Patent Publication Number: US-2023142922-A1

Title: Stackable tray

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/831,982, filed Jun. 3, 2022, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/215,663, filed Jun. 28, 2021, the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to stackable trays and crates, and more particularly but not exclusively relates to stackable trays and crates configured to hold jarred goods. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Jars used for canning purposes are often provided in various standard sizes, including pint-sized and quart-sized. Such canning jars are often stored in trays or crates. Some existing crates accommodate pint-sized jars and are stackable on themselves, while other existing crates accommodate quart-sized jars and are stackable on themselves. However, due to the difference in sizes of the pint-sized jars and the quart-sized jars, existing crates for pint-sized jars cannot be stacked with crates for quart-sized jars. Similar difficulties have arisen with stacking trays having different numbers of wells. For these reasons among others, there remains a need for further improvements in this technological field. 
     SUMMARY 
     An exemplary system is provided for holding storage goods, and generally includes a first tray and a second tray. The first tray includes a plurality of first wells, a first engagement pattern, and a first long axis, and the first engagement pattern is formed at least in part on one or more of the first wells. The second tray includes a plurality of second wells, a second engagement pattern, and a second long axis, and the second engagement pattern is formed at least in part on one or more of the second wells. The first engagement pattern and the second engagement pattern are configured to engage one another to thereby discourage relative shifting of the first tray and the second tray. With the first engagement pattern and the second engagement pattern engaged with one another, the first long axis and the second long axis extend transverse to one another. Further embodiments, forms, features, and aspects of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an assembled first crate according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    is a first perspective view of a first tray that may be utilized to build the first crate. 
         FIG.  3    is a second perspective view of the first tray. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a snap mechanism according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  5    is a plan view of a first engagement feature according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  6    is a plan view of a second engagement feature according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the first crate in a stacked configuration. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of the first crate in a nested configuration. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of an assembled second crate according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of a second tray that may be utilized to build the second crate. 
         FIG.  11    is a plan view of a system according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  12    is a schematic block diagram of a process according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of a tray according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of a tray according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of a system including the trays of  FIGS.  13  and  14   . 
         FIG.  16    is a plan view of a portion of the system, and illustrates mating features of the trays engaged with one another. 
         FIG.  17    is a schematic block diagram of a process according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  18    is a plan view of a tray according to certain embodiments. 
         FIG.  19    is a plan view of a portion of a system according to certain embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Although the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described herein in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the present disclosure and the appended claims. 
     References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. It should further be appreciated that although reference to a “preferred” component or feature may indicate the desirability of a particular component or feature with respect to an embodiment, the disclosure is not so limiting with respect to other embodiments, which may omit such a component or feature. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. 
     Additionally, it should be appreciated that items included in a list in the form of “at least one of A, B, and C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed in the form of “at least one of A, B, or C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Items listed in the form of “A, B, and/or C” can also mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Further, with respect to the claims, the use of words and phrases such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” and/or “at least one portion” should not be interpreted so as to be limiting to only one such element unless specifically stated to the contrary, and the use of phrases such as “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” should be interpreted as encompassing both embodiments including only a portion of such element and embodiments including the entirety of such element unless specifically stated to the contrary. 
     In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown in certain specific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should be appreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not necessarily be required. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged in a different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures unless indicated to the contrary. Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in a particular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required in all embodiments and, in some embodiments, may be omitted or may be combined with other features. 
     With reference to  FIG.  1   , illustrated therein is a crate  100  according to certain embodiments. While other storage items are contemplated, the illustrated crate  100  is configured to hold canning jars of a particular size (e.g., pint-sized or quart-sized). In the illustrated form, the crate  100  is configured to hold standard quart-sized canning jars. As described herein, other embodiments of the present application are configured to hold standard pint-sized canning jars. The crate  100  includes an upper tray  110  and a lower tray  120 . In the illustrated form, the upper tray  110  and the lower tray  120  are substantially identical, which may aid in reducing inventory requirements and/or facilitate production. In other embodiments, the upper tray  110  and the lower tray  120  may not necessarily be identical. 
