Patent Publication Number: US-2023159211-A1

Title: Reconfigurable beverage crate

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Beverage crates are typically designed for a particular beverage container (e.g. bottle or can) size and configuration. The interior volume defined by the base and walls of the crate is constant, whether the beverage crate is a nestable crate, collapsible crate, or a stackable full-depth crate. Sometimes, a beverage crate can accommodate a small number of beverage container variations, e.g. a taller bottle and a shorter bottle both having the same body diameter. 
     SUMMARY 
     A beverage crate includes a base and a plurality of walls extending upward from the base. The base together with the plurality of walls define a container interior for receiving beverage containers. By reconfiguring the crate, the storage volume of the container interior is selectively adjustable to accommodate different size beverage containers. 
     Thus, the same crate could be used for different size beverage containers. The crate could be used to ship a first size bottle to a store, then returned to the warehouse or distribution center, reconfigured and loaded with a second size bottle. 
     In some embodiments disclosed herein, the beverage crate includes at least one spacer movable between a stowed position in which the storage volume of the container interior is larger and a deployed position in which the storage volume of the container interior is smaller. 
     Some of the embodiments disclosed herein are collapsible crates and some are disclosed as nestable crates; however, it should be noted that the movable spacers disclosed in any of these embodiments could be implemented in either collapsible crates, nestable crates, or stackable full-depth crates. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the beverage crate according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the beverage crate of  FIG.  1    with the spacers pivoted downward in the deployed position. 
         FIG.  3    is an enlarged view of an interior corner of the crate of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is an enlarged view of the interior corner, showing the spacers of the crate of  FIG.  1    in the deployed position. 
         FIG.  5    shows the crate of  FIG.  1    in a collapsed position. 
         FIG.  6    is a top view of the collapsed crate of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a side view of the collapsed crate of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  8    is an end view of the collapsed crate of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view showing a plurality of the collapsed crates of  FIG.  1    stacked on one another. 
         FIG.  10    is a side view of the stack of crates of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  11    is an end view of the stack of collapsed crates of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  12    is a top view of the crate of  FIG.  1    with the spacers in the stowed position. 
         FIG.  13    is a side view respective of the crate of  FIG.  12   . 
         FIG.  14    is an end view respective of the crate of  FIG.  12   . 
         FIG.  15    is a top view of the crate of  FIG.  1    loaded with bottles while the spacers are in the stowed position. 
         FIG.  16    is a side view of the crate and bottles of  FIG.  15   . 
         FIG.  17    is an end view of the crate and bottles of  FIG.  15   . 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of the crate and bottles of  FIG.  15   . 
         FIG.  19    is a top view of the crate of  FIG.  1    with the spacers in the deployed position. 
         FIG.  20    is a side view of the crate of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  21    is an end view of the crate of  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  22    is a top view of the crate of  FIG.  1    with the spacers in the deployed position and loaded with smaller bottles. 
         FIG.  23    is a side view of the crate and bottles of  FIG.  22   . 
         FIG.  24    is an end view of the crate and bottles of  FIG.  22   . 
         FIG.  25    is a perspective view of the crate and bottles of  FIG.  22   . 
         FIG.  26    is a perspective view of a beverage crate according to a second embodiment with the spacers in a stowed position. 
         FIG.  27    shows the beverage crate of  FIG.  26    with the spacers in a deployed position. 
         FIG.  28    is a perspective view of a beverage crate according to a third embodiment. 
         FIG.  29    shows the beverage crate of  FIG.  28    in a second configuration with a reduced storage volume compared to that of  FIG.  28   . 
         FIG.  30    is a collapsed view of the crate of  FIG.  28   . 
         FIG.  31    is an end view of the collapsed crate of  FIG.  30   . 
         FIG.  32    is a side view of the collapsed crate of  FIG.  30   . 
         FIGS.  33 ,  34 , and  35    show perspective, end and side views of a plurality of the collapsed crates of  FIG.  30    stacked on one another. 
