourth panel portion 194 and the second needle guard side panel 200. The twelfth fold line 206 (see, FIG. 2) is formed between portions 210, 212 of the needle guard central base panel 198. The thirteenth fold line 208 is formed between the needle guard central panel 188 and the second needle guard end panel 190.

[0065] The barrel panel 108, the third panel portion 192, and the fourth panel portion 194 are rotated about the tenth fold line 202. The third panel portion 192 and the first needle guard side panel 196 and the fourth panel portion 194 and the second needle guard side panel 200 are folded about the eleventh fold line 204. The portions 210, 212 of the needle guard central base panel 198 are folded about the twelfth fold line 206 (see, FIG. 2). The needle guard central panel 188 and the second needle guard end panel 190 are folded about the thirteenth fold line 208.

[0066] Each of the third panel portion 192, the first needle guard side panel 196, the fourth panel portion 194, and the second needle guard side panel 200 includes a score line 158. The third panel portion 192, the first needle guard side panel 196, the fourth panel portion 194, and/or the second needle guard side panel 200 may include a pair of score lines 158 in some implementations. The score lines 158 may increase the rigidity of the third panel portion 192, the first needle guard side panel 196, the fourth panel portion 194, and/or the second needle guard side panel 200 as an example.

[0067] FIG. 2 is a plan view of one implementation of a blank 101 for constructing the retainer 100 of FIG. 1 , for carrying a syringe within a carton. The blank 101 for constructing the retainer 100 is illustrated in its flat configuration and includes the plunger rod panel 102, the needle retraction assembly panel 104, the barrel flange retention panel 106, the barrel panel 108, and the needle guard panel 110.

[0068] The first plunger end panel 128 and the plunger central panel 130 may be rotated into the page about the first fold line 148 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG. 1 . The portions 154, 156 of the plunger central base panel 136 may be rotated out of the page about the second fold line 150 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG. 1. The plunger central panel 130 and the second plunger end panel 132 may be rotated into the page about the third fold line 152 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG. 1 . FIG. 1 .

[0069] The second plunger end panel 132 and the needle retraction assembly panel 104 is folded out of the page about the fourth fold line 174 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG.

1 . The needle retraction assembly panel 104 and the first barrel flange panel 160 may be folded out of the page about the fifth fold line 176 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG. 1 . The first barrel flange panel 160 and the second barrel flange panel 162 may be folded into the page about sixth fold line 178 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG. 1 . The second barrel flange panel 162 and the barrel flange base panel 164 may be folded out of the page about the seventh fold line 180 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG. 1. The barrel flange base panel 164 and the third barrel flange panel 166 may be folded out of the page about the eighth fold line 182 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG. 1. The third barrel flange panel 166 and the fourth barrel flange panel 168 may be folded into the page about the nineth fold line 184 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG. 1.

[0070] The barrel panel 108, the third panel portion 192, and the fourth panel portion 194 are rotated out of the page about the tenth fold line 202 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG.

1 . The third panel portion 192 and the first needle guard side panel 196 and the fourth panel portion 194 and the second needle guard side panel 200 may be folded into the page about the eleventh fold line 204 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG. 1. The portions 210, 212 of the needle guard central base panel 198 may be folded out of the page about the twelfth fold line 206 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG. 1 . The needle guard central panel 188 and the second needle guard end panel 190 may be folded into the page about the thirteenth fold line 208 to occupy the configuration depicted in FIG. 1 .