     With additional reference to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , illustrated therein is a tray  200  according to certain embodiments. The tray  200  may, for example, be utilized as the upper tray  110  and/or the lower tray  120  of the crate  100 . For example, a first of the tray  200  may be utilized as the upper tray  110  and a second of the tray  200  may be utilized as the lower tray  120 . The tray  200  generally includes a generally concave or female first side  202  ( FIG.  2   ) and an opposite generally convex or male second side  204  ( FIG.  3   ). When the tray  200  is utilized as an upper tray (e.g., the upper tray  110 ), the first side  202  is a bottom or lower side, and the second side  204  is a top or upper side. Conversely, when the tray  200  is utilized as a lower tray (e.g., the lower tray  120 ), the first side  202  is a top or upper side, and the second side  204  is a bottom or lower side. The female first side  202  may also be referred to herein as the interior side, and the male second side  204  may alternatively be referred to herein as the exterior side. 
     The tray  200  has a long axis  201 , and generally includes a base portion  210  defining an outer perimeter of the tray  200 , and a plurality of wells  220  extending from the base portion  210  such that the first side  202  defines a cavity  203 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the long axis  201  extends in a direction that is generally parallel to the longest sides of the tray  200 . In the illustrated form, the first side  202  includes one or more snap mechanisms  230  formed in the base portion  210 , and the second side  204  includes one or more first engagement features  240  and one or more second engagement features  250 . As described herein, the engagement features  240 ,  250  define a first engagement pattern  290 , and occupy and define an engagement area  270  on the second side  204  of the tray  200 . 
     Each well  220  is sized and shaped to receive a particular size of jar, and in the illustrated form is sized and shaped to receive a standard quart-sized jar. Each well  220  has an interior side  222  corresponding to the first side  202  of the tray and an exterior side  224  corresponding to the exterior side  204  of the tray  200 . In the illustrated form, the tray  200  includes twelve wells  220  arranged in three rows and four columns. It is also contemplated that more or fewer wells  220  may be utilized, and that more or fewer rows and/or columns may be utilized. With the wells  220  arranged in a generally rectangular array, the tray  200  includes four “corner” wells  260  and a plurality of non-corner wells  260 ′. As described herein, the four corner wells  260  include a pair of first corner wells  264  and a pair of second corner wells  265 . Each of the first corner wells  264  includes a corresponding first engagement feature  240 , and each of the second corner wells  265  includes a corresponding second engagement feature  250 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  4   , each of the illustrated snap mechanisms  230  includes at least one first snap feature  232  having a first geometry and at least one second snap feature  234  having a second geometry configured to mate with the first geometry. In the illustrated form, each first snap feature  232  is provided as a male protrusion  233 , and each second snap feature  234  is provided as a female recess  235  sized and shaped to receive the protrusion  233 . The snap features  232 ,  234  are arranged such that each snap mechanism  230  is operable to engage another instance of itself. Thus, when a first of the tray  200  is utilized as the upper tray  110  and a second of the tray  200  is utilized as the lower tray  120 , the snap mechanisms  230  of the upper tray  110  will engage the snap mechanisms  230  of the lower tray  120  to discourage separation of the trays  110 ,  120 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  5   , the first engagement feature  240  has a first geometry. In the illustrated form, the geometry of the first engagement feature  240  includes an L-shaped protrusion  242  including a first leg  244  and a second leg  246  extending perpendicular to the first leg  244 . While the illustrated legs  244 ,  246  are connected to one another, it is also contemplated that the legs  244 ,  246  may not necessarily be connected. Furthermore, while one example geometry has been illustrated for the first engagement feature, it should be appreciated that other geometries may be utilized. 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  6   , the second engagement feature  250  has a second geometry sized and shaped to mate with the geometry of the first engagement feature  240 . In the illustrated form, the geometry of the second engagement feature  250  is a generally L-shaped female recess  252  configured for engagement with the L-shaped protrusion  242 . The L-shaped recess  252  includes a first channel  254  configured to receive the first leg  244  and a second channel  256  configured to receive the second leg  246 . In the illustrated form, each channel  254 ,  256  is defined by a corresponding pair of ridges  258  that protrude from the exterior surface  224  of the corresponding well  220 . It is also contemplated that the channels  254  may be recessed into the exterior surface  224  of the well  220 . Furthermore, while the channels  254 ,  256  of the illustrated second engagement feature  250  do not connect, it is also contemplated that the channels  254 ,  256  may connect in certain embodiments. 