         FIGS.  36 - 40    schematically show the sequence of reconfiguring of the crate from the configuration of  FIG.  29    to the configuration of  FIG.  30    (or vice versa). 
         FIGS.  41 - 43    show a plurality of smaller bottles that are received reasonably snugly within the crate. 
         FIGS.  44 - 46    show perspective, side and end views of the crate with fewer bottles received therein than in  FIG.  41   . 
         FIG.  47    is a perspective view of the crate and bottles of  FIG.  41   . 
         FIG.  48    is a perspective view of the crate and bottles of  FIG.  44   . 
         FIG.  49    is a top view of the crate of  FIG.  28   . 
         FIG.  50    is a side view of the crate of  FIG.  49   . 
         FIG.  51    is an end view of the crate of  FIG.  49   . 
         FIG.  52    is a top view of the crate of  FIG.  29    with the spacer rails facing interior of the crate. 
         FIG.  53    is a side view of the crate of  FIG.  52   . 
         FIG.  54    is an end view of the crate of  FIG.  52   . 
         FIG.  55    is a perspective view of a crate according to a fourth embodiment. 
         FIG.  56    shows the crate of  FIG.  55    with the spacers pivoted upward to a deployed position. 
         FIG.  57    shows the crate of  FIG.  55    in a collapsed position. 
         FIG.  58    is a top view of the crate of  FIG.  57   . 
         FIG.  59    is a side view of the collapsed crate of  FIG.  58   . 
         FIG.  60    is an end view of the collapsed crate of  FIG.  58   . 
         FIG.  61    is a top view of the crate of  FIG.  55    showing the spacers in the stowed position in the recesses in the base. 
         FIG.  62    is a side view of the crate of  FIG.  61   . 
         FIG.  63    is an end view of the crate of  FIG.  61   . 
         FIG.  64    is a top view of the crate of  FIG.  56    with the spacers in the deployed position against the end walls and side walls. 
         FIG.  65    is a side view of the crate of  FIG.  64   . 
         FIG.  66    is an end view of the crate of  FIG.  64   . 
         FIG.  67    is a perspective view of a crate according to a fifth embodiment with the spacers in the stowed or retracted position. 
         FIG.  68    shows the crate of  FIG.  67    with the spacers pivoted downward to a deployed position. 
         FIG.  69    shows the crate of  FIG.  67    with the side walls and end walls collapsed onto the base. 
         FIG.  70    is a top view of the crate of  FIG.  69    in the collapsed position. 
         FIG.  71    is a side view of the collapsed crate of  FIG.  69   . 
         FIG.  72    is an end view of the collapsed crate of  FIG.  69   . 
         FIG.  73    is a top view of the crate of  FIG.  67    with the spacers in the retracted position. 
         FIG.  74    is a side view of the crate of  FIG.  73   . 
         FIG.  75    is an end view of the crate of  FIG.  73   . 
         FIG.  76    is a top view of the crate of  FIG.  68    with the spacers in the deployed position. 
         FIG.  77    is a side view of the crate of  FIG.  76   . 
         FIG.  78    is an end view of the crate of  FIG.  76   . 
         FIG.  79    shows an interior corner of a collapsible crate according to a sixth embodiment with the spacers in the deployed position. 
         FIG.  80    shows the interior corner of the crate of  FIG.  79    with the spacers pivoted downward to a stowed or retracted position. 
         FIG.  81    shows the interior corner of the crate of  FIG.  79    in the collapsed position. 
         FIG.  82    shows an exterior view of the corner of the crate of  FIG.  81   . 
         FIG.  83    shows the interior corner of the crate of  FIG.  79    with the spacers deployed and with a plurality of beverage containers therein. 
         FIG.  84    is a top view of the crate of  FIG.  83   . 
         FIG.  85    shows a collapsible crate according to a seventh embodiment. 
