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  Handle and finish attachment for a containerRelated Patent Categories: Bottles And Jars, Attachment Or Adjunct, Container Support, HandleHandle and finish attachment for a container description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070221608, Handle and finish attachment for a container. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to plastic containers having handles. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Containers for flowable products, such as liquids and granular products, have been formed of plastic by a variety of methods. For example, plastic containers have been blow molded to provide an integral container body, neck finish and handle. Other plastic containers have been formed with an integral container body and neck finish, and a separate handle attached to the container body and/or finish. Still other plastic containers have been formed by positioning an integral handle and neck finish in a blow mold (for a container body), whereby during blowing of the container body (from a separate preform) the handle and the neck finish become attached to the container body. [0003] In some instances, it may be desirable to form the container body in a blow mold without the handle being present so that the blow mold can be more simple in design, e.g., does not require recesses or pockets to form or hold the handle. It also may be desirable to use a different plastic material for the handle (than for the container body) for reasons such as strength, color, aesthetics or cost. It may further be desirable to provide a handle attached at the neck rather than the body of the container, for ease of pouring and/or one-handed use of the container and handle assembly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a container and handle assembly is provided which includes a container having a neck, and an attachment, formed separately from the container, and assembled thereto. The attachment includes a handle having an integrally formed attachment ring for embracing the neck and mounting the handle to the container. The attachment ring is split and has ring portions adapted to be separated to fit the ring over the neck and to be secured together to embrace the neck. [0005] In various embodiments, the ring is split at a position overlying the handle. The handle has two overlapping portions, each handle portion being attached to a different one of the ring portions. The ring portions preferably have ends with mating alignment members, such as a sloped projection slidable in a complementary sloped recess. The ring portions are resiliently movable to allow opening and closing of the ring. The overlapping handle portions have interengagement members, such as locking snaps, for holding the ring in a closed position. [0006] Preferably, the split ring has an attachment element for securing a closure or fitment to the container, such as a portion of a thread bead or flange. Also preferably, the split ring is positioned between upper and lower radial neck flanges, which prevent axial movement of the neck ring (with respect to the vertical axis of the container) when the handle is grasped by a user. [0007] In one embodiment, a channel is provided on one ring portion, for receiving a portion of the handle portion attached to the other ring portion when the ring is closed. This also facilitates alignment of the two ring portions. [0008] The container neck and attachment may be made of any plastic material, and it may be made of different plastic materials. For example, the container neck, as well as the entire container, may be made of polyethylene terephthalate, while the finish ring is made of polypropylene. In one embodiment, an integral blow molded and substantially transparent PET beverage container is provided with the attached handle and finish attachment. [0009] In another embodiment, a method is provided of assembling a handle attachment to a neck of a container. The method includes providing a container having a neck, providing an attachment formed separately from the container, the attachment including a handle having an integrally formed attachment ring, the attachment ring being split and having ring portions adapted to be separated. The method further includes opening the ring by separating the ring portions and positioning the open ring over an external surface of the container neck. The method further includes closing the ring by bringing together the ring portions to form a closed ring that embraces the external surface of the neck. Preferably, the handle has overlapping portions with interengagement members on the overlapping portions, and the method further includes connecting the interengagement members on the overlapping portions for securing the attachment to the container neck. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] Various embodiments of the invention will be understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which: [0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective and fragmentary view of a container and handle assembly, showing a handle and finish attachment assembled to the neck of a separate container, according to one embodiment of the invention; [0012] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, illustrating the handle and finish attachment in an open condition and removed from the container neck; [0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the handle and finish attachment, in an open condition; [0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the interior of the handle and finish attachment in an open condition; [0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interior of the handle and finish attachment in a closed condition; [0016] FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the encircled area designated in FIG. 5, showing the finish ring and upper handle portion in an open condition; [0017] FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the encircled area designated in FIG. 4, showing the finish ring and upper handle portion in a closed condition; [0018] FIG. 8 is a top view of the handle and finish attachment in an open condition; [0019] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the handle and finish attachment in a closed condition; and [0020] FIG.10 is a sectional view taken along lines 10-10 in FIG. 1, showing the finish ring assembled to the container neck. Continue reading about Handle and finish attachment for a container... Full patent description for Handle and finish attachment for a container Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Handle and finish attachment for a container patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Handle and finish attachment for a container or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Liquid container Next Patent Application: Split-ring handle and container assembly Industry Class: Bottles and jars ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Handle and finish attachment for a container patent info. 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