Antonio Mcgowan
The squeeze thing on an antique perfume bottle is called an atomizer. Atomizers are bottles with flexible stoppers that pump air into a liquid to create a mist. They are normally found on dressing-table size perfume bottles and are usually made of rubber. The bulb portion often doubles the amount of space for the whole unit, and collars and connectors can be leaky when tilted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Atomizers, Bulb Atomizers |
| Mechanism | Pump air into a liquid to create a mist |
| Parts | Bulb, Collar, Connectors, Tube, Tail, Cover, Glass Bottle |
| Materials | Rubber, Silk, Brass, Gold, Nickel, Sterling Silver, Chrome, Glass |
| Functionality | Not practical, leaks, needs to be sprayed upright |
| Use | Used for perfumes and colognes, now mostly used for spray bottles |
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What You'll Learn
- Atomizers: These are bottles with flexible stoppers that pump air into a liquid to create a mist
- Bulb atomizers: They are made of rubber with tubing and are squeezable to spray perfume
- Vintage atomizers: These are described by the age and type of glass perfume bottle
- Antique atomizers: These are from before the turn of the century and may not have a squeeze mechanism
- Refillable atomizers: Modern atomizers can be refilled and used for perfume oils or water
Atomizers: These are bottles with flexible stoppers that pump air into a liquid to create a mist
Atomizers are a type of perfume bottle with a unique mechanism for dispensing the liquid within. They are characterised by their flexible stoppers, which, when squeezed, pump air into the bottle and force a mist of the liquid out through a tube and nozzle. The flexible stopper, often made of rubber, is usually in the shape of a bulb or ball, and this is squeezed to create the spray.
The atomizer was a common way of dispensing perfume in the past, particularly for dressing-table size bottles, and they are now considered vintage or antique. They were refillable, with perfume purchased separately and funnelled into the atomizer. The atomizer's mechanism has been described as old technology, as today most perfumes come in a spray bottle. However, the atomizer was an important invention in the history of perfume, and its ability to create a mist had practical applications. For example, in Victorian times, it was not socially acceptable to remove clothing in hot weather, but misting oneself with light perfumes was acceptable and could disguise unpleasant odours.
The bulb portion of the atomizer often doubled the size of the whole unit, and the collars and connectors were often leaky if the bottle was tilted. The atomizer's rubber pump ball was sometimes covered with a fine silk cloth in the shape of a sock, with long, silky fringe as a decorative feature. The collars connecting the pump cords to the bottles were often made of brass and plated with gold, nickel, or even sterling silver.
Today, atomizers are still available, with modern versions offering a tighter seal to prevent leakage and evaporation of the perfume. They are considered decorative items, with some featuring tassels and thick glass that does not break easily.
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Bulb atomizers: They are made of rubber with tubing and are squeezable to spray perfume
Bulb atomizers are a type of perfume dispenser that uses a rubber bulb with tubing to spray perfume. They are usually attached to a glass perfume bottle and are squeezable, which creates a mist of fine perfume droplets that can be sprayed onto the body. The rubber bulb pumps air into the bottle, forcing the perfume out through the tube and creating a mist.
Bulb atomizers are often described as vintage or antique and were commonly seen in old Hollywood films. They were typically used with dressing-table size perfume bottles, not smaller bottles intended for purses or pockets. The bulb portion often doubled the size of the unit, and the collars and connectors were prone to leaking when tilted.
While bulb atomizers may not be practical for modern-day use, they are considered charming and aesthetically pleasing. Some people may prefer the vintage look of the atomizer over its functionality, as older rubber bulbs can lose resilience over time.
Today, bulb atomizers can be purchased as standalone items or as attachments for existing perfume bottles. They are often refillable, allowing users to add their own diluted scents as needed.
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Vintage atomizers: These are described by the age and type of glass perfume bottle
Vintage atomizers are typically described by the age and type of glass perfume bottle. They are bottles with flexible stoppers that pump air into a liquid to create a mist. Many vintage atomizers were refillable, with no liquid inside when purchased, and were intended to be refilled with diluted scent as needed. The perfume was often bought at a local druggist's shop and decanted into the owner's bottle.