         FIG.  86    shows the crate of  FIG.  85    with the spacers pivoted downward. 
         FIG.  87    shows the crate of  FIG.  85    in a collapsed position. 
         FIG.  88    shows the crate of  FIG.  85    with the spacers in the retracted position and larger beverage containers stored therein. 
         FIG.  89    shows the crate of  FIG.  85    with the spacers in the deployed position and smaller beverage containers stored therein. 
         FIG.  90    is an exterior view of the crate and beverage containers of  FIG.  88    with the spacers in the retracted position. 
         FIG.  91    is an exterior view of the crate and beverage containers of  FIG.  89    with the spacers in the deployed position. 
         FIG.  92    shows an optional ramp that could be added to the base of some embodiments to automatically retract the spacer when the wall is collapsed onto the base. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS.  1 - 25    show a bottle crate  10  according to a first embodiment. In this embodiment, the crate  10  is a collapsible crate  10 . The crate  10  includes a base  12 , sidewalls  14  extending upward from side edges of the base  12 , and end walls  16  extending upward from end edges of the base  12 . The sidewalls  14  and end walls  16  are hingeably connected to the base  12 , as is known, and are selectively latched to one another, as is also well-known. 
     A spacer  18  is pivotably connected to each end wall  16 . The spacer  18  is generally U-shaped, having short arms pivotably connected to the end walls  16  and extending upward to connect to an elongated cross bar extending across most of the end wall  16 . In the example shown, the spacer  18  is pivotably connected adjacent the upper end of each end wall  16 . The cross bar of the spacer  18  can be accessed via a pair of notches  22  formed in the upper edge of each end wall  16 . 
     A side spacer  20  is pivotably mounted to each side wall  14  in a similar manner. The side spacers are accessible via notches  24  formed in upper edges of the side walls  14 . The spacers  18 ,  20  are shown in  FIG.  1    in the stowed or retracted position where they are received within recesses formed in the end wall  16  and side walls  14 , respectively, and do not project into the interior of the crate  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the spacers  18 ,  20  can be pivoted downward to their deployed position, as shown. In this position, the spacers  18 ,  20  project inward from the end walls  16  and side walls  14 , respectively into the interior of the crate  10 . The spacers  18  project toward one another. The spacers  20  project toward one another. The spacers  18 ,  20  project inward over the base  12 . As compared to the stowed position of  FIG.  1   , in the deployed position, the spacers  18 ,  20  reduce the available storage volume of the interior of the crate  10  available to receive beverage containers. 
       FIG.  3    is an enlarged view of an interior corner of the crate  10  of  FIG.  1   , showing the spacers  18  and  20  in the stowed position.  FIG.  4    is an enlarged view of the interior corner, showing the spacers  18 ,  20  in the deployed position. 
       FIG.  5    shows the crate  10  in a collapsed position. In the collapsed position, the end walls  16  are pivoted down onto the base  12 . The sidewalls  14  are pivoted down onto the end walls  16  and out to the base  12 . As is known, in the collapsed position, the empty crate  10  can be shipped and stored more efficiently. 
       FIG.  6    is a top view of the collapsed crate  10  of  FIG.  5   .  FIG.  7    is a side view of the collapsed crate  10 .  FIG.  8    is an end view of the collapsed crate  10 .  FIG.  9    is a perspective view showing a plurality of the collapsed crates  10  stacked on one another.  FIG.  10    is a side view of the stack of crates  10  of  FIG.  9   .  FIG.  11    is an end view of the stack of collapsed crates  10  of  FIG.  9   . 
       FIG.  12    is a top view of the crate  10  with the spacers  18 ,  20  in the stowed position.  FIGS.  13  and  14    are side and end views, respectively of the crate  10  of  FIG.  12   . 