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  7   , illustrated therein are two trays  200  in a stacked configuration. For each tray, the first corner wells  264  alternate with the second corner wells  265  such that when the second sides  204  of two trays  200  face one another, each first corner well  264  of one tray  200  faces a corresponding second corner well  265  of the other tray  200 , and each second corner well  265  of the one tray  200  faces a first corner well  264  of the other tray  200 . As a result, each first engagement feature  240  of one tray  200  is operable to engage a second engagement feature  250  of the other tray  200 , and each second engagement feature  250  of the one tray  200  is operable to engage a first engagement feature  240  of the other tray  200 . With the engagement features  240 ,  250  engaged with one another, lateral shifting of the trays  200  relative to one another is inhibited, thereby facilitating the secure stacking of crates  100 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  8   , the tray  200  is also configured to nest with itself to facilitate storage in a more compact arrangement. In the nested configuration, the second or exterior side  204  of one tray  200  faces the interior or first side  202  of the other tray  200 , and one tray  200  is received in the cavity  203  of the other tray  200 . In order to facilitate such nesting, the wells  220  may be provided with a tapered configuration. 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  9   , illustrated therein is a crate  300  according to certain embodiments. The crate  300  is substantially similar to the crate  100 , and includes an upper tray  310  corresponding to the upper tray  110  and a lower tray  320  corresponding to the lower tray  120 . In the illustrated form, the crate  300  is configured to hold standard pint-sized canning jars. 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  10   , illustrated therein is a tray  400  according to certain embodiments. The tray  400  may, for example, be utilized as the upper tray  310  and/or the lower tray  320  of the crate  300 . For example, a first of the tray  400  may be utilized as the upper tray  310  and a second of the tray  400  may be utilized as the lower tray  320 . The tray  400  is substantially similar to the above-described tray  200 , and similar reference characters are used to indicate similar elements and features. For example, the tray  400  includes a base portion  410 , a plurality of wells  420 , one or more snap mechanisms  430 , at least one first engagement feature  440 , and at least one second engagement feature  450 , which respectively correspond to the base portion  210 , the wells  220 , the snap mechanisms  230 , the first engagement features  240 , and the second engagement features  250 . In the interest of conciseness, the following description of the tray  400  focuses primarily on elements and features of the second tray  400  that are different from those described above with reference to the first tray  200 . It should be appreciated, however, that elements and features described with reference to one crate  100 ,  300  or one tray  200 ,  400  may be equally applicable to the other crate  100 ,  300  and/or the other tray  200 ,  400 . 
     In the illustrated form, each well  420  is configured to hold a corresponding jar that is of a standard pint size. Thus, each well  420  is of a smaller size and a lesser diameter in comparison to the corresponding well  220  of the first tray  200 . The four corner wells  460  include a pair of first corner wells  464  and a pair of second corner wells  465 . Each of the first corner wells  464  includes a corresponding second tray first engagement feature  440 , and each of the second corner wells  465  includes a corresponding second tray second engagement feature  450 . 
     Like the engagement features  240 ,  250  of the first tray  200 , the engagement features  440 ,  450  of the second tray  400  occupy and define an engagement area  470  corresponding to the engagement area  270 . As with the above-described engagement features  240 ,  250 , the engagement features  440 ,  450  are configured to mate with one another such that the tray  400  is stackable on itself in a manner analogous to that illustrated in  FIG.  7   . Thus, the crate  300  can be stacked on itself in a secure manner. The engagement features  440 ,  450  of the second tray  400  are also configured to mate with the engagement features  240 ,  250  of the first tray  200 . More particularly, the first tray first engagement features  240  and the second tray second engagement features  450  are configured to mate with one another, and the first tray second engagement features  250  and the second tray first engagement features  440  are configured to mate with one another. Additionally, the first tray engagement area  270  is the same as the second tray engagement area  470 , which facilitates stacking of the first crate  100  with the second crate  300  as described herein. 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  11   , illustrated therein is a system  500  according to certain embodiments. The system  500  includes the first crate  100 , which includes at least one first tray  200 , and the second crate  300 , which includes at least one second tray  400 . For example, the system  500  may include a pair of first trays  200  that engage one another to define the first crate  100  and a pair of second trays  400  that engage one another to define the second crate  300 . 
     As noted above, the first tray wells  220  are configured to receive quart-sized jars, and the second tray wells  420  are configured to receive pint-sized jars. Thus, the first tray wells  220  may have a first diameter d 220 , and the second tray wells  420  may have a second diameter d 420  less than the first diameter d 220 . Each diameter d 220 , d 420  may be measured at the base of the corresponding well  220 ,  420 . Due to the larger diameters of the first tray wells  220  as compared to the second tray wells  420 , it may be the case that the first tray  200  is larger than the second tray  400 . For example, in the illustrated form, a plan-view area of the first tray  200  is larger than the plan-view area of the second tray  400 . As used herein, the term “plan-view area” may be used to refer to the area of a component (e.g., a tray) when viewed from directly above the component. 
