Method for forming plastic bottle with integral handle

Abstract

A plastic bottle (10) formed from a preform (30) preferably having an unexpanded long neck (15) with the configuration and dimensions of the finished bottle (10) and an unexpanded handle (16) integral with and extending from the neck (15). The handle (16) includes a support ring (13) integral with the lower end of the neck (15) and an L-shape projection (22 and 24) extending therefrom. The bottle (10) also has an expanded portion (14 and 40) below the ring (13) including a recess (29) which centrally positions the handle (16) to facilitate lifting, carrying and pouring. In forming the bottle (10) in a preferred blow molding embodiment of the invention, the neck (15) remains constant in size while the handle support ring (13) positions and restricts movement of the preform (30) and the expandable portion (38) is blown to form the desired expanded shoulder and body (14 and 40).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.