
Bottle Parts: Understanding the Anatomy of a Bottle
Bottles are a vital part of packaging. While the anatomy of each bottle is similar, differences in their shape and size can make them suitable for certain industries, products, and applications. Understanding the parts of a bottle can help you shop and compare various types of bottles, making it easy to choose the right one for your business needs.


What Are the Different Parts of a Bottle?
Bottles generally consist of three main parts: the top, the body, and the bottom. Each part contains key characteristics that can differ by bottle. These parts work together to ensure the bottle can hold and dispense contents while remaining stable and secure.
The top of a bottle is essential for sealing the contents inside and preventing leaks. This includes having threads or a snap mechanism to ensure a tight seal.
The base of a bottle refers to the main section of the bottle, which is designed to hold the liquid or contents. It is typically the largest part and comes in various shapes and sizes.
The bottom of bottles provide stability for the container. The bottom typically features a push-up to ensure balance in the container.
Anatomy of a Bottle
A bottle's anatomy consists of several smaller characteristics that contribute to each main part. These parts play a crucial role in the functionality of the bottle.


At the very top, there's the mouth, sealing surface, finish, thread, and neck. Below the top of the bottle is the shoulder and the base. Finally, the bottom of the bottle provides stability with the help of the base, heel, and push-up.
There is also one part of the bottle that is present from top to bottom: the mold seam. This is the vertical line that runs through the neck ring and the rest of the bottles finish. The ridge of the mold seam indicates where two halves of the finish molds meet.
Top of the Bottle
Mouth
The mouth is the opening of the bottle where contents are poured both in and out. The diameter of the mouth can range from anywhere between narrow or wide.
Sealing Surface
The sealing surface is the flat, top area around the mouth of the neck finish. This makes direct contact with the inside of the liner in the closure to form a seal.
Finish
The finish is the top part of the bottle, positioned just above the neck. The finish is shaped to accommodate specific types of closures, keeping them securely in place.
Thread
The thread is the twisted spiral on the bottle's neck, made to match corresponding caps and closures. This allows caps to be twisted onto the bottle. Matching a closure with the right thread is important to ensure the container can seal correctly.
Neck
The neck is the section of the bottle that is above the shoulder and below the finish.
Body of the Bottle
Shoulder
The shoulder is the part of the bottle that transitions between the main body and the neck. The slope of the shoulder controls how quickly a product is dispensed when the bottle is inverted.
Body
The body is the main part of the bottle. The sidewalls are usually vertical. The body of a bottle can come in various shapes such as round, oval, square and more.
Label Panel
Label panels are the flat area on the body of the bottle designed for the application of labels or prints.
Bottom of the Bottle
Base
The base is a surface that forms a ring around the outside of the bottom where the bottle rests. The ring provides stability and an even bearing surface.
Heel
The heel is the point in the bottle where the body curves from vertical to horizontal into the base.
Push-up
The push-up is a concaving dome in the center of the base. This feature helps prevent a bottle from rocking. The push-up can range in depth, anywhere from a slight concave to a deep one.
Additional Features of Bottles
Material
Bottles can be made from a variety of materials. Common types include glass, plastic, and metal. Each material has its own benefits. Choosing the right one depends on your needs and the application the bottle will be used for.
Glass is a popular option for applications that require durability and good preservation, such as wine, beer, liquor, and cosmetics. Plastic bottles are lightweight, shatter-resistant, and commonly used for non-alcoholic beverages and household products. Metal bottles are most commonly known for their strength and insulation properties, keeping liquids hot or cold for extended periods.
Color
The color of a bottle can be used for both functional and aesthetic reasons.
Clear bottles are often used to show the contents inside, making them ideal for products such as water, juices, and spirits. Glass bottles in particular may come in amber or blue. These colors block out UV light, helping to preserve the contents. Green bottles are often seen as a symbol for premium brands, commonly being used for wine and beer.
For a more aesthetic look, bottles can be found in a variety of colors. Common colors include black, white, green, blue, purple, and more.
Recycling Symbol
Recycling symbols are often found on the bottom of plastic bottles. These markings are referred to as Resin Identification Codes (RIC) and look like a chasing arrow in the shape of a triangle surrounding a number ranging from one to seven. The numbers symbolize the type of plastic that was used to make the bottle. This symbol not only helps us identify what kind of plastic containers are made of, but it also helps recycling plants sort and categorize plastics based on their type.
Ready to Find Your Ideal Bottle?
Whether you need glass or plastic bottles, The Cary Company is sure to have the solution for you. We offer a variety of bottles to fit your style, closure, capacity, and color needs.
Have any questions? Interested in finding a specific type of bottle? Contact one of our product specialists available to answer any questions and recommend products for you. -- Just give us a call at 630.629.6600 or email us at sales@thecarycompany.com!