Bailing assembly for plastic handle application

Abstract

An apparatus and method for attaching inconsistent length plastic handles to a container. The apparatus comprises a mandrel having a bottom diameter less than that of the container and a top diameter greater than that of the container. The container rests on the mandrel until uneven forces are applied by attachment of a handle having unequal length sides, at which time the shorter arm of the handle engages the container first, causing the corresponding sides of the container to slide upwardly on the mandrel and the opposite side to slide downwardly. The downward sliding places the corresponding receptacle closer to the longer arm of the handle facilitating engagement. A die having a body and an arcuate shaped handle forming area adjacent a recess in the body delivers the handle to the container. The recess also includes end portions tapered in the direction of the arcuate bend of the handle forming area.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.