A student at Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication has found a way to squeeze 17% more cans on to a pallet.

The reusable HDPE can crate, designed by product design graduate Thomas Wooller, is shaped around the cans, rather than being a standard rectangle.

Each crate tessellates with the next so that space is not wasted in between.

The customised shape of the can crate means that 36 more cans will fit per layer on a standard pallet, compared to using square crates.

Wooller said he hoped the crate would prove to be environmentally and financially beneficial.

Wooller added: "The crate also protects and displays tinned products to a very high standard, reducing damage."

The crate is injection moulded and is intended to be reused in the supply chain.

It could also be used to display products in stores.