Flip-top facts for kids
A flip-top is a cool way to seal bottles, especially for fizzy drinks like soda or sparkling water! You might also hear it called a swing-top or lightning toggle.
This special cap uses a stopper, often made of porcelain or plastic, with a rubber gasket (that's a fancy word for a seal). Wires hold it tightly in place. The best part? You can open and close the bottle many times without needing a bottle opener! The wires work like a small clamp. Before the regular metal bottle cap was invented, flip-tops were the main way to seal bottles of beer and mineral water. Sometimes, this type of closure is also called a "bail" closure.
History of Flip-Top Bottles
Before flip-top bottles, many bottles were made from blown glass. They were often sealed with a cork. These corks could be tricky to open by hand. They also weren't always reliable, especially for fizzy drinks. The pressure from the bubbles could sometimes push the cork out!
A very early version of the flip-top was invented in 1859. It was called the "bail" or "Kilner" closure. This design used a lid with a seal, held down by a wire harness. It was sealed by a separate set of wires.
The very first true flip-top closure was created by Charles de Quillfeldt in the United States. He applied for a patent on November 30, 1874. A patent is like an official document that says you invented something. The rights to his invention were later bought by Henry W. Putnam. He made some changes to the design so it could be used on fruit jars. On April 25, 1882, he received his own patent for it. He called it "Trademark Lightning," and the jars became known as "lightning jars." Over the years, many other types of flip-top designs have been made.
Why Homebrewers Love Them
Many people who make their own drinks at home, called homebrewers, really like flip-top bottles. They are super easy to close after you fill them up. Plus, you don't need a special tool to cap them, which makes bottling much simpler!
Gallery
- Various flip-top closures
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Preserving jar with bail closure, opened and closed
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Flip-top seal used for crown cork bottles
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Flip-top beer bottles
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Mini bottle of herbal liqueur
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Pottery jug with bail closure
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Aluminum flip-top bottle
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Large beer bottle with flip-top
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Unopened Grolsch beer bottle