       FIG.  15    is a top view of the crate  10  loaded with bottles  8  while the spacers  18  are in the stowed position. The diameter of the bodies of the bottles  8  is such that the bottles  8  fit reasonably snugly between the sidewalls  14  and between the end walls  16 .  FIGS.  16  and  17    are side views and end views of the crate  10  and bottles  8  of  FIG.  15   , respectively. 
       FIG.  18    is a perspective view of the crate  10  and bottles  8  of  FIG.  15   . Again, the spacers  18 ,  20  are in the stowed position. The bottles  8  are received in the interior of the crate  10  in a 4×6 array. 
       FIG.  19    is a top view of the crate  10  with the spacers  18 ,  20  in the deployed position. As shown, the spacers  18 ,  20  project into the interior of the crate  10  and reduce the interior dimensions of the crate  10 .  FIGS.  20  and  21    are side and end views, respectively of the crate  10  of  FIG.  19   . 
       FIG.  22    is a top view of the crate  10  with the spacers  18 ,  20  in the deployed position and loaded with smaller bottles  9  (i.e. the bodies of the bottles  9  have a smaller diameter). As shown, the bottles  9  fit reasonably snugly between the spacers  18  and between the spacers  20 . The smaller bottles  9  are received in the crate  10  interior in a 4×6 array. 
     The spacers  18 ,  20  permit the crate  10  to accommodate bottles  8 ,  9  of different sizes (i.e. body diameters). Alternatively, the deployed spacers  18 ,  20  could reconfigure the crate  10  to accommodate a lesser number of larger bottles than the retracted spacers  18 ,  20  (e.g. larger diameter bottles in a 3×5 array). 
       FIGS.  23  and  24    are side and end views of the crate  10  and bottles  9  of  FIG.  22   .  FIG.  25    is a perspective view of the crate  10  and bottles  9  of  FIG.  22   . 
       FIGS.  26 - 27    show a crate  110  according to a second embodiment. The crate  110  includes a base  112  having side walls  114  extending upward from side edges of the base  112  and end walls  116  extending upward from end edges of the base  112 . In this embodiment, a plurality of laterally extending spacers  118  (two spaced-apart rows with two spacers  118  in each row) are stowed in recesses formed in the base  112  and extend generally from one side wall  114  to the other side wall  114 . Similarly, longitudinally extending spacers  120  are stored in recessed in the base  112  and extend generally from one end wall  116  to the other end wall  116  (again, two rows of two spacers  120  in each row). The spacers  118 ,  120  are connected to the base  112  by hinges. 
       FIG.  27    shows the crate  110  with the spacers  118 ,  120  in the deployed position. In each case, each adjacent pair of spacers  118  are pivoted toward one another upward out of the recess in the base  112  until they are generally back to back. Similarly, the longitudinally extending spacers  120  are also pivoted upward in adjacent pairs to be back to back. In this manner, larger bottles could be stored in the crate  110  when the spacers  118 ,  120  are in the stowed position of  FIG.  26    (or a larger number of smaller bottles). When the spacers  118 ,  120  are pivoted to the deployed position of  FIG.  27   , bottles are received between the spacers  120  and one of the side walls  114  and between the spacers  118  and one of the end walls  116 . In the deployed position of  FIG.  27   , smaller bottles can be accommodated in the crate  110  (or a lesser number of larger bottles). 
       FIGS.  26  and  27    show a nestable crate, in which the base  112  side walls  114  and end walls  116  are integrally molded as a single piece of plastic, and when empty, portions of the side walls  114  and end walls  16  could be nested in an identical crate  110  stacked thereon. It should be noted that the spacers  118 ,  120  deployed from and stowed in the base  112  could also be implemented in a collapsible crate. 