[0071] Adhesive 214 is shown on the plunger panel 102 and may be used to couple the plunger panel 102 and the carton. The adhesive 214 may be referred to as fourth adhesive. Adhesive 216 is shown on the second needle guard end panel 190 and the adhesive 216 may be used to couple the second needle guard end panel 190 and the carton 502. The adhesive 216 may be referred to as fifth adhesive. The adhesive 214 and/or the 216 may additionally or alternatively be on the plunger central base panel 136, the needle retraction assembly panel 104, the barrel flange base panel 164, the barrel wall 124, and/or the needle guard central base panel 198 to couple the retainer 100 within the carton. [0072] FIG. 3 is a side view of the retainer 100 of FIG. 1 carrying a pre-filled syringe 300. The syringe 300 includes a plunger 302, a needle retraction assembly 304, a barrel flange 306, a barrel 308, and a needle covered by a needle guard 310. The plunger 302 is shown being housed within and/or positioned within a dimensional envelope of the plunger passage 1 12, the needle retraction assembly 304 is housed within the needle retraction assembly well 120, and the barrel flange 306 is housed within the barrel flange well 118. The dimensional envelope of the plunger passage 112 is thus configured to receive the plunger 302. The plunger 302 may be fully positioned within the dimensional envelope of the plunger passage 112 when the plunger passage 1 12 receives the plunger 302. The barrel 308 is housed within the barrel well 124 and the needle guard 310 is housed within and/or positioned within a dimensional envelope of the needle guard passage 122. The barrel well 124 is thus configured to receive the barrel 308 and the dimensional envelope of the needle guard passage 122 is configured to receive the needle guard 310. The needle guard 302 may be fully positioned within the dimensional envelope of the needle guard passage 122 when the needle guard passage 122 receives the needle guard 310. The barrel 308 being housed within the barrel well 124 encourages a user to remove the syringe 300 from the retainer 100 by grabbing the syringe 300 by the barrel 308. The plunger 302 being housed within and/or positioned within the dimensional envelope of the plunger passage 1 12 and the needle guard 310 being housed within and/or positioned within the dimensional envelope of the needle guard passage 122 deters a user from removing the syringe 300 from the retainer 100 by grabbing the syringe 300 by the plunger 302 and/or by the needle guard 310. For example, the top panels 134, 138, 196, 200 are positioned above the plunger rod, etc., thus effectively blocking easy access to the plunger rod. The dimensional envelope of the plunger passage 112 is thus configured receive a plunger 302 to deter a user from grasping the plunger 302. The barrel well 124 is thus configured to encourage a user to grasp the barrel 308, and a dimensional envelope of the needle guard passage 122 is configured to receive a needle guard 310 to deter a user from grasping the needle guard 310.

[0073] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank 500 for constructing a carton 502 in accordance with one implementation of the present disclosure. The carton 102 can have a bottom wall 504. The retainer 100 of FIG. 2 may be positioned within the carton 502 in practice. For example, the plunger central base panel 136, the needle retraction assembly panel 104, the barrel flange base panel 164, the barrel wall 124, and the needle guard central base panel 198 may engage and/or be attached to the bottom wall 504 with an adhesive, for example, when the retainer 100 is positioned within the carton 502. [0074] The blank 500 of the carton 502 includes a front wall 506, the bottom wall 504, a back wall 508, a top wall 510, and a top wall flap 512 in the implementation shown. The top wall 510 may be referred to as a lid. The bottom wall 504 is positioned between the front wall 506 and the back wall 508, the back wall 508 is positioned between the bottom wall 504 and the top wall 510, and the top wall 510 is positioned between the back wall 508 and the top wall flap 512.

[0075] The blank 500 of the carton 502 includes the front wall 506, a first inner end wall 514, and a second inner end wall 516. The front wall 506 is positioned between the first inner end wall 514 and the second inner end wall 516.

[0076] The blank 500 of the carton 502 has a first carton fold line 518 and a second carton fold line 520. The first carton fold line 518 is formed between the front wall 506 and the first inner end wall 514 and the second carton fold line 520 is formed between the front wall 506 and the second inner end wall 516.

[0077] The front wall 506 includes an edge 522 and a line of weakness 524 that extends toward the edge 522 in the implementation shown. The line of weakness 524 is shown being U- shaped but other shapes may prove suitable. The line of weakness 524 may alternatively be omitted. The front wall 506 also has a security perforation 526. The security perforation 526 may be in a different position and/or omitted, however.

[0078] The blank 500 of the carton 502 has the bottom wall 504, a first outer end wall 528, a first outer end wall flap 530, a second outer end wall 532, and a second outer end wall flap 534. The bottom wall 504 is positioned between the first outer end wall 528 and the second outer end wall 532, the first outer end wall 528 is positioned between the bottom wall 504 and the first outer end wall flap 530, and the second outer end wall 532 is positioned between the bottom wall 504 and the second outer end wall flap 534.

