A ‘Transparent’ Dive into Glass Blog Series Part II: Navigating the Manufacturing Intricacies

Welcome to the second of TricorBraun’s three-part series on why glass is a beneficial choice for a new product launch or redesign.

(Editor’s Note: To read Part I: Understanding the Benefits of Glass, click here.)

Once you determine that glass is the right option, choosing to customize your package design —whether through the shape or decoration— with your consumers' preferences in mind will resonate deeply and drive brand loyalty.

But first, several manufacturing intricacies about glass are essential to understand.

• Contact Areas - Two contact points at the shoulder and the heel are important for high-speed filling and labeling lines. Because glass bottles will bump into each other on the operational lines, two contact points will provide stability, preventing tipping and glass breakage, which, in turn, minimizes scrap. The exception to this design rule may apply to brands with lower-volume batch needs, which can leverage a manual process. One example of a brand that worked around the two contact point design rule is Ikeda Feingold’s The 1970 Vodka, which displays a unique, stylish glass bottle shape.
• Structural Design - Soft-angled bottle shoulders improve vertical load strength, which is critical for the palletization of glass bottles for shipping and storage. Also, ensure a large radius size at the base of the bottle to avoid chipping corners and to prevent slipping and breakage in boxes during transit.
• High-Pressure Products - The glass bottle must be strong enough to withstand the pressure and carbonation of high-pressure products such as beer and champagne. Round glass bottles are the only choice as sharp edges create weaknesses and lead to breakage.

As there are several intricacies involved with glass, it’s important to engage the right partner to help understand vital design considerations for the utilization of glass packaging. Whether based on brand requirements, manufacturing requirements (e.g., filling, labeling), or distribution needs, TricorBraun’s award-winning Design & Engineering team work in tandem with a packaging quality team to bring comprehensive knowledge of what is possible.

TricorBraun’s team can also customize your pack-out configuration (e.g., flexible delivery options in bulk, 6-pack or 12-pack cartons). For more information, please contact us here.