Method of manufacturing a blow-molded container with an integral handle

Method for forming a plastic container from an expanded preform, comprising:

• forming a preform with an integral handle having a ring and projection, wherein said ring is formed intermediate the ends of the preform and is integral with and extends substantially about a region of the preform that remains substantially constant in size during expansion, and wherein said projection is formed with upper and lower extremities in which said upper extremity extends from the ring for gripping, lifting and pouring and for distributing the stresses resulting therefrom about said ring, and said lower extremity is formed to provide the container with a generally L-shaped handle with the lower extremity in intimate contact with the final blown container,
• placing the preform in means for expansion and holding said ring by such means to properly locate and restrict the movement of the preform therewithin, and
• expanding the preform below said ring to form the plastic container with the lower extremity of the handle in intimate contact with the blown container, and
• bonding a button to the blown container and the lower extremity where they are in intimate contact to secure the lower extremity to the container.