[0079] The blank 500 of the carton 502 has a third carton fold line 536, a fourth carton fold line 538, a fifth carton fold line 540, a sixth carton fold line 542, and a seventh carton fold line 544. The third carton fold line 536 is formed between the front wall 506 and the bottom wall 504 in the implementation shown and the fourth carton fold line 538 is formed between the bottom wall 504 and the first outer end wall 528. The fifth carton fold line 540 is formed between the first outer end wall 528 and the first outer end wall flap 530 and the sixth carton fold line 542 is formed between the bottom wall 504 and the second outer end wall 532. The seventh carton fold line 544 is formed between the second outer end wall 532 and the second outer end wall flap 534. [0080] The blank 500 of the carton 502 includes the back wall 508, a third inner end wall 546, and a fourth inner end wall 548 in the implementation shown and has an eighth carton fold line 550, a nineth carton fold line 552, and a tenth carton fold line 554. The eighth carton fold line 550 is shown formed between the bottom wall 504 and the back wall 508, the nineth carton fold line 552 is formed between the third inner end wall 546 and the back wall 508, and the tenth carton fold line 554 is formed between the fourth inner end wall 548 and the back wall 508.

[0081] First adhesive 556 couples the first inner end wall 514 and the third inner end wall 546 upon assembly of the carton 500 and the first outer end wall 528 and second adhesive 558 couples the second inner end wall 516 and the fourth inner end wall 548 and the second outer end wall 532. The first adhesive 556 and/or the second adhesive 558 may be hot glue and/or another type of adhesive. Third adhesive 564 is used to couple the front wall 506 and the top wall flap 512. A user may easily open the carton 502 by tearing along and/or putting pressure on the line of weakness 524 and opening the top wall 510 and top wall flap 512.

[0082] The carton 502 has the top wall 510 positioned between the back wall 508 and the top wall flap 512 and includes an eleventh carton fold line 560 and a twelfth carton fold line 562. The eleventh fold line 560 is formed between the back wall 508 and the top wall 510 and the twelfth carton fold line 562 is formed between the top wall 510 and the top wall flap 512. The top wall 510 includes a security perforation 526 in the implementation shown. The security perforation 526 may be moved and/or omitted.

[0083] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an implementation of a carton 600 in accordance with the present disclosure. The carton 600 is formed from a blank 602 that can be similar to but not identical to the blank 500 of FIG. 4. The carton 600 includes a top wall flap 512 (depicted in an open position) and an indentation 604 between the bottom wall 504 and the front wall 506. The indentation 604 may make it easier to open the carton 600 and/or lift the top wall flap 512 when the top wall flap 512 is in a closed position. The top wall flap 512 also includes a fold line 605 that separates the top wall flap 512 into a first portion 606 and a second portion 608 and a line of weakness 609 that defines a central portion 610 of the top wall flap 512 from side portions 612 of the top wall flap 512. Adhesive may be used to secure the side portions 612 of the top wall flap 512 to the front wall 506.

[0084] The second portion 608 of the top wall flap 512 may be rotated about the fold line 605 when opening the carton 600, for example. The central portion 610 may be separated from the side portions 612 along the line of weakness 609 when opening the carton 600. The central portion 610 may be inserted through the line of weakness 524 on the front wall 506 to enable the carton 502 to be reclosed.

[0085] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of another implementation of another carton 700 in accordance with the present disclosure. The carton 700 is formed from a blank 702 that can be similar to but not identical to the blank 500 of FIG. 4. The carton 700 is similar to the carton 600 of FIG. 5. The top wall flap 512 of the carton 700 is different than the second portion of the top wall flap 512 of the carton 600 of FIG. 6 as examples.

[0086] Further, while several examples have been disclosed herein, any features from any examples may be combined with or replaced by other features from other examples. Moreover, while several examples have been disclosed herein, changes may be made to the disclosed examples without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1 . A package for a syringe, the package comprising: a retainer for carrying a syringe, the retainer comprising: a plunger panel forming a plunger passage, wherein a dimensional envelope of the plunger passage is configured to receive a plunger rod of the syringe to deter a user from grasping the plunger rod; a barrel flange retention panel; a barrel panel; and a needle guard panel forming a needle guard passage, wherein a dimensional envelope of the needle guard passage is configured to receive a needle guard of the syringe to deter a user from grasping the needle guard; the barrel flange retention panel, the barrel panel, and the needle guard panel forming a barrel well, wherein the barrel well is configured to receive a barrel of the syringe to encourage a user to grasp the barrel of the syringe.

