Bottle pouch with rigid handle

A method of making a bottle pouch with an integrated fitment and inner support handle piece comprising:

• providing a flexible pouch in the shape of a bottle comprising i) a flexible pouch body with a handle region and at least one outer sleeve or loop coupled to an outer periphery of the flexible pouch body, the at least one outer sleeve or loop including a first outer sleeve or loop, the first outer sleeve or loop having a first open end, a second open end opposite the first open end, and an interior extending between the first open end and the second open end, ii) a combined fitment and inner support handle piece comprising a fitment portion and an inner support handle piece portion, the inner support handle piece portion having a proximal end adjacent and attached directly to the fitment portion and a distal end opposite the proximal end;
• and iii) a rigid handle portion extending from the distal end of the inner support handle piece portion, wherein the inner support handle piece portion extends from the outer periphery of the fitment portion,
• coupling the combined fitment and inner support handle piece to the flexible pouch,
• passing the inner support handle piece portion through the first open end and through the interior of the first outer sleeve or loop wherein the entire inner support handle piece is external to the flexible pouch body, and
• passing the inner support handle piece portion from the interior of the first outer sleeve or loop through the second open end to an exterior of the first outer sleeve or loop and to an exterior of the flexible pouch body adjacent to the handle region of the flexible pouch body to form the rigid handle portion that increases the rigidity of the handle region of the flexible pouch.