A bottle is a container, usually made of glass, for holding liquids such as milk, formula and beer. A bottle can also be used for storing and transporting other materials such as dry goods or even solids preserved in liquid. A bottle can have a variety of shapes and forms, but is typically cylindrical or conical. Bottles can be labelled with a variety of methods including applied color label, pyroglazing, silk screening, baked enamel labeling, painted and printing (see the General Bottle Typology page).
Bottles were initially created as simple containers for containing a wide range of liquids, from soft drinks to pharmaceuticals. Bottles are incredibly versatile and can be found in all manner of industries. They offer consumers hygienic, easy access to the product within – reducing accidental product wastage and spoilage. They can be topped with various closures to ensure the product is kept safe and secure – protecting it from air and contamination until it’s needed.
Most bottles have a neck which enables them to be easily filled, sealed and closed with either a cap or cork. They can be designed with a number of different features such as a flared lip or a narrow neck opening. They can also have a variety of finishes including smooth or ribbed. Bottles can be made of a wide range of materials including metal, plastic and glass.
Some of the most common bottles have sides which are roughly straight but then curved to form a shoulder. This is useful for catching sediment and makes the bottle easier to stack. Traditionally this type of bottle was used for Bordeaux wines, but it is now found worldwide. The Champagne bottle has similar characteristics but is slightly larger and heavier to withstand the pressure of carbonation.
Glass is an amazing material, which has many uses and advantages. It is a unique material in that it is a transparent solid, yet has high thermal shock and chemical resistance. The choice of glass to use for a specific application depends on the performance specifications that are required. Bottles for wine, for example, must be strong enough to resist the stresses of aging and temperature changes, while bottles for pharmaceutical products must meet stringent medical standards.
The main constituents of glass are silica (SiO2) and sodium oxide (Na2O). Silica is the key ingredient as it provides both the hardness and transparency of the finished bottle. Sodium oxide lowers the melting point of silica, making it easier to melt and form.
The bottle manufacturing process has a significant environmental impact. The raw materials are non-renewable and the manufacturing plants produce a great deal of waste water. When discarded, bottles can contaminate the environment if disposed of improperly. The majority of bottles are disposed of in landfills where they decompose, producing methane gas which is a potent greenhouse gas. Some bottles are recycled, but this has only moderate environmental benefits.