2. The package of claim 1 , wherein the plunger panel comprises: a first plunger end panel; a plunger central panel, comprising: a first plunger side panel; a plunger central base panel; a second plunger side panel; and a second plunger end panel comprising a first panel portion and a second panel portion, the plunger central base panel extending between the first panel portion and the second panel portion.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein the plunger central panel is positioned between the first plunger end panel and the second plunger end panel and wherein the plunger central base panel is positioned between the first plunger side panel and the second plunger side panel.

4. The package of any one of claims 2 - 3, wherein the plunger central panel comprises a first cut and a second cut, wherein the first cut is defined between the first plunger side panel, the first panel portion of the second plunger side panel and the plunger central base panel, and wherein the second cut is defined between the plunger central base panel, and the second panel portion and the second plunger side panel.

5. The package of claim 4, wherein the first plunger side panel, the plunger central base panel, the second plunger side panel, the first panel portion, and the second panel portion form the plunger passage.

6. The package of any one of claims 2 - 5, wherein the plunger panel comprises a first fold line, a second fold line, and a third fold line, the first fold line is formed between the first plunger end panel and the plunger central panel, the second fold line is formed between portions of the plunger central base panel, and the third fold line is formed between the first plunger side panel and the first panel portion of the second plunger end panel and between the second plunger side panel and the second panel portion of the second plunger end panel.

7. The package of any one of claims 2 - 6, wherein each of the first plunger side panel, the first panel portion, the second plunger side panel, and the second panel portion comprise a score line.

8. The package of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrel flange retention panel comprises: first and second barrel flange panels comprising a needle retraction assembly passage; a barrel flange base panel; and third and fourth barrel flange panels comprising a barrel passage; wherein the first and second barrel flange panels form a first barrel flange triangle and wherein the third and fourth barrel flange panels form a second barrel flange triangle.

9. The package of claim 8, further comprising a needle retraction assembly panel, wherein the second plunger end panel, the needle retraction assembly panel, and the first barrel flange triangle form a needle retraction assembly well.

10. The package of any one of claims 8 - 9, wherein the first barrel flange triangle, the barrel flange base panel, and the second barrel flange triangle form a barrel flange well.

11 . The package of any one of claims 9 - 10, wherein the needle retraction assembly panel is positioned between the second plunger end panel and the first barrel flange panel and the barrel flange base panel is positioned between the second barrel flange panel and the third barrel flange panel.

12. The package of any one of claims 9 - 11 , wherein the retainer comprises a fourth fold line, a fifth fold line, a sixth fold line, a seventh fold line, an eighth fold line, and a nineth fold line, wherein the fourth fold line is formed between the second plunger end panel and the needle retraction assembly panel, wherein the fifth fold line is formed between the needle retraction assembly panel and the first barrel flange panel, wherein the sixth fold line is formed between the first barrel flange panel and the second barrel flange panel to enable the first and second barrel flange panels to form the first barrel flange triangle, wherein the seventh fold line is formed between the second barrel flange panel and the barrel flange base panel, wherein the eighth fold line is formed between the barrel flange base panel and the third barrel flange panel, and wherein the nineth fold line is formed between the third barrel flange panel and the fourth barrel flange panel to enable the third and fourth barrel flange panels to form the second barrel flange triangle.

13. The package of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the needle guard panel comprises: a first needle guard end panel comprising a third panel portion and a fourth panel portion; a needle guard central panel, comprising: a first needle guard side panel; a needle guard central base panel, the needle guard central panel extending between the third panel portion and the fourth panel portion; and a second needle guard side panel; and a second needle guard end panel.

14. The package of claim 13, wherein the second barrel flange triangle, the barrel panel, and the first needle guard end panel form the barrel well.

15. The package of any one of claims 13 - 14, wherein the first needle guard side panel, the needle guard central panel, and the second needle guard side panel form the needle guard passage.

16. The package of any one of claims 13 - 15, wherein each of the third panel portion, the first needle guard side panel, the fourth panel portion, and the second needle guard side panel comprise a score line.

17. The package of any one of claims 13 - 16, wherein the retainer comprises a tenth fold line, an eleventh fold line, a twelfth fold line, and a thirteenth fold line, the tenth fold line is formed between the barrel panel and the third panel portion and the fourth panel portion, the eleventh fold line is formed between the third panel portion and the first needle guard side panel and between the fourth panel portion and the second needle guard side panel, the twelfth fold line is formed between portions of the needle guard central base panel, and the thirteenth fold line is formed between the needle guard central panel and the second needle guard end panel.

