Abstract: A reusable case 2 for bottles 4 has a plurality of pockets 64 for receiving base portions of the bottles. Each pocket 64 is equipped with a bottle side-wall gripper 15 and a bottle base support 70 for supporting the bottle 4 and orienting it so that a symmetry axis of the bottle 4 substantially coincides with a centerline of the pocket 64. Substantially coaxial with the pocket centerline is a stacking/cross-stacking case-rest 76. The cases 4 are dimensioned and the pockets 64 positioned so that cases of bottles can be arranged in layers in cross-stacked structure with the bottles 4 in each lower layer being oriented and positioned to locate closures 6 of the bottles 4 within the stacking/cross-stacking case rests 76 of the cases 2 of the next higher layer.