       FIGS.  28 - 54    show a collapsible crate  210  according to a third embodiment. Referring to  FIG.  28   , the crate  210  includes a base  212  having side walls  214  pivotably connected to side edges of the base  212  by hinges and having end walls  216  pivotably connected to end edges of the base  212  by hinges. Each side wall  214  includes a first surface  224 , which in the configuration of  FIG.  28   , is an interior surface  224 . Each side wall  214  also includes a second surface  226 , which in the configuration of  FIG.  28    is an exterior surface  226 . The second surface  226  of each side wall  214  includes a plurality (in this case two) spacer rails  228 , upper and lower spacer rails  228 . Each end wall  216  has a first surface  230 , which in the configuration of  FIG.  28    is an interior surface  230 . Each end wall  216  further includes a second surface  232 , which in the configuration of  FIG.  28    is an exterior surface  232 . 
     The crate  210  can be reconfigured as shown in  FIG.  29    so that the second surface  226  of each side wall  214  faces interior of the crate  210  and the first surface  224  faces exterior of the crate  210  and such that the second surface  232  of each end wall  216  faces interior of the crate, while the first surface  230  of each end wall  216  faces exterior of the crate  210 . In this configuration, the spacer rails  228  of the side walls  214  project inward of the crate  210 , occupying interior space of the crate  210 . In this configuration the spacer rails  228  project over the base  212 . In the configuration of  FIG.  29   , the second surfaces  226  are closer to one another than were the first surfaces  224  in  FIG.  28   . This reduces the storage volume of the interior of the crate  210  (for smaller bottles or for fewer larger bottles). Optionally, the end walls  216  could also provide different interior dimensions between the two configurations in a similar manner (i.e. with their own spacer rails). 
     As shown in  FIG.  30   , the crate is collapsible to a flat, shipping and storage configuration with the side walls  214  pivoted outward to be generally parallel to the base  212  and the end walls  216  to be pivoted outward generally parallel to the base  212 . 
       FIG.  31    is an end view of the collapsed crate  210  of  FIG.  30   .  FIG.  32    is a side view of the collapsed crate  210  of  FIG.  30   .  FIGS.  33 ,  34  and  35    show a plurality of the collapsed crates  210  stacked on one another. 
       FIGS.  36 - 40    schematically show the sequence of reconfiguring the crate  210  from the configuration of  FIG.  29    to the configuration of  FIG.  30    (or vice versa). As shown, the side walls  214  and end walls  216  are unlatched and then pivoted outward approximately 180 degrees until they are reconfigured with the interior and exterior surfaces of the walls  214 ,  216  switched. As shown in  FIGS.  29  and  30   , this ability to reconfigure the crate  210  can be used to move the spacer rails  228  from an exterior of the crate to an interior of the crate to reduce the dimension of the interior of the crate  210  to accommodate different size and/or a different number of bottles. 
     For examples, as shown in  FIG.  41 - 43   , a plurality of smaller bottles  9  are received reasonably snugly within the crate  210 , with the spacer rails  228  facing the exterior of the crate  210 . 
       FIGS.  44 - 46    a lesser number of larger bottles  8  are received in the crate  210  in the configuration in which the spacer rails  228  are facing interior of the crate  210 . In this manner both size bottles  8 ,  9  can be accommodated reasonably snugly within the same crate  210  in different configurations. 
       FIG.  47    is a perspective view of the crate  210  and bottles  9  of  FIG.  41   . 
       FIG.  48    is a perspective view of the crate  210  and bottles  8  of  FIG.  44   . 
       FIG.  49    is a top view of the crate  210  configured with the spacer rails  228  facing exterior of the crate  210 .  FIGS.  50  and  51    are side and end views of the crate of  FIG.  49   . 
       FIG.  52    is a top view of the crate  210  with the spacer rails  228  facing interior of the crate  210 .  FIGS.  53  and  54    are side and end views, respectively, of the crate  210  of  FIG.  52   . 