18. The package of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a carton and a pre-filled syringe, the retainer positioned within the carton, the retainer carrying the pre-filled syringe.

19. A package for a syringe, the package comprising: a carton comprising a bottom wall; and a retainer for carrying a syringe and positioned within the carton, the retainer comprising: a plunger panel forming a plunger passage, the plunger panel comprising a first plunger side panel and a second plunger side panel between which the plunger passage is defined, wherein a dimensional envelope of the plunger passage is configured to receive a plunger rod of the syringe to deter a user from grasping the plunger rod; a barrel panel; and a needle guard panel forming a needle guard passage, the needle guard panel comprising a first needle guard side panel and a second needle guard side panel between which the needle guard passage is defined, wherein a dimensional envelope of the needle guard passage is configured to receive a needle guard of the syringe to deter a user from grasping the needle guard; wherein the barrel panel is positioned between the plunger panel and the needle guard panel, wherein the first plunger side panel and the second plunger side panel are vertically offset from the barrel panel and wherein the first needle guard side panel and the second needle guard side panel are vertically offset from the barrel panel.

20. The package of claim 19, wherein the carton comprises a front wall, a first inner end wall, and a second inner end wall, the front wall positioned between the first inner end wall and the second inner end wall.

21 . The package of claim 20, wherein the carton comprises a first carton fold line and a second carton fold line, wherein the first carton fold line is formed between the front wall and the first inner end wall and the second carton fold line is formed between the front wall and the second inner end wall.

22. The package of any one of claims 19 - 21 , wherein the front wall comprises an edge and a line of weakness that extends toward the edge.

23. The package of any one of claims 21 - 22, wherein the front wall comprises a security perforation.

24. The package of any one of claims 19 - 23, wherein the carton comprises the bottom wall, a first outer end wall, a first outer end wall flap, a second outer end wall, and a second outer end wall flap, wherein the bottom wall is positioned between the first outer end wall and the second outer end wall, the first outer end wall is positioned between the bottom wall and the first outer end wall flap, and the second outer end wall is positioned between the bottom wall and the second outer end wall flap.

25. The package of claim 24, wherein the carton comprises a third carton fold line, a fourth carton fold line, a fifth carton fold line, a sixth carton fold line, and a seventh carton fold line, wherein the third carton fold line is formed between the front wall and the bottom wall, wherein the fourth carton fold line is formed between the bottom wall and the first outer end wall, wherein the fifth carton fold line is formed between the first outer end wall and the first outer end wall flap, wherein the sixth carton fold line is formed between the bottom wall and the second outer end wall, and wherein the seventh carton fold line is formed between the second outer end wall and the second outer end wall flap.

26. The package of any one of claims 19 - 25, wherein the carton comprises a back wall, a third inner end wall, and a fourth inner end wall.

27. The package of claim 26, wherein the carton comprises an eighth carton fold line, a nineth carton fold line, and a tenth carton fold line, wherein the eighth carton fold line is formed between the bottom wall and the back wall, wherein the nineth carton fold line is formed between the third inner end wall and the back wall, and wherein the tenth carton fold line is formed between the fourth inner end wall and the back wall.

28. The package of any one of claims 25 - 27, further comprising first adhesive and second adhesive, wherein the first adhesive couples the first inner end wall and the third inner end wall and the first outer end wall, and wherein the second adhesive couples the second inner end wall and the fourth inner end wall and the second outer end wall.

29. The package of any one of claims 25 - 28, wherein the carton comprises a top wall and a top wall flap, wherein the top wall is positioned between the back wall and the top wall flap.

30. The package of claim 29, wherein the carton comprises an eleventh carton fold line and a twelfth carton fold line, wherein the eleventh carton fold line is formed between the back wall and the top wall and wherein the twelfth carton fold line is formed between the top wall and the top wall flap.

31 . The package of any one of claims 28 - 30, wherein the top wall comprises a security perforation.

32. The package of any one of claims 28 - 31 , further comprising third adhesive coupling the front wall and the top wall flap.

33. The package of any one of claims 19 - 32, further comprising fourth adhesive coupling the plunger panel and the carton

34. The package of any one of claims 19 - 33, further comprising fifth adhesive coupling the needle guard panel and the carton.

35. The package of any one of claims 19 - 34, further comprising a pre-filled syringe carried by the retainer and positioned within the carton.