VOLUME VARIATION OF BOTTLED FOODS. 7 



round, square, or oval, and the necks long and conical or cylindrical, 

 or short and cylindrical. The type of shoulder shown in these figures, 

 while of minor significance in some cases, is important in others and 

 illustrates the type to which the data reported in this bulletin apply. 

 It is intended that the results be applicable to the simplest and most 

 prevalent types of bottles used for food purposes. 



" GOOD COMMERCIAL PRACTICE " IN BOTTLING. 



In considering the specifications which should be met by a com- 

 mercial practice considered to be " good," the demands of the con- 

 sumer and the law, as well as the ability of the bottler to meet the 

 requirements, have been taken into account. Because of the trans- 

 parency of the bottle, the bottler attempts to cater to the demands of 

 the consumer that the bottle be as full as practicable, considering the 

 necessary head space. When the bottler receives a shipment of 

 bottles which are over capacity, he hesitates to fill the bottles with a 

 larger quantity without changing the quantity of contents declaration 

 on the label. On the other hand, when bottles which are under 

 capacity are received the law demands that the contents declaration 

 be changed to make the statement correct. If the true capacity of 

 the bottle to the usual filling point differs only slightly from that 

 desired, there is a possibility of making a slight increase or decrease 

 in the height of fill. This change in the height of fill necessitates 

 instructing a number of employees who have been trained to fill to 

 a certain height. It also requires a change in the setting of filling 

 machines if such are used. A further inconvenience is suffered by 

 the necessity for the determination of the proper height of fill. A 

 material change in height of fill, therefore, can be regarded only as 

 a temporary expedient. It will be suffered by the manufacturer 

 only long enough to permit him to give proper instructions to the 

 bottle manufacturer from whom he makes his purchases. While 

 readjustments are taking place, it is not considered that the bottler 

 has yet attained conditions of good commercial practice. 



It is evident that the first step of the bottler in eliminating his 

 difficulties with respect to the variation in capacity of the bottles 

 he receives is to make definite specifications in his orders. The law 

 requires that the. quantity of liquids shall be declared by volume. The 

 height to which the bottler fills his bottles can be varied slightly, 

 but to meet the demands of the law and the public he is required to 

 demand of the bottle manufacturer a bottle with a definite capacity 

 at a height of fill which will satisfy the public. This condition can 

 be attained by inserting in the specifications in his orders the require- 

 ment that the bottle have a specified capacity at a definite height of 

 fill. This is considered the first condition of good commercial 

 practice. 



