Dropping & Dispensing Bottles
  • Dropping bottles are ideal for storing and dispensing small volumes.
  • Choose KIMBLE® clear dropper bottles with jointed pipet for general purpose use and for determining the oil absorption of pigments.
  • Choose black or white WHEATON® plastic dropping bottles made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) to help protect UV light-sensitive samples.
  • Select WHEATON® dropping bottle in vial file for protocols that require multiple LDPE bottles which deliver small volume (µL) drop sizes.
  • Choose WHEATON® extended controlled dropping bottle tips when you need a range of small volume (µL) drop sizes.

Dropping & Dispensing Bottles FAQs

Dropping & Dispensing Bottles

Frequently Asked Questions

A dropping bottle is a laboratory apparatus used to dispense small amounts of liquid in a controlled manner, either one drop at a time or in a stream. A dropping bottle is a reliable alternative to a pipetting device.

The difference between a dropping bottle and a dispensing bottle is in the volume ranges they are designed to handle. Dropping bottles typically dispense precise and small amounts of liquid, ranging from approximately 18-63 µL. In contrast, dispensing bottles dispense larger volumes starting at 1 mL or more.

The function of a dropping bottle is to provide an accurate and consistent means of delivering small volumes of liquid in uniform, single-drop sizes. A dropping bottle has a small opening which helps to minimize the risk of contamination, as it prevents the introduction of impurities or foreign particles into the liquid being dispensed.

A dropping bottle can be made of either glass or plastic.

  • Glass dropping bottles are reusable, chemically resistant, and typically made of borosilicate or soda-lime glass.
  • Amber glass dropping bottles offer UV protection for their content, making them ideal for light-sensitive materials.
  • Plastic dropping bottles made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) are suitable for dispensing most acids, bases, and alcohols.

To choose between plastic or glass dropping bottles, you need to be clear on your experiment goals and preferences. Some factors to consider include:

  • Chemical compatibility of the liquid you will be dispensing. Evaluate the restrictions and recommendations for how the liquid might react with the plastic or glass.
  • Fragility and durability of the plastic or glass dropping bottle. Assess how the dropping bottle may respond to rough handling or transportation. Plastic bottles are lightweight and more resistant to impact, while glass bottles are more resistant to chemical reactions and susceptible to breakage if mishandled.

Yes. Colored bottles from amber glass can provide adequate ultraviolet (UV) protection for light-sensitive reagents. The amber-colored glass bottles act as a filter, reducing UV light transmission (within a wavelength range of 10 and 400 nm) into the bottle. This helps to reduce the degradation of light-sensitive reagents caused by UV light exposure.

The degree of UV protection for light-sensitive reagents can vary depending on the UV light's specific wavelength and intensity, and the exposure duration. Additional UV protection must be taken for extremely light-sensitive reagents.