Vintage atomizers are usually associated with dressing-table-size perfume bottles, not miniature bottles designed for purses or pockets. The bulb portion often doubled the space of the unit, and the collars and connectors were often leaky when tilted. The atomizers had a single tiny hole in the collar, which determined the direction of the spray. The collars were glued to the neck of the glass bottle, so they didn't swivel, and the bottle had to be held in a particular way to use the spray.
The focus of some manufacturers was not on the atomizing process but on the design of the bottle. Some vintage atomizers feature elaborate pressed-glass or unique hand-painted designs. Atomizers from before the turn of the century may have a mechanism other than a squeeze balloon to pump air into the liquid and out through the spray head. Some Victorian spray bottles were given unusual kinds of pumps.
After 1910, DeVillbiss & Co. of Toledo supplied most atomizers to American glass companies. These early squeeze balls were made of rubber, which lost its resilience over time, and collectors today often prefer the vintage look to functionality. The collars of very old atomizers were usually made of brass, with some featuring gold or nickel plating, and a few were even sterling silver.
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Antique atomizers: These are from before the turn of the century and may not have a squeeze mechanism
The squeeze mechanism on antique perfume bottles is called an atomizer. Atomizers are bottles with flexible stoppers that pump air into a liquid to create a mist. They are usually made of glass, metal, and chrome. Some antique atomizers, from before the turn of the century, may not have a squeeze mechanism. These atomizers may have some other mechanism to pump air into the liquid and out through the spray head.
Vintage atomizers are normally found on dressing-table-size perfume bottles, not miniature bottles intended for purses or pockets. The bulb portion often doubles the amount of space for the whole unit, and the collars and connectors were often leaky when tilted. One area of experimentation was the cover on the rubber pump ball. Fine silk cloth in the shape of a sock was commonly glued around the ball, and many had long silky fringes as a dangling eye-catcher. These came in a wide range of colours and textures. Some makers chose to focus on the design of the bottle, creating elaborate pressed-glass or unique hand-painted designs.
Atomizers were also known as "misters" and were used by people in Victorian times to spray themselves with light perfumes to deal with the heat and disguise unpleasant odours. Most vintage atomizers were refillable, and the perfume was typically purchased at a local druggist's shop and decanted into the owner's bottle.
The earliest atomizers were bulb atomizers, which were followed by pump atomizers. The pump variety never became very popular, probably due to the difficulty in handling them. Women complained that their hands and gloves became soiled when using them, as liquid would often ooze out.
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Refillable atomizers: Modern atomizers can be refilled and used for perfume oils or water
The squeeze thing on an antique perfume bottle is called an atomizer, specifically a bulb atomizer. These were commonly made of rubber and featured a tube and a flexible stopper that, when squeezed, pumped air into the bottle to create a mist of perfume.
Refillable Atomizers
Modern atomizers can be purchased empty and refilled with perfume or water. They are often designed for travel, allowing users to carry their favourite scents without having to take a full-sized bottle with them. Many atomizers are available in small sizes, making them perfect for travel.
Some modern atomizers feature a leather or metal outer shell, while others are made of plastic or glass. Some atomizers are also designed to be leak-proof, which is ideal for travel. They can be purchased from a variety of online retailers, including Amazon and FragranceNet.com, and are often available at a discount.
In addition to perfume, atomizers can be used for other liquids, such as water, to mist oneself on hot days. They can also be used for perfume oils, which typically come in splash bottles.
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Frequently asked questions
The squeeze thing on an antique perfume bottle is called an atomizer.
An atomizer is a bottle with a flexible stopper that pumps air into a liquid to create a mist. Atomizers are often made of glass and have a flexible bulb or rubber pump ball that, when squeezed, releases the liquid in the bottle as a mist or spray.
You can buy atomizers from websites such as aftosa.com, perfumeatomizersking.com, and Amazon.