     It should be appreciated that although the first tray  200  is larger than the second tray  400 , the trays  200 ,  400  can nonetheless be stacked with one another in a secure manner. This capability is provided at least in part by the ability of the first tray engagement features  240 ,  250  to mate with the second tray engagement features  440 ,  450 , and in part by the arrangement of the engagement features in engagement areas  270 ,  470  that correspond to one another. The system  500  may thus facilitate stacking of various sizes of crates (and various sizes of jars) in stacks that include crates and jars of different sizes. 
     In the illustrated embodiments, the first tray  200  is configured to hold standard quart-sized canning jars, and the second tray  400  is configured to hold standard pint-sized canning jars. As such, the minimum diameter d 220  of the first wells  220  is selected to correspond to the diameter of a standard quart-sized canning jar, and the minimum diameter d 420  of the second wells  420  is selected to correspond to the diameter of a standard pint-sized canning jar. It is also contemplated that other sizes and diameters may be utilized. For example, the first diameter d 220  may be selected to correspond to one of a 64-ounce canning jar, a 32-ounce canning jar, a 28-ounce canning jar, a 16-ounce canning jar, a 12-ounce canning jar, an 8-ounce canning jar, or a 4-ounce canning jar, and the second diameter d 420  may be selected to correspond to another of a 64-ounce canning jar, a 32-ounce canning jar, a 28-ounce canning jar, a 16-ounce canning jar, a 12-ounce canning jar, an 8-ounce canning jar, or a 4-ounce canning jar. 
     Moreover, while certain embodiments have been described with specific reference to holding storage goods in the form of canning jars, it is also contemplated that trays according to other embodiments may be configured to hold other forms of storage goods. By way of non-limiting example, such trays may be configured to hold honey jars (e.g. 24-ounce honey jars, 16-ounce honey jars, or 12-ounce honey jars), honey bear bottles (e.g., 20-ounce honey bear bottles, or 12-ounce honey bear bottles), eggs (e.g., chicken eggs, duck eggs, or quail eggs), kombucha bottles, maple sugar jugs, or growlers. In certain embodiments, one or more trays or crates may be configured for use as seed planters, milking buckets, seed savers/holders, root cellar crates, or storage of bulk dry goods (e.g., flour, wheat, or sugar). 
     It should also be appreciated that the foregoing examples may be mixed and matched as desired. For example, the wells  220  of the first tray  200  may be configured to hold canning jars of a particular size, and the wells  420  of the second tray may be configured to hold honey bear bottles of a particular size. 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  12   , illustrated therein is a process  600  according to certain embodiments. Blocks illustrated for the processes in the present application are understood to be examples only, and blocks may be combined or divided, and added or removed, as well as re-ordered in whole or in part, unless explicitly stated to the contrary. While the blocks are illustrated in a relatively serial fashion, it is to be understood that two or more of the blocks may be performed concurrently or in parallel with one another. Moreover, while the process  600  is described herein with specific reference to the system  500  illustrated in  FIG.  11   , it is to be appreciated that the process  600  may be performed with crate stacking systems having additional or alternative features. 
     The process  600  generally includes a first crate assembly procedure  610 , a second crate assembly procedure  620 , a stacking procedure  630 , and a storage procedure  640 . As described herein, the first crate assembly procedure  610  generally involves assembling a first crate  100 , and the second crate assembly procedure  620  generally involves assembling a second crate  300 . The stacking procedure  630  generally involves stacking the first crate  100  on the second crate  300 , and the storage procedure  640  generally involves disassembling one or both of the crates. 
     The first crate assembly procedure  610  may begin with two trays  200  operable to form a first crate  100 . Of the two trays, one tray  200  may be designated as the first upper tray  110 , and the other may be designated as the first lower tray  120 . Each of the first upper tray  110  and the first lower tray  120  comprises a corresponding plurality of first wells  220 . At least one first well  220  of the first bottom tray  120  (e.g., the corner well  264 ) comprises a corresponding first engagement feature (e.g., the engagement feature  240 ) on a bottom surface  224  thereof 
     The procedure  610  may begin with block  612 , which generally involves placing one or more storage goods in the first lower tray  120 . For example, block  612  may involve placing one or more quart-sized jars in one or more corresponding wells  220  of the first lower tray  120 . In the illustrated form, block  612  may involve positioning up to twelve quart-sized jars in the twelve wells  220 . It is also contemplated that more or fewer wells  220  may be provided to the tray  200  to accommodate more or fewer jars. 