       FIGS.  55 - 66    show a collapsible beverage crate  310  according to a fourth embodiment. The crate  310  includes a base  312  having side walls  314  pivotably connected to side edges and end walls  316  pivotably connected to end edges. End spacers  318  are pivotably connected adjacent lower edges of the end walls  316  and can be pivoted down to their stowed position in a recess  319  in the base  312  as shown in  FIG.  55   . Side spacers  320  are pivotably connected adjacent lower ends of the side walls  314  and can be stowed in recesses  321  formed in the base  312 , as shown. Interior surfaces of the end walls  316  include a plurality of recesses  330  for partially receiving bottles. Likewise, the side walls  314  each include a plurality of recesses  332  for partially receiving bottles. The recesses  330 ,  332  are generally portions of a cylinder with a vertical axis (perpendicular to the base  312 ). 
     Referring to  FIG.  56   , the spacers  318 ,  320  can be pivoted upward to a deployed position as shown in  FIG.  56   . In the deployed position, the end spacers  318  are positioned in front of at least some of the recesses  330  formed on the interior surface of the end walls  316 . The spacers  320  are also positioned in front of the recesses  332  on the side walls  314 . In this matter, the effective interior dimensions of the crate  310  are reduced to the extent that the spacers  318  block the recesses  330  and to the extent that the spacers  320  block the recesses  332 , plus the thickness of the spacers  318 ,  320 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  57   , the end walls  316  can be collapsed onto the base  312  and the side walls  314  can be collapsed onto the end walls  316  and base  312 .  FIG.  58    is a top view of the crate  310  in the collapsed position.  FIGS.  59  and  60    are side and end view of the collapsed crate  310 . 
       FIG.  61    is a top view of the crate  310  showing the spacers  318 ,  320  in the stowed position in the recesses  319 ,  321 , respectively in the base  312 . As shown, the recesses  330 ,  332  are exposed to the interior of the crate  310 .  FIGS.  62  and  63    are side and end views of the crate  310  of  FIG.  61   . 
       FIG.  64    shows the crate  310  with the spacers  318 ,  320  in the deployed position against the end walls  316  and side walls  314 , respectively. In this position, the spacers  318 ,  320 , block the recesses  330 ,  332 , respectively, thereby reducing the effective interior dimensions of the crate  310 .  FIGS.  65  and  66    are side and end views of  310  of  FIG.  64   . 
       FIGS.  67 - 78    show a collapsible beverage crate  410  according to a fifth embodiment. The crate  410  includes abase  412  having side walls  414  and end walls  416 . Again the end walls  416  include recesses  430  and the side walls  414  include recesses  432  as before. In this embodiment, the end walls  416  include one or more end spacers  418  which are pivotably connected at upper ends of the end walls  416  adjacent the recesses  430 . In the stowed/retracted position, the end spacers  418  extend upward from hinges connecting them to the end walls  416 . Similarly, side spacers  420  are pivotably connected adjacent upper edges of the side walls  414  adjacent the recesses  432 . In the stowed/retracted position, the side spacers  420  extend upward from hinges connecting them to the side walls  414 . 
     In  FIG.  67   , the spacers  418 ,  420  are shown in the stowed or retracted position. In  FIG.  68   , the spacers  418 ,  420  are pivoted downward ninety degrees such that they project into the interior space of the crate  410 . The spacers  418 ,  420  block or effectively block the recesses  430 ,  432 , respectively, effectively reducing the interior dimensions of the crate  410  to the extent they block the recesses  430 ,  432  and to the extent they further project into the interior of the crate  410 . 
       FIG.  69    shows the crate  410  in the collapsed position, with the side walls  414  and end walls  416  collapsed onto the base  412 .  FIGS.  70 ,  71  and  72    are top side and end views of the collapsed crate of  FIG.  69   . 
       FIG.  73    is a top view of the crate  410  with the spacers  418 ,  420  in the retracted position, exposing the recesses  430 ,  432  to the interior of the crate.  FIG.  74    are side and end views of the crate  410  of  FIG.  73   . 
       FIG.  76    is a top view of the crate  410  with the spacers  418 ,  420  in the deployed position, such that they project into the interior of the crate  410  and block the recesses  430 ,  432  ( FIG.  70   ).  FIGS.  77  and  78    are side and end views of the crate  410  of  FIG.  76   . 
