A packing sleeve for use with a safety needle that automatically covers a tip of a needle following removal of the needle from a patient includes a generally hollow body having a longitudinal axis and a distal end and an open proximal end. The body surrounds at least a portion of the safety needle and has at least one track having an activation leg and a releasing leg. The at least one track is in sliding engagement with at least one member of the safety needle such that the motion of a portion of the safety needle relative to the body is dictated by a path the at least one member follows along the respective at least one track. The safety needle is in an initial position when the at least one member is proximate a first end of the activation leg and in an intermediate position when the at least one member is proximate a second end of the activation leg. The releasing leg extends from the second end of the activation leg and allows the at least one member to be slid toward and then removed from the proximal end of the body.
