A bottle is a narrow-necked container made of an impermeable material in a variety of shapes and sizes that stores and transports liquids. A bottle’s mouth, at the top of its neck, can be plugged, corked, or capped to seal it. The term may also be used to describe a quantity of intoxicating liquor or a small amount of an emotional or medical substance:
The most common bottles are glass, which provide effective protection against moisture and light. They are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. Often, a label is applied to the bottle and may include information such as capacity, a brand name, or a warning. Some bottles are made to be refilled, which can save consumers money and reduce waste. Other containers, such as paper cups and plastic water bottles, are designed to be single-use.
There are a variety of types and styles of bottles, with some being more durable than others. Some have curved or angular shapes, while others are straight or round. In addition, insulated bottles are available that can help keep beverages cold or hot for longer periods of time. When shopping for a bottle, shoppers should consider the desired capacity and how easy it is to clean and sterilize.
Many television shows feature “bottle episodes” to slow down the pace of the storyline and allow characters more time to develop. Rather than simply moving the plot forward, these episodes allow the showrunner to explore character and build tension. A strict definition of a bottle episode includes an episode that is filmed on one prebuilt set, includes only the main cast members, and requires fewer special effects.
While a majority of TV shows feature these introspective episodes, some of the most memorable and interesting are “bottle episodes” that have a more dramatic effect. A few examples are Walt and Jesse locked in a room while trying to catch a fly in Breaking Bad, or Don and Peggy working into the late hours divulging secrets in Mad Men.
Physicists have long dreamed of creating ideal glass, a material that is neither a liquid nor a solid. Such a material would be extremely strong, yet lightweight, because the particles of its materials are disordered and not arranged in a regular crystalline structure. This understanding could lead to new materials that have unique physical properties, such as smartphone screens that are bendy or less likely to crack, or nuclear waste bottles that can be held for much longer periods of time.
Other features of a bottle include the lip, the upper surface of the finish (which may be known as the collar on some bottles). The shoulder is the transition zone between the body and the neck. The heel is the lower portion of the body and may have a recessed area for labeling. The base, an even bearing surface that extends around the inside of the heel and surrounds the pushup, is sometimes given a stippled finish to mask scratches from handling.
