Every part of a glass container has a job to do. Here’s a quick tour from top to bottom.
A glass bottle looks simple, but every part of it is designed for a purpose: sealing, strength, labelling or stability on the filling line. Knowing the names of the parts makes specifications clearer and problems quicker to solve.
The same anatomy applies to jars too. They just have a wider mouth, a much shorter neck and a steeper shoulder.
We are experts in glass packaging, supporting our customers with over 100 years of joint company experience, with a genuine focus on providing industry best standards of product and service.
Stuart Alexander heads up our technical and quality department, providing a wealth of glass production experience and expertise gained over many years. Stuart is always on hand to offer support and advice and to answer any questions you may have.
The very top of a bottle or jar is called the finish. It includes the threads or lugs and the sealing surface where the closure seals. Because it has to fit the cap or lid perfectly, it is the most precisely made part of the container.
The neck connects the opening to the body and controls how the product pours. The shoulder is where the container widens out. It takes much of the load when the cap is applied. On a jar, the neck is often so short you would hardly notice it.
The body holds the product and carries the label. A smooth, even label panel and uniform glass thickness keep labels straight and the container strong.
The heel is the curved edge where the body meets the base. It takes most of the knocks on a production line. The base often has a domed push-up (or punt) for strength and stability. It also carries small moulded codes that help trace a container back to the exact mould it was made in.
Glass containers are made in moulds that come apart in two halves. If you look closely, you can see faint vertical lines running up the side of the bottle or jar and around the neck. These are where the mould halves met. They are a normal sign of how the container was made. A good container has smooth, barely noticeable seams.
From the finish to the base, every detail affects how well a glass container protects your product and performs on your production line.
At Glassworks International, our BRCGS-certified team helps food and beverage brands choose the right glass bottles and jars for their packaging requirements.
Whether you’re launching a new product range or reviewing your existing packaging, get in touch with our team. We’ll be happy to help.
Glassworks International has been supplying our many UK customers with the highest quality glass packaging, providing outstanding value and dedicated service, nationwide for 25 years.
Stuart Alexander heads up our technical and quality department, providing a wealth of glass production experience and expertise gained over many years. Stuart is always on hand to offer support and advice and to answer any questions you may have.
Glassworks International takes pride in keeping up to date with the latest technologies and trends within glass manufacturing and production.
