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The invention encompasses methods and systems loading trays with nine packaging containers. First and second cutouts are arranged on opposite ends of the tray and an approximate dimension of about 16 inches by about 20 inches. Each container has a lid connected to a body with a hinge and securable u

The invention encompasses methods and systems loading trays with nine packaging containers. First and second cutouts are arranged on opposite ends of the tray and an approximate dimension of about 16 inches by about 20 inches. Each container has a lid connected to a body with a hinge and securable using latches. The closed lid defines at least two horizontal ventilation slots between the lid and body and at opposite ends of the container. Each container holding about 1 lb of contents with substantially vertical sidewalls. The nine containers are arranged in the tray in three columns of three containers aligning the ventilation slots of the containers with ventilation slots of other containers as well as with the tray ventilation cutouts.

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I claim: 1. A produce packaging and shipping system configured to enhance cooling properties and increase packing density, the system comprising: a produce packaging tray having an approximate dimension of about 16 inches by about 20 inches, the tray including a venting arrangement with a first cut

I claim: 1. A produce packaging and shipping system configured to enhance cooling properties and increase packing density, the system comprising: a produce packaging tray having an approximate dimension of about 16 inches by about 20 inches, the tray including a venting arrangement with a first cutout on one end of the tray and a second cutout on an opposite end of the tray from the first cut out; nine produce packaging containers arranged in the tray, each container including a lid that is connected to a body with a hinge and configured so that the closed container can be secured with latches and further configured such that when the lid is closed it defines at least two horizontal ventilation slots between the lid and body, the slots being disposed at opposing ends of the container, the containers being arranged in the tray in three columns of containers with each column having three rows of containers, with each container adapted to contain about 1 lb of produce product, each container having an exterior width dimension of in the range of about 5inches to about 5½ inches and an exterior length dimension of in the range of about 6 inches to about 6¾ inches, and having substantially vertical sidewalls; the plurality of containers further arranged inside the tray so that ventilation slots of the packaging containers of each row of containers are in alignment with ventilation slots of other packaging containers in the same row of containers, and wherein the ventilation slots of the packaging containers of each row of containers are in alignment with the ventilation cutouts of the trays, enabling airflow to pass into the tray through the first cutout into the ventilation openings of the containers and through each of the containers by passing through the aligned ventilation slots of the containers and out of the cooling tray through the second cutout at the opposite end of the tray. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein sidewalls of the container are smooth walled. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the container includes reinforcement ribs. 4. The system of claim 1 further comprising, a pallet having a footprint of about 40 inches by about 48 inches onto which the trays are arranged in a plurality of stacked layers of trays wherein each layer comprises a layer of six trays arranged in two row by three row array of trays so that at least one cutout of each tray is directly adjacent to and in alignment with a cutout of another tray enabling a cooling airflow to pass through a cutout of the trays, through the ventilation slots of the containers enabling the contents of the containers to be cooled, and out of the trays through a tray cutout on an opposing side of the tray. 5. The system of claim 1 further comprising, a pallet having a footprint of about 40 inches by about 48 inches onto which the trays are arranged in a plurality of stacked layers of trays wherein each layer comprises a layer of five trays arranged so that at least one cutout of each tray is directly adjacent to and in at least partial alignment with a cutout of another tray enabling a cooling airflow to pass through a cutout of the trays, through the ventilation slots of the containers enabling the contents of the containers to be cooled, and out of the trays through a tray cutout on an opposing side of the tray. 6. The system of claim 1 further comprising, a pallet having a footprint of about 40 inches by about 48 inches onto which the trays are arranged in a plurality of stacked layers of trays wherein each layer comprises a layer of five trays arranged so that at least one cutout of each tray is directly adjacent to and in at least partial alignment with a cutout of another tray. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein each pallet is configured to contain about 972 pounds of produce product. 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the venting arrangement of the produce packaging tray further includes a first bottom ventilation opening at the base of the tray at one end of the tray and a second bottom ventilation opening at the base of the tray at an opposite end of the tray from the first bottom ventilation opening; and wherein a bottom surface of each container comprises a first ventilation channel and wherein the ventilation channels of each packaging container of each row of containers are in substantial alignment with the bottom ventilation openings of the trays, enabling airflow to pass through the first bottom ventilation opening and under the trays through the ventilation channels and out of the cooling tray through the second bottom ventilation opening at the opposite end of the tray. 9. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one ventilation slot is arranged within the hinge. 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least two horizontal ventilation slots are each configured to span a distance of between about ⅓ to about ¾ of the length of the side in which the slot is located. 