The present disclosure provides a protector device (1) for containers (C), and especially for containers (C), such as bottles or cans, containing beverages. The protector device (1) comprises: a plurality of receptacles (2), each of which is configured to receive and hold a respective container (C). Each of the receptacles (2) is configured to extend at least partially around a circumference or periphery of the respective container and comprises a material that is adapted to isolate the respective container from impacts or shocks.

A tote with a drainage system for evenly distributing water through all four sides is provided. The tote includes a first end wall, a second opposing end wall, a first side wall, a second opposing side wall, and a bottom wall. A bumper extends outward around the periphery of the tote. A plurality of D-shaped drain holes are positioned a first distance above the upper surface of the bottom wall which allow liquid in the tote to drain evenly out of the tote through the bumper.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carrier, the plurality of panels including a plurality of side panels and at least one bottom panel foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, locking features in the at least one bottom panel for at least partially maintaining a formed configuration of the carrier, and a plurality of system engagement features for at least partially receiving a portion of an outer container, each system engagement feature having a plurality of lines of weakening defining a plurality of separably connected sections in the at least one bottom panel.

A tray system includes a first tray having a plurality of stacking units. In one embodiment, each stacking unit forms a lower receptacle for receiving a neck portion of a first bottle, and an upper receptacle for receiving a base portion of a second bottle to be stacked above the first bottle. The lower receptacle has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a sidewall connecting the first end with the second end. The first end forms an opening for receiving a neck of a first bottle into the lower receptacle. The sidewall has a taper that prevents racking. The tray system may also include a second tray and a pallet.

A crate includes a base and a pair of end walls that extend upward from the base. A pair of side walls extend upward from the base between the pair of ends walls. A band extends along the pair of end walls and the pair of side walls. The band includes at least one first partial geometric shape formed in the band adjacent a top edge of the band aligned with at least one second partial geometric shape located adjacent a bottom edge of the band.

A nestable beverage crate includes a base, side walls and end walls. Each side wall includes a plurality of side columns connecting a side upper band to the base. Each end wall includes a plurality of end columns connected an end upper band to the base. The side upper band and the end upper bands each have a plurality of peaks and valleys and are asymmetric, such that adjacent crates will have peaks aligned with valleys and vice-versa. For purposes of preventing shingling, the effective vertical width of the side upper bands and the end upper bands of these two adjacent side walls is the full distance between the upper edge of the peak and the lower edge of the valley, but the nesting height of the crate is only the vertical width of the upper bands.

A tray system includes a first tray having a plurality of stacking units. In one embodiment, each stacking unit forms a lower receptacle for receiving a neck portion of a first bottle, and an upper receptacle for receiving a base portion of a second bottle to be stacked above the first bottle. The lower receptacle has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a sidewall connecting the first end with the second end. The first end forms an opening for receiving a neck of a second bottle into the lower receptacle. The tray system may also include a second tray and a pallet.

Disclosed is a method for inspecting bundles, wherein receiving containers equipped with containers are transported by a first transport device and wherein the containers each have a marking in their bottom regions which unambiguously identifies the containers, wherein an image recording device records at least one image of the bottom regions of the containers located in the receiving container and at least one information is output which is characteristic of the markings arranged on the containers and/or of at least one property of the containers.

A handling system suitable for interaction with both a plurality of containers suitable for carrying hot and cold beverages and a plurality of carriers suitable for carrying a plurality of containers; said plurality of containers comprising a base; a walled portion upwardly extending from said base; and a lid for attachment to said walled portion; said plurality of carriers comprising at least one compartment for receiving lids and at least a second compartment for receiving containers; wherein both said carriers and said containers comprise a remotely interrogatable tag for respectively identifying said carrier and said container; wherein said system further comprises a remote processing module; and a plurality of points of interaction with said remotely interrogatable tags which provide one or more of the following factors: a date and time stamp of an interaction, an identification of the point, an identification of an individual interacting with the system and an identification of the container or carrier which interacts with said system; and a communication link for dispatching signals representative of said factors to said remote processing module.

A low depth tray for bottles is provided which includes a first pair of opposed walls, a second pair of opposed walls attached to the first pair of opposed walls to form a wall structure, and a base attached to the wall structure. At least one interior column projects upwardly within the wall structure, where the interior column has a height less than the height of bottles loaded in the tray. A plurality of interior divider walls of double-walled construction project upwardly from the base and extend between the one or more interior columns and the wall structure. Together, the divider walls, interior columns, base, and outer wall structure define a plurality of bottle retaining pockets, where each pocket includes at least one divider wall and is sized to receive a single bottle therein.