     The procedure  610  may include block  614 , which generally involves engaging the first upper tray  110  with the first lower tray  120 . For example, block  614  may involve positioning the trays  110 ,  120  in opposite orientations such that the female first sides  202  face one another, and placing the base portions  210  in contact with one another to thereby enclose the one or more jars within the enclosed cavity  203 . 
     The procedure  610  may include block  616 , which generally involves engaging a snap mechanism  230  of the first upper tray  110  with a corresponding snap mechanism  230  of the first lower tray  120 . For example, block  616  may involve engaging the snap mechanisms  230  such that each protrusion  233  of one tray  200  is received in a corresponding recess  235  of the other tray  200 . 
     The second crate assembly procedure  620  may begin with two trays  400  operable to form a second crate  300 . Of the two trays, one tray  400  may be designated as the second upper tray  310 , and the other may be designated as the second lower tray  320 . Each of the second upper tray  310  and the second lower tray  320  comprises a corresponding plurality of second wells  420 . At least one second well  420  of the second upper tray  320  (e.g., the corner well  465 ) comprises a corresponding second engagement feature (e.g., the engagement feature  450 ) on an upper surface  424  thereof. Each of the second wells  420  has a different size than a corresponding one of the first wells  220 . In the illustrated form, each of the second wells  420  is configured to receive a pint-sized jar, and is accordingly smaller than the corresponding one of the first wells  220  for receiving quart-sized jars. 
     The procedure  620  may begin with block  622 , which generally involves placing one or more storage goods in the second lower tray  320 . For example, block  622  may involve placing one or more pint-sized jars in one or more corresponding wells  420  of the second lower tray  320 . In the illustrated form, block  622  may involve positioning up to twelve pint-sized jars in the twelve wells  420 . It is also contemplated that more or fewer wells may be provided to the tray  400  to accommodate more or fewer jars. 
     The procedure  620  may include block  624 , which generally involves engaging the second upper tray  310  with the second lower tray  320 . For example, block  624  may involve positioning the trays  310 ,  320  in opposite orientations such that the female first sides  402  face one another, and placing the base portions  410  in contact with one another to thereby enclose the one or more jars within the enclosed cavity  403 . 
     The procedure  620  may include block  626 , which generally involves engaging a snap mechanism  430  of the second upper tray  310  with a corresponding snap mechanism  430  of the second lower tray  320 . For example, block  626  may involve engaging the snap mechanisms  430  such that each protrusion of one tray  400  is received in a corresponding recess of the other tray  400  in a manner analogous to that described above with reference to engagement of the snap mechanisms  230 . 
     The stacking procedure  630  generally involves stacking the first crate  100  on the second crate  300 . More particularly, the procedure  630  includes block  632 , which generally involves engaging the engagement feature  240  of the first lower tray  120  with the engagement feature  450  of the second upper tray  310  to thereby discourage relative shifting of the first crate  100  and the second crate  300 . 
     Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the first crate assembly procedure  610  and/or the second crate assembly procedure  620  may be repeated as desired to form additional crates  100 ,  300  of selected sizes. Moreover, such additional crates  100 ,  300  may be stacked atop one another as desired, for example according to the stacking procedure  630 . Due to the congruence of the engagement areas  270 ,  470 , the crates  100 ,  300  may be stacked in any desired order. 
     In certain embodiments, the process  600  may involve a storage procedure  640 , which generally involves disassembling and storing one or more crates. For example, the procedure  640  may include block  642 , which generally involves disassembling the first crate  100 . Block  642  may, for example, involve disengaging the snap mechanisms  230  and removing the first upper tray  110  from the first lower tray  120  such that the jars may be removed. The procedure  640  may include block  644 , which generally involves reversing the orientation of one of the first trays  200  such that the female first side  202  of one tray  200  faces the male second side  204  of the other tray  200 . The procedure  640  may then continue to block  646 , which involves nesting the trays  200  within one another, for example as illustrated in  FIG.  8   . As a result of the nesting, each well  220  of one tray  200  may be received in a corresponding well  220  of the other tray  200 . Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the second crate  300  and/or any additional crates may be disassembled and stored in a manner analogous to that described with reference to the first crate  100 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  13   , illustrated therein is a tray  700  according to certain embodiments. The tray  700  is substantially similar to the above-described tray  200 , and similar reference characters are used to indicate similar elements and features. For example, the illustrated tray  700  includes a long axis  701 , an interior side  702 , an exterior side  704 , a base portion  710 , a plurality of wells  720 , a snap mechanism  730 , first engagement features  740 , second engagement features  750 , a plurality of corner wells  760 , a plurality of non-corner wells  760 ′, an engagement area  770 , and an engagement pattern  790 , which respectively correspond to the above-described long axis  201 , interior side  202 , exterior side  204 , base portion  210 , wells  220 , snap mechanism  230 , first engagement features  240 , second engagement features  250 , corner wells  260 , non-corner wells  260 ′, engagement area  270 , and engagement pattern  290 . As will be appreciated, one instance of the tray  700  may be utilized in combination with another instance of the tray  700  to form a crate along the lines of the above-described crate  100 . In the interest of conciseness, the following description of the tray  700  focuses primarily on elements and features different from those described above with reference to the tray  200 . 
