Handle and finish attachment for a container

Abstract

A container and handle assembly includes a container having a neck, and an attachment formed separately from the container and assembled thereto. The attachment includes a handle and an integrally formed ring, the ring being split and having ring portions adapted to be separated to fit the ring over the neck and to be secured together to embrace the neck for mounting the handle assembly to the container. The handle includes a pair of overlapping handle portions, each secured to a respective ring portion. The overlapping handle portions may be snap fit together for securing the attachment to the container.

1 . A container and handle assembly comprising: 
 a container having a neck, and    an attachment assembled to the container and being formed separately therefrom, the attachment including a handle having an integrally formed attachment ring for embracing the neck and mounting the handle to the container, the attachment ring being split and having ring portions adapted to be separated to fit the ring over the neck and to be secured together to embrace the neck.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the ring is split at a position overlying the handle.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the handle has two overlapping handle portions, each handle portion being attached to a different one of the ring portions.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the overlapping handle portions have interengagement members for holding the ring in a closed position.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the interengagement members are snap fit together.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the ring portions are resiliently movable to open and close the ring.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the ring portions have ends with mating alignment members.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the alignment members comprise a sloped projection slidable in a complimentary sloped recess.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the ring includes an attachment element for securing a closure or fitment.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the attachment element is at least a portion of a thread, bead or flange.  
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the container neck has upper and lower outwardly extending radial flanges, and the ring is positioned between and engages the flanges.  
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein a channel is provided on one ring portion for receiving, when the ring is closed, a part of the handle portion attached to the other ring portion.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the container neck and the split ring have engaging outer and inner cylindrical surfaces, respectively.  
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the container neck is made of one plastic material, and the attachment is made of a different plastic material.  
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the plastic material of the container neck is polyethylene terephthalate and the plastic material of the attachment is polypropylene.  
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the container comprises a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage container.  
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the container comprises an integral blow-molded and substantially transparent PET beverage container.  
   
   
       18 . A method of assembling a handle attachment to a neck of a container, comprising: 
 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;    opening the ring by separating the ring portions and positioning the open ring over an external surface of the container neck,    closing the ring by bringing together the ring portions to form a closed ring that embraces the external surface of the neck.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 the handle having overlapping handle portions with interengagement members; and    connecting the interengagement members on the overlapping handle portions for securing the attachment to the container neck.