11. A produce packing method comprising: providing a produce packaging tray having an approximate dimension of about 16 inches by about 20 inches, the tray including a venting arrangement with a first cutout on one end of the tray and a second cutout on an opposite end of the tray from the first cut out; providing nine produce packaging containers each configured with a lid connected to a body with a hinge and further configured such that when the lid is closed it defines at least two horizontal ventilation slots between the lid and body, the slots being disposed at opposing ends of the container, with each container adapted to contain about 1 lb of produce product, each container having an exterior width dimension of in the range of about 5 inches to about 5¾ inches and an exterior length dimension of in the range of about 6 inches to about 6¾ inches, and having substantially vertical sidewalls; arranging the nine containers in the tray into packing layer comprising three columns of containers with each column having three containers, further arranging the nine containers inside the tray so that, ventilation slots of the packaging containers of each column of containers are in substantial alignment with ventilation slots of other packaging containers in the same column of containers, and so that the ventilation slots of the packaging containers of each column of containers are in substantial alignment with the ventilation cutouts of the trays, said arranging enabling airflow to pass into the tray through the first cutout into the ventilation openings of the containers of the arrangement and through each of the containers of the arrangement by passing through the aligned ventilation slots of the containers and out of the cooling tray through the second cutout at the opposite end of the tray. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein having nine produce packaging containers comprises having nine smooth walled produce packaging containers. 13. The method of claim 11 wherein having nine produce packaging containers comprises having nine produce packaging containers with ribbed sidewalls. 14. The method of claim 11 wherein having the tray includes having a tray with, a first bottom ventilation opening at the base of the tray at one end of the tray, and a second bottom ventilation opening at the base of the tray at an opposite end of the tray from the first bottom ventilation opening; and having the nine produce packaging containers further includes containers configured with a bottom surface comprising a ventilation channel and wherein the ventilation channels of each packaging container of are in substantial alignment with the bottom ventilation openings of the trays, enabling airflow to pass through the first bottom ventilation opening and under the trays through the ventilation channels and out of the cooling tray through the second bottom ventilation opening at the opposite end of the tray. 15. The method of claim 11 further comprising, providing a pallet having a footprint of about 40 inches by about 48 inches; arranging a plurality of layers of trays on a pallet with each layer stacked on another layer, each layer comprising six trays arranged in two rows of trays placed so that a cutout of each tray is directly adjacent to and in alignment with a cutout of another tray; and passing air flow through the trays such that the air flow passes into the cutouts of the trays on a first side of the pallet and through each of the trays and each of the containers within the trays and passing out of the trays through cutouts of the trays on a second side of the pallet opposite the first side. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein passing air flow through the trays comprises: providing a cooling chamber with a forced air system; positioning the pallet in the cooling chamber; and passing air flow through the trays of the pallet such that cool air from the chamber passes into the cutout of the trays on a first side of the pallet and through each of the containers and trays and passes out of tray cut outs on a second side of the pallet opposite the first side. 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said passing air flow through the trays comprises: arranging a plurality of pallets next to each other in rows positioned on either side of the forced air system defining an open space between the rows, wherein the pallets are arranged so that the second sides of the trays face toward the open space and the first sides of the trays face away from the open space; covering the plurality of pallets and the open space thereby defining an airflow passage in the covered open space, the pallets being covered such that the cutouts in the first side of the tray are exposed to the cooling chamber and cutouts in the second side of the tray are exposed to the covered open space; and operating the forced air system to pull cool air from the cooling chamber into the trays through the first side cutouts, through the ventilation slots of the containers, through the second side cutouts, and into the airflow passage between the rows of pallets, thereby cooling the contents of the containers. 18. A produce packaging and shipping system configured to enhance cooling properties and increase packing density, the system comprising: a produce packaging tray having a bottom and sidewalls and an approximate dimension of about 16 inches by about 20 inches, the tray including a venting arrangement comprising, a first cutout at a top portion of a first sidewall of the tray at a first end of the tray, a second cutout at a top of a second sidewall of the tray at a second end of the tray at the opposite end of the tray from the first cutout, the first and second cutouts arranged to enable alignment with ventilation slots of containers placed in the tray as a second layer of containers arranged on top of a first layer of containers, the tray further including intermediate height cutouts comprising, a third cutout in the first sidewall between the first cutout and the bottom of the tray, the height of the third cutout arranged so that it can be aligned with ventilation slots of the first layer of containers placed in the tray, and a fourth cutout in the second sidewall between the second cutout and the bottom of the tray, the height of the fourth cutout arranged so that it can be aligned with ventilation slots of the first layer of containers; the system further including a plurality of produce packaging containers adapted to contain about 8 oz. of produce product, with each container having an exterior width dimension of in the range of about 5 inches to about 5½ inches and an exterior length dimension of in the range of about 6 inches to about 6¾ inches, and having substantially vertical sidewalls, the containers having a lid connected to a body with a hinge and securable in a closed position using latches and further configured such that when the lid is closed it defines at least two horizontal ventilation slots between the lid and body, the slots being disposed at opposing ends of the container, the containers arranged inside the tray as, the first layer of containers arranged on the bottom of the tray, the first layer comprising nine produce packaging containers arranged in three columns of containers