Container racking system and method

A container racking system for a plurality of refillable containers, comprising:

• a crate having a bottom and having side walls arranged to secure said plurality of refillable containers when said plurality of refillable containers are placed into position in said crate;
• said bottom of said crate having a plurality of openings, one for each of said plurality of refillable containers, each of said plurality of openings positioned below each of said plurality of refillable containers;
• a rack for holding said crate when it is desired to have said plurality of refillable containers available for refilling, said rack being capable of supporting said crate when said crate is placed on said rack;
• and
• a plurality of members positioned within said rack such that said plurality of members protrude through said plurality of openings in said bottom of said crate when said crate is placed on said rack;
• whereby said plurality of refillable containers are raised up from said bottom of said crate when said crate is placed on said rack making said plurality of refillable containers readily available for refilling.

A method of preparing a plurality of refillable containers, contained in a rack, for refilling, using a container racking system having

• a crate having a bottom and having side walls arranged to secure said plurality of refillable containers in a position when said plurality of refillable containers are placed into position in said crate;
• said bottom of said crate having at least one opening positioned below said position of at least one said plurality of refillable containers;
• a rack for holding said crate when it is desired to have said plurality of refillable containers available for refilling, said rack being capable of supporting said crate when said crate is placed on said rack;
• and
• at least one member positioned within said rack such that said at least one member protrudes through said at least one opening of said bouom of said crate when said crate is placed on said rack;
• comprising the steps of:
• placing at least one of said plurality of refillable containers in position in said crate;
• and
• placing said crate containing said at least one of said plurality of refillable containers on said rack;
• whereby at least one of said plurality of refillable containers is raised up from said bottom of said crate when said crate is placed on said rack making said at least one of said plurality of refillable containers readily available for refilling.