     As with the above-described tray  200 , the tray  700  may include a primary engagement pattern  790  formed on the corner wells  760  of the tray  700 . Such a primary engagement pattern  790  may aid in stacking the tray  700  on itself in a manner analogous to that described above. The illustrated tray  700  includes, in addition or as an alternative to the primary engagement pattern  790 , a secondary engagement pattern  790 ′ having a secondary engagement area  770 ′. As described herein, the secondary engagement pattern  790 ′ may be formed at least in part on one or more non-corner wells  760 ′, and may facilitate the stacking of the tray  700  with another tray having a configuration different from that of the tray  700 . For example, the secondary engagement pattern  790 ′ may facilitate stacking of the tray  700  with the tray  800  illustrated in  FIG.  14   . As with the above-described tray  200 , the primary engagement pattern  790  may facilitate stacking one instance of the tray  700  with another instance of the tray  700  in a manner analogous to that described with reference to  FIG.  7   . 
     While other forms are contemplated, in the illustrated form, each of the first engagement features  740  includes a first annular boss  742  and two first ridges  744  that are generally perpendicular to one another, and each of the second engagement features  750  includes a second annular boss  752  and two pairs of second ridges  754  defining two channels  755  that are generally perpendicular to one another. The first annular boss  742  and the second annular boss  752  are configured to matingly engage one another. In the illustrated form, the first annular boss  742  is configured to matingly receive the second annular boss  752 . It is also contemplated that the second annular boss  752  may be configured to matingly receive the first annular boss  742 . In the illustrated form, each of the first ridges  744  is configured to be matingly received in the corresponding channel  755 . 
     In the arrangement illustrated, each of the first engagement features  740  and each of the second engagement features  750  includes both a pater and a mater. For example, the first engagement feature  740  includes a pater in the form of the ridges  744  and a mater in the form of the first annular boss  742 , and the second engagement feature  750  includes a pater in the form of the second annular boss  752  and a mater in the form of the channels  755 . As used herein, the terms mater and pater refer to two components that are sized and shaped to mate with one another, with the pater received in the mater. For example, a pater in the form of the ridges  744  of the first engagement feature  740  may mates with a mater in the form of the channels  755 , and a pater in the form of the second annular boss  752  may mate with a mater in the form of the first annular boss  742 . While each of the illustrated engagement features  740 ,  750  includes both a pater and a mater, it should be appreciated that one engagement feature  740 / 750  may include two paters while the other engagement feature  740 / 750  includes two maters. 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  14   , illustrated therein is a tray  800  according to certain embodiments. The tray  800  is substantially similar to the above-described tray  200 , and similar reference characters are used to indicate similar elements and features. For example, the illustrated tray  800  includes a long axis  801 , an interior side  802 , an exterior side  804 , a base portion  810 , a plurality of wells  820 , a snap mechanism  830 , first engagement features  840 , second engagement features  850 , a plurality of corner wells  860 , a plurality of non-corner wells  860 ′, an engagement area  870 , and an engagement pattern  890 , which respectively correspond to the above-described long axis  201 , interior side  202 , exterior side  204 , base portion  210 , wells  220 , snap mechanism  230 , first engagement features  240 , second engagement features  250 , corner wells  260 , non-corner wells  260 ′, engagement area  270 , and engagement pattern  290 . As will be appreciated, one instance of the tray  800  may be utilized in combination with another instance of the tray  800  to form a crate along the lines of the above-described crate  100 . In the interest of conciseness, the following description of the tray  800  focuses primarily on elements and features different from those described above with reference to the tray  200 . 