       FIGS.  79 - 84    show a collapsible crate  510  according to a sixth embodiment (a quarter of the crate  510  is shown, the rest would be symmetric). In this embodiment, the end spacers  518  and side spacers  520  are pivotably connected adjacent lower ends of the end walls  516  and side walls  514 , respectively. Recesses  536  are formed in the end wall  516  for receiving the side spacers  520 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  80   , the spacers  518 ,  520  can be pivoted downward onto the base  512 . A recess  538  is formed in the end wall for receiving the end spacer  518 . 
       FIG.  81    shows the crate  510  in the collapsed position. The side spacer  520  is received in the recesses  536  of the end wall  516  and the end spacer  518  is received in the recess  538  of the end wall  516 . 
       FIG.  82    is an exterior view of the crate  510  of  FIG.  81   . As shown in  FIG.  83   , when deployed, the spacers  518 ,  520  block the recesses  530 ,  532  in the end walls  516  and side walls  514 , respectively, thereby effectively reducing the interior dimensions of the crate  510 .  FIG.  84    is a top view of the crate  510  of  FIG.  83   . 
       FIGS.  85 - 91    show a collapsible crate  610  according to a seventh embodiment. Again, the end walls  616  and side walls  614  include recesses  630 ,  632 , respectively. End spacers  618  are pivotably connected adjacent upper edges of the end walls  616  and include recesses  631  that align with the recesses  630  in the end walls  616  when the spacers  618  is in the retracted position, as shown. Likewise, the side spacers  620  include recesses  633  that align with the recesses  632  and side walls  614  when the spacer  620  is in the retracted position, as shown in  FIG.  85   . In the stowed/retracted position shown in  FIG.  85   , the spacers  618 ,  620  extend upward from pivotable connections to upper ends of the end walls  616  and side walls  614 , respectively. 
       FIG.  86    shows the spacers  618 ,  620  pivoted downward approximately ninety degrees such that they project into the interior of the crate  610  and block the recesses  630 ,  632 , thereby reducing the effective dimensions of the crate  610 . 
       FIG.  87    shows the crate  610  in the collapsed position. 
       FIG.  88    shows the crate  610  with the spacers  618 ,  620  in the retracted position and bottles  8  partially received in the recesses  632 ,  630  (and recesses  631 ,  633 ). 
       FIG.  89    shows the crate  610  with the spacers  618 ,  620  in the deployed position where they project into the interior of the crate and block the recesses  630 ,  632 , thereby reducing the interior dimensions of the crate, such that they can reasonably snugly fit the smaller bottles  9 . 
       FIG.  90    is an exterior view of the crate  610  with the spacers  618 ,  620  in the retracted position. 
       FIG.  91    is an exterior view of the crate  610  with the spacers  618 ,  620  in the deployed position. 
     As shown in  FIG.  92   , a ramp feature  740  can be formed on the base  712  to automatically move a spacer  718  from the deployed position to the retracted position as the wall  716  is pivoted downward onto the base  712  to the collapsed position. The ramp feature could be added to some of the collapsible crate embodiments disclosed above. 
     All of the embodiments described above provide crates that can be reconfigured to accommodate different sizes and/or different numbers of bottles. In all of the embodiments, except the third embodiment, the external footprint of the crate would not change between the two configurations. All of the features described above for altering the interior dimensions of the crate could be provided in a collapsible crate or in a low-depth nestable crate, or even a full-depth crate, again with the exception of the third embodiment. Other products besides beverage containers could be accommodated by any of the disclosed embodiments. Generally, it is contemplated that all of the disclosed components are formed of injection molded plastic; however, other materials and/or forming methods could be used for some of the components. 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope. Alphanumeric labels on method steps in the claims are for ease of reference in other steps or other claims and unless otherwise explicitly indicated in the claim do not signify a required sequence.