The limitations of earthenware bottles, particularly for highly carbonated waters, prompted a shift to glass bottles. Early glass bottles typically featured round bottoms, a design choice intended to ensure the bottles were stored on their sides. This position kept the corks moist, thereby reducing the risk of leakage from drying corks. The manufacturing of glass bottles was initially a skilled, hand-blown process, requiring considerable expertise.
The introduction of semi-automated processes began to change the industry, but the real breakthrough came in 1904 when Michael J. Owens of the USA received a patent for the first automatic glass bottle blowing machine. This innovation revolutionized bottle production, making it more efficient and scalable.
Despite advancements in bottle manufacturing, the high pressure inside carbonated bottles continued to cause leakage. Corks, even when reinforced with wiring, proved inadequate. This led to the development of various sealing mechanisms, which can be broadly categorized into three types. First, wire and rubber sealing devices, popular in the USA until the early 1900s, included both internal spring forms and external swing types. The latter, patented by Charles de Quillfeldt in 1874, remains in use for certain specialty bottles.
Second, variations utilizing internal balls made from rubber, ebonite, or glass were introduced. These balls were held in place by internal pressure. The most successful of these was Hiram Codd’s bottle, widely used in the UK from the 1870s until the 1930s. A similar design by S. Twitchell in 1883 featured a floating rubber ball.
The third category involved internal screw top bottles. Unlike modern bottles, these had threads inside the neck with ebonite or wooden stoppers. Ebonite soon replaced wood due to its moisture resistance, ensuring a better seal. These stoppers were common in the UK until the 1950s.
A major leap in sealing technology came in 1895 when William Painter patented the ‘Crown Cork’, founding the Crown Cork and Seal Company in 1892. Despite initial resistance due to existing investments in returnable bottles and the need for a removal tool, the crown cork gained popularity, especially for small single-serve bottles and beer.
Glass bottles dominated carbonate packaging for over a century until the introduction of cans in the 1960s. This period marked significant advancements in packaging and distribution, paralleling the earlier product development boom of the late nineteenth century. The ongoing innovation in packaging reflects the industry's adaptability and commitment to meeting consumer needs effectively.
Evolution of Natural Spring Water Packaging: From Earthenware to Modern Bottles