     While each of the above-described trays  200 ,  700  includes three rows and four columns for a total of twelve wells  220 ,  720 , the illustrated tray  800  includes two rows and three columns for a total of six wells  820 . As such, the number of wells  720  in the tray  700  is more than the number of wells  820  in the second tray  800 . More particularly, in the illustrated form, the number of wells  720  in the tray  700  is at least twice as great as the number of wells  820  in the tray  800 . It is also contemplated that the number of wells  720  in the tray  700  may not necessarily be twice as great as the number of wells  820  in the tray  800 . As described herein, the engagement area  870  matches the secondary engagement area  770 ′ of the tray  700 , and the engagement pattern  890  is configured to mate with the secondary engagement pattern  790 ′ of the tray to thereby discourage lateral shifting of the trays  700 ,  800 . 
     In the illustrated form, each of the first wells  720  and each of the second wells  820  has the same diameter. It is also contemplated that one or more of the first wells  720  may have a different diameter than one or more of the other first wells  720  and/or one or more of the second wells  820 , and that one or more of the second wells  820  may have a different diameter than one or more of the first wells  720  and/or one or more of the other second wells  820 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  15   , illustrated therein is a system  900  according to certain embodiments. The system  900  includes a first tray in the form of the above-described tray  700  and a second tray in the form of the above-described tray  800 . In the illustrated arrangement, the long axis  701  of the first tray  700  is transverse to the long axis  801  of the second tray  800 . While other forms are contemplated, in the illustrated form, the long axes  701 ,  801  are generally perpendicular to one another. Additionally, the secondary engagement pattern  790 ′ of the first tray  700  is matingly engaged with the engagement pattern  890  of the second tray such that relative shifting of the trays  700 ,  800  is discouraged. 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  16   , the first engagement features  740  of the first tray  700  are engaged with the second engagement features  850  of the second tray  800 , and the second engagement features  750  of the first tray  700  are engaged with the first engagement features  840  of the second tray  800 . As such, the engaged maters and paters discourage relative shifting of the stacked trays  700 ,  800 . Because the secondary engagement area  770 ′ of the larger tray  700  matches the engagement area  870  of the smaller tray  800 , the trays  700 ,  800  can still be stacked with one another, despite the smaller tray  800  failing to extend to the primary engagement area  770  of the first tray  700 . While other arrangements are contemplated, in the illustrated form, the long axes  701 ,  801  of the trays  700 ,  800  are transverse to one another when the trays  700 ,  800  are stacked with one another. 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  17   , illustrated therein is a process  1000  according to certain embodiments. As noted above, blocks illustrated for the processes in the present application are understood to be examples only, and blocks may be combined or divided, and added or removed, as well as re-ordered in whole or in part, unless explicitly stated to the contrary. While the blocks are illustrated in a relatively serial fashion, it is to be understood that two or more of the blocks may be performed concurrently or in parallel with one another. Moreover, while the process  1000  is described herein with specific reference to the system  900  illustrated in  FIGS.  15  and  16   , it is to be appreciated that the process  1000  may be performed with crate stacking systems having additional and/or alternative features. 
     The process  1000  may include block  1010 , which generally involves placing a first tray in a first orientation. The first tray may include a plurality of first wells, a first engagement pattern, and a first long axis. For example, the first tray may be provided in the form of the above-described tray  700 , which includes a plurality of first wells  720 , a first engagement pattern  790 ′, and a first long axis  701 . With the first tray  700  in the first orientation, the first long axis  701  extends in a first direction. 
     The process  1000  may include block  1020 , which generally involves placing a second tray in a second orientation. The second tray may include a plurality of second wells, a second engagement pattern, and a second long axis. For example, the second tray may be provided in the form of the above-described tray  800 , which includes a plurality of second wells  820 , a second engagement pattern  890 , and a second long axis  801 . With the second tray  800  in the second orientation, the second long axis  801  extends in a second direction transverse to the first direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the long axes  701 ,  801  are generally perpendicular to one another. It is also contemplated that the axes may be oblique to one another when the first and second trays are in their respective orientations. 
     The process  1000  may include block  1030 , which generally involves engaging the first engagement pattern and the second engagement pattern with one another, thereby discouraging relative shifting of the first tray and the second tray. For example, block  1030  may involve engaging the first engagement pattern  790 ′ with the second engagement pattern  890  to thereby discourage relative shifting of the trays  700 ,  800 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the first tray  700  includes a greater number of first wells  720  than the second tray  800  includes second wells  820 . It is also contemplated that the second tray may include more wells than the first tray. 
