Your Guide to Types of Packaging Bottles

Bottles are used everyday across every industry because they are perfectly designed to protect and deliver products, especially liquids. New bottle designs appear on store shelves everyday, but at the foundation they all include five main features: finish, neck, shoulder, body, heel.

These features vary in length and sizes to accommodate certain products. Over time some bottle shapes have become a common choice in specific industries and can be identified by the following names below:

Boston Round The rounded shoulders, narrow neck for easy pouring, and wide body are distinctive features of the boston round bottle. Liquids and other highly viscous products are most commonly used with the bottle. Commonly used for essential oils, beverages, personal care, edible oils, lab supplies, automotive, and other applications.

Bullet Round The rounded shoulders, narrow neck for easy pouring, and slim body are distinctive features of the bullet round bottle. The style can also be referred to as a ‘Cosmo Round’ or an 'Imperial Round'. Bullet round bottles are commonly used for liquid products ranging from beverages to shampoos. Commonly used for personal care, cosmetics, pet care, beverages, and other applications.

Cubitainers The flexiblity of either being collapsed into a 'knocked down' version to save space or being fully assembled into a box are the distinctive characteristics of a cubitainer. The lining within the cubitainer helps extend shelf life and preserve the product. The flexibility and strength makes it a popular choice for holding and transporting liquid product. Commonly used for beverage, lab supplies, chemicals, pharmaceutical, and other applications.

Cylinder Round The sharp shoulders, narrow neck for easy pouring, and slim body are distinctive features of the cylinder round bottle. Liquids and highly viscous liquids are most commonly used with the bottle. Commonly used for food, beverage, personal care, chemicals, and other applications.

Carafe The ridges on the neck of the bottle can be uniquely identified as a ‘beehive’ carafe bottle. The ridges are designed to provide better grip for the end user. There are also other types of carafe bottles with different neck designs to provide a variety of ergonomic grips for the end user. Commonly used for household cleaners, chemicals, automotive, lawn & garden, and other applications.

Dairy Square The opaque square shape are the distinctive features of dairy square bottles. Although identified as 'dairy square', the bottle is also used for a variety of other beverage products. The opaqueness of the bottle provides a barrier from light which is especially important for dairy products which has nutrients that can quickly deteriorate if not protected. Commonly used for dairy products, juices, water, and other applications.

Diamond Round The narrow neck, tall body, and round shoulders are distinct features of the diamond round bottle. The shape is similar to Imperial Round bottles, with the exception of the body only being slightly wider. The narrow neck allows the user to accurately pour out product. Imperial round bottles are most commonly used for liquid products. Commonly used for personal care, cosmetics, pet care, beverage and other applications.

Dropper The small capacity and specifically the 18mm neck finish are distinctive features of dropper bottles. Dropper bottle sizes typically range between 5 ml to 30 ml due to the product being composed of a high concentration of ingredients such as essential oils. Commonly used for essential oils, lab supplies, e-liquid, flavors and fragrances, aromatherapy, and other applications.

F-Style The square body, handle, and narrow neck are distinct features of F-Style bottles. Liquids and solids can be filled into the bottle. The ergonomic handle at the top of the bottle and narrow neck provide better control when pouring out product. Commonly used for chemicals, industrial products, automotive, and other applications.

Industrial Round The round shoulders, thin handle, and wide body are distinct features of the industrial jug. Jug sizes typically range from 32 oz to 128 oz to accommodate a variety of products in a range of industries. The built-in handle allows easy carrying and combined with the narrow neck, liquid products can be poured precisely. Commonly used for chemicals, sauces, condiments, flavors, automotive products, and other applications.

Modern Round The slanted shoulders and label panels on the body are distinct features of the modern round bottle. The narrow opening provides the ability to pour precisely. Liquid products are most commonly used with the bottle. The indented surface of the body creates a space that protects a label from abrasion. Commonly used for pharmaceutical, personal care, chemicals, and other applications.

Packer The rounded shoulders and wide neck finish are distinct features of a packer bottle. The wide mouth opening provides easy filling and dispensing. With a wider mouth, typically solid products are filled into the bottle. Commonly used for pharmaceuticals, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and other applications.

The shapes listed above only scratches the surface of all the different bottle shapes that exist today. Speak with a packaging specialist today to learn more about which style will best your products and business needs!