láhve

Láhve is the Czech term for bottles, the plural of láhev. A láhev is a container designed to hold liquids and to be sealed for storage and transport. In Czech usage the word covers bottles made from glass, plastic (notably PET), metal, and sometimes ceramic, and it refers to a wide range of sizes and shapes depending on purpose.

Common sizes include small tasting or sample bottles (roughly 125–200 ml), standard beverage bottles (roughly 330–500 ml for beer and soft drinks), and larger containers (0.75 L and above for wine and spirits). Wine bottles are typically 0.75 L, while beer bottles are often 0.33 or 0.5 L. Special shapes exist for spirits, oils, and perfumes, but the basic bottle form is a cylindrical body with a neck and opening that is sealed with a closure such as a cork, screw cap, or crown cap.

Manufacture and design: Glass bottles are traditionally produced by glassblowing or mold-blowing processes and can be finished with color, embossing, or labeling. Plastic bottles are commonly blow-molded or injection-stretched; metal bottles occur mainly for specialty products or durable outdoor use. Closures are chosen to suit the content, shelf life, and consumer convenience.

Usage and recycling: Bottles are used for food and beverages as well as chemicals and cosmetics. They are among the most commonly recycled packaging containers; glass bottles are sorted by color, cleaned, and remelted, while PET and other plastics are processed in separate streams. Many countries, including the Czech Republic, maintain bottle collection and recycling programs.