     In certain embodiments, the process  1000  may include assembling a first crate from the first tray, for example in a manner analogous to that as described above with reference to the procedure  610  of the above-described process  600 . By way of example, assembling the first crate may involve engaging the first tray with a third tray to thereby enclose a first storage space. In certain embodiments, the first tray and the third tray may be of an identical configuration. It is also contemplated that the first tray and the third tray may be of different configurations. 
     In certain embodiments, the process  1000  may include assembling a second crate from the second tray, for example in a manner analogous to that as described above with reference to the procedure  620  of the above-described process  600 . By way of example, assembling the second crate may involve engaging the second tray with a fourth tray to thereby enclose a second storage space. In certain embodiments, the second tray and the fourth tray may be of an identical configuration. It is also contemplated that the second tray and the fourth tray may be of different configurations. 
     With additional reference to  FIGS.  18  and  19   , illustrated therein is a tray  1100  according to certain embodiments ( FIG.  18   ), and a system  1200  including the tray  1100  and the above-described tray  800 . The tray  1100  is somewhat similar to the above-described tray  700 , and similar reference characters are used to indicate similar elements and features. For example, the tray  1100  includes a base portion  1110 , a plurality of wells  1120 , one or more snap features  1130 , first engagement features  1140 , second engagement features  1150 , a plurality of corner wells  1160 , a plurality of non-corner wells  1160 ′, an engagement area  1170 , a primary engagement pattern  1190 , and a secondary engagement pattern  1190 ′, which respectively correspond to the above-described base portion  710 , wells  720 , snap features  730 , first engagement features  740 , second engagement features  750 , corner wells  760 , non-corner wells  760 ′, engagement area  770 , primary engagement pattern  790 , and secondary engagement pattern  790 ′. In the interest of conciseness, the following description of the tray  1100  focuses primarily on features that are different from those described above with reference to the tray  700 . 
     While the system  1200  illustrated in  FIG.  19    includes the trays  800 ,  1100 , it should be appreciated that the system  1200  may further include the tray  700 . As described herein, although the trays  700 ,  1100  are of different configurations, one or more features of the trays  700 ,  1100  may ensure that the trays  700 ,  1100  remain compatible with one another for stacking purposes. 
     Although the tray  1100  includes certain features similar to those described above with reference to the tray  700 , the tray  1100  has certain features that differ from those described above with reference to the tray  700 . For example, the tray  1100  has a greater number of wells  1120  than the tray  700  has wells  720 , and the wells  1120  are of a different diameter than the wells  720 . Despite these differences, the primary engagement pattern  1190  may be substantially similar to the primary engagement pattern  790  to ensure that the tray  1100  remains compatible with other trays of the system (e.g. the tray  700 ). 
     The secondary engagement pattern  1190 ′ occupies a secondary engagement area  1170 ′ corresponding to the engagement area  790 ′ and/or the engagement area  890 , and is configured to mate with the engagement pattern  890  of the tray  800 . In the illustrated form, the engagement pattern  1190 ′ includes at least one first engagement feature  1140  configured to mate with at least a portion of the engagement features  850  and at least one second engagement feature  1150  configured to mate with at least a portion of the engagement features  840 . Due to constraints imposed by the size, position, and/or number of wells  1120 , the secondary engagement pattern  1190 ′ may not necessarily be identical to the engagement patterns  790 ′,  890 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the engagement features  1140 ,  1150  includes a corresponding and respective annular boss  1142 ,  1152 , but neither of the engagement features  1140 ,  1150  includes ridges corresponding to the ridges  744 ,  754 . However, because the bosses  1142 ,  1152  remain operable to mate with the bosses of the engagement features  840 ,  850 , the engaged engagement patterns  890 ,  1190 ′ remain operable to discourage relative shifting of the stacked trays  800 ,  1100 . 
     It should be appreciated from the foregoing that the systems and methods described herein may facilitate the stacking of trays and/or crates having different configurations that would otherwise not be conducive to stacking. For example, the systems and methods described herein may facilitate the stacking of a tray  700  including twelve pint-sized wells  720  with a tray  800  including six quart-sized wells  820  and/or a tray  1100  including twenty jelly jar-sized wells  1120 . It should also be appreciated that the number and/or size of the wells in a tray may vary from one tray to the next, and that the methods described herein may facilitate the generation of a system including trays and/or crates having different quantities and/or sizes of wells. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected. 
     It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.