Bottle Plugs: Overview and Applications
Bottle plugs are small plastic inserts that are specifically designed to fit inside standard bottle necks. Comprising of a "shank," which is the elongated lower part inserted into the bottle neck, and a "flange," the outer lip that extends just beyond the edge of the bottle neck, these plugs serve the primary purpose of controlling the flow of liquids or powders from the bottles in which they are used. Depending on the specific requirements, bottle plugs can feature various numbers and sizes of holes (orifices), making them suitable for a wide range of applications.
We have customers from a range of industries who currently buy these bottle plugs. Here are a few of the most popular uses:
- Arts and Crafts: These products can be used in the arts and crafts industry for dispensing craft paints, glues, and other creative materials.
- DIY and Home Improvement: The spouted bottle plugs and caps can be useful in the DIY sector for accurate application of adhesives, sealants, oils, and other DIY products.
- Food and Beverage: In the food and beverage industry, these products can be utilised for precise dispensing of flavourings, oils, syrups, and other liquid ingredients.
- Cosmetics and Personal Care: The spouted bottle plugs and caps can find applications in the cosmetics and personal care industry for controlled dispensing of various products such as oils, serums, lotions, and liquid makeup.
- Industrial and Manufacturing: These products can be used in industrial and manufacturing settings where precise dispensing of chemicals, solvents, lubricants, and other fluids is required.
- Pharmaceutical and Healthcare: The spouted bottle plugs and caps may also be utilised in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors for accurate dispensing of medicines, ointments, essential oils, and other healthcare products.
Which caps do they go with?
Measom Freer stocks three different types of caps: skirt seal, plug seal and wadded.
- Skirtseal caps are self-sealing on the bore of the bottle, and do not need to be used with these bottle plugs.
- Plugseal caps require a plug to create a secure seal on the bottle. These caps cannot be used on their own without a plug to seal them.
- Wadded caps have an inner plastic foam (EPS) liner that can be paired with bottle plugs to create an even more secure seal for liquids, oils or fine powders. However, Wadded Caps can also be used by themselves without the plugs.
How are bottle plugs quality checked?
As with all our products, bottle plugs go through several different quality checking processes. Checks first take place on the induvial plug starting with a visual check to see whether there are any issues with its shape, and to ensure all orifices are clear. Next, the diameter of the shank is checked with a number of different ring gauges.
Plugs are then matched with an appropriate bottle and plugseal cap, and a manual leak test and a vacuum test performed to ensure product will not leak from the bottle past the plug and cap.
What bottle plugs do we make?
Bottle plugs are a stock item for Measom Freer, and they are stocked in natural, recyclable LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene). LDPE has very slightly flexible properties making the plugs easier to get in and out of bottle necks. Sizes range from 15mm across to 24mm, with a range of different size and number of orifices.
In terms of caps to pair with bottle plugs, we have smooth and ribbed plugseal caps ranging from 15mm – 24mm. These come in black and white as stocked items and matched colours to order. Additionally, we have tall plugseal caps in 15mm, 18mm and 20mm that are stocked in white.
If customers need bottle plugs or plugseal caps that are not part of our stocked range, we can still help. Plugs and caps can be made in custom colours, or in different materials. Additionally, we can make plugs with a membrane over the orifices that allows a seal to be placed over the contents of the bottle that can then be manually broken.
If you would like to discuss any of our bottle plugs and caps please get in touch today by contacting our friendly sales team on 0116 288 1588 or email [email protected].