A bottle is a container with a narrow neck and wider body, usually of glass or some other material. It is used to hold liquids such as wine, porter or cyder and also dry products such as medicines or cosmetics. The word is also used as a general term for the entire contents of such a container (see below).
The word bottle is a generic one, and thus can be applied to many different kinds of containers – e.g. a glass, a metal or even an empty can. It can also refer to a container made of other materials such as wood or leather, but the vast majority are made of glass.
A glass is an inorganic solid that is transparent or translucent and brittle. It is a product of fusion that has cooled too quickly to crystallize and so lacks the internal structural boundaries that are found in most other kinds of materials such as metals, ceramics and plastics. Glasses are formed when ingredients such as silica sand are heated to high temperatures and then cooled rapidly. This allows the sand to form into a wide range of shapes and sizes without crystallizing, and makes it possible to manufacture bottles of various types and capacities.
In the past, bottles were made of glass and other materials such as wood or leather; however, with modern advancements in science and technology, more durable plastics have become available. Bottles are now made of a variety of materials such as PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC and others. Bottles made from these materials are characterized by their strength, clarity, chemical resistance and the ability to be shaped into many unique designs. These bottle resins are chosen based on industry requirements, regulatory approvals, food contact safety, and environmental and sustainability standards.
PET is the most common type of plastic for bottles in North America. It is made from the polymerization of ethylene, and is used to package a wide variety of liquids including milk, soda, motor oil and shampoo as well as some dry products such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. It is a highly recyclable material, and has excellent barrier properties against solvents and oxygen.
Polyvinyl chloride is a very durable plastic with good barrier properties, and a low temperature resistance. It is a popular choice for bottles that will be used for food and beverage, and can be molded to create very complex and unique shapes. It is FDA approved for food contact and can withstand a wide variety of chemicals. Like other plastics, it can be recycled over and over.