Method for forming a container from bi-axially orientable plastics material and having an integral handle

A method of making a hollow blow molded article from a preform of thermoplastic polymer, the preform having an interior cavity, an exterior wall, a neck portion and a handle attached to the exterior wall at two points and extending from the exterior wall in a coiled configuration, the method comprising:

• inserting the preform into a blow mold having
• a hollow article-defining blow mold cavity and movable mold segments;
• orienting the preform in a manner to provide sufficient heat behind the handle while not overheating the handle;
• reorienting the preform prior to blowing the container so that the handle is in a proper alignment with the blow mold;
• securing the neck portion;
• extending a modified stretch rod within the internal cavity, causing the preform to stretch such that a distance between the attachment points of the handle increases by an amount sufficient to uncoil the handle while leaving a sufficient gap between the preform and the handle and without stretching the handle;
• closing the mold causing the handle to be trapped by a movable handle pocket of the blow mold in an initial position;
• supplying blow air to the interior cavity, causing the preform to inflate and causing the movable handle pocket to move to a finished position of the hollow blow molded article;
• opening the blow mold;
• and
• removing the blow molded article, allowing the movable handle pocket to retract to the initial position.