A bottle is a container that stores or transports liquids in various shapes and sizes. They can be made of a wide variety of materials, and have many different types of caps. They can be capped with internal stoppers, external bottle caps, closures, or induction sealing.
A common use for bottles is to store beverages, especially in the case of sodas and alcoholic drinks. They are also used for storing medications, cleaning products, and food items such as condiments or salad dressings.
Typically, the shape of a bottle is determined by the glassmaking process in which it was produced. Depending on the type of glass, it may be hollow or solid. It can have a beaded, rolled, or faceted finish, and it can have a beveled or curved edge.
Bottles are usually shaped into a circle or rectangle, but they can also be square or round. They can be adorned with a beveled or rolled top (crown top), beaded seal, applied color label, engraved, or printed.
Bird swing – A flaw in the glass that forms a thin membrane or shelf of glass that adheres to two wider sides and one narrow side of the bottle, often leaving a relatively thick strand spanning between them (Ceramic Industry 1949:21). The term bird swing is derived from the shape of the flaw itself; it looks like a swing of a bird, though it can vary significantly in detail.
The bottle flaws described here are usually a result of defects in the mouth-blown glassmaking process, though they can be produced on semi-automatic or fully automatic machine blown bottle molds. This is a very technical term, and it should not be confused with the terms “beaded” or “rolled,” which are more commonly found on collector based glassmaking websites.
It’s a good idea to consider your bottle flaw as part of a larger story, and the bottle flaw should serve as a vessel for other important elements of the episode. A strong bottle episode should weave together several themes, including character development, thematic exploration, and emotional conflict.
For example, in Breaking Bad, the bottle episode “Fly” centers on Walt White and Jesse Pinkman attempting to kill a fly that infiltrated their meth lab. It’s a compelling enough episode to warrant its own title, but it’s also a great example of how a good bottle episode should be written.
Another great bottle episode is Friends’ “The Box” from season 5 episode 14. It’s a classic and a good example of how a good bottle episode should incorporate multiple themes and character elements to keep the audience engaged.
Ultimately, a good bottle episode is a blend of thematic and character elements that are consistent with the rest of the series. It should also be an entertaining and unique story that will leave the audience with a smile on their face.
