Container with multiple integral connection handle, preform and method of manufacture

A preform for a container comprised of orientable plastics material and arranged so that the resultant blown container will include a handle, said preform comprising:

• a moulded structure having a neck portion and an expandable portion below the neck portion;
• a locating ring between the neck portion and the expandable portion;
• a first non-expanding region below the locating ring, the first non-expanding region formed so as to be slightly raised or otherwise differentiated from the expandable portion of said perform;
• a second non-expanding region below the first non-expanding region, wherein the second non-expanding region is not differentiated from the expandable portion of said perform;
• and
• at least one loop of orientable plastics material integrally connected at both a first end and a second end to a respective first location and a separate second location on said preform which when the container is formed constitutes said handle, the loop including a first rib integrally moulded therewith, and a second rib integrally moulded with and extending from the second non-expanding region.