with each column having three containers, the plurality of containers further arranged inside the tray so that ventilation slots of the packaging containers of each column of the first layer of containers are in substantial alignment with ventilation slots of other packaging containers in the same column of containers in the first layer and wherein the ventilation slots of the packaging containers of each column of containers in the first layer are in substantial alignment with the third and fourth cutouts of the trays, enabling airflow to pass into the tray through the third cutout, into the ventilation openings of the containers of the first layer and through each of the containers of the first layer by passing through the aligned ventilation slots of the containers and out of the cooling tray through the fourth cutout at the opposite end of the tray, and the second layer of containers comprising nine produce packaging containers arranged on top of the first layer and arranged in three columns of three containers per column, the plurality of containers further arranged inside the tray so that ventilation slots of the containers of each column of the second layer of containers are in substantial alignment with ventilation slots of other packaging containers in the same column of containers of the second layer and wherein the ventilation slots of the packaging containers of each column of the second layer are in substantial alignment with the first and second cutouts of the trays, enabling airflow to pass into the tray through the first cutout, into the ventilation openings of the containers of the second layer and through each of the containers of the second layer by passing through the aligned ventilation slots of the containers and out of the cooling tray through the second cutout at the opposite end of the tray. 19. The system of claim 18 further comprising, a pallet having a footprint of about 40 inches by about 48 inches onto which the trays are arranged in a plurality of stacked layers of trays wherein each layer comprises six trays placed so that at least one cutout of each tray is directly adjacent to and in alignment with a cutout of another tray and so that at least one intermediate height cutout of each tray is directly adjacent to and in alignment with an intermediate height cutout of another tray, the configuration enabling a cooling airflow to pass through a cutout and an intermediate height cutout of the trays into the containers through the ventilation slots of the containers enabling the contents of the containers to be cooled, and out of the trays through a tray cutout and an intermediate height cutout on an opposing side of the tray. 20. A produce packaging and shipping system configured to enhance cooling properties and increase packing density, the system comprising: a produce packaging tray having a bottom and sidewalls and an approximate dimension of about 16 inches by about 20 inches, the tray including a venting arrangement with a first cutout in a first sidewall at one end of the tray and a second cutout in a second sidewall at an opposite end of the tray from the first cutout; six produce packaging containers arranged in the tray, each container including a lid that is connected to a body with a hinge and configured so that the closed container can be secured with latches and further configured such that when the lid is closed it defines at least two horizontal ventilation slots between the lid and body, the slots being disposed at opposing ends of the container, the containers being arranged in the tray in two columns of containers with each column having three containers, with each container adapted to contain about 2 lb of produce product; the plurality of containers further arranged inside the tray so that ventilation slots of the packaging containers are in alignment with ventilation slots of other packaging containers in the tray, and wherein the ventilation slots of the packaging containers are in alignment with the ventilation cutouts of the trays, enabling airflow to pass into the tray through the first cutout into the ventilation openings of the containers and through each of the containers by passing through the aligned ventilation slots of the containers and out of the cooling tray through the second cutout at the opposite end of the tray. 21. The system of claim 20 further comprising, a pallet having a footprint of about 40 inches by about 48 inches onto which the trays are arranged in a plurality of stacked layers of trays wherein each layer comprises a layer of six trays arranged so that at least one cutout of each tray is directly adjacent to and in alignment with a cutout of another tray enabling a cooling airflow to pass through a cutout of the trays, through the ventilation slots of the containers enabling the contents of the containers to be cooled, and out of the trays through a tray cutout on an opposing side of the tray. 22. The system of claim 20 further comprising, a pallet having a footprint of about 40 inches by about 48 inches onto which the trays are arranged in a plurality of stacked layers of trays wherein each layer comprises a layer of five trays arranged so that at least one cutout of each tray is directly adjacent to and in at least partial alignment with a cutout of another tray enabling a cooling airflow to pass through a cutout of the trays, through the ventilation slots of the containers enabling the contents of the containers to be cooled, and out of the trays through a tray cutout on an opposing side of the tray. 23. A produce packaging and shipping system comprising: a produce packaging tray with a venting arrangement including a first and second cutout wherein the cutouts are arranged at opposite ends of the tray; nine produce packaging containers arranged in the tray, wherein each container includes, a body having substantially vertical sidewalls and a lid connected to the body with a hinge, the container configured so that when the lid is closed it defines at least two horizontal ventilation slots between the lid and body, the slots disposed at opposing ends of the container, and latches configured to secure the container in a closed configuration; the nine containers being arranged in the tray in three rows of three containers so that the ventilation slots of the containers of each row are in alignment with the ventilation slots of other containers in the same row of containers; and the ventilation slots of the packaging containers of each row of containers are in alignment with the ventilation cutouts of the trays, enabling airflow to pass into the tray through the first cutout into the ventilation openings of the containers and through each of the containers by passing through the aligned ventilation slots of the containers and out of the cooling tray through the second cutout at the opposite end of the tray.