Plastic container with separately formed handle

Abstract

A hollow plastic container with a separately formed handle engaging the sidewall of the container and supported thereby. The handle includes an elongated portion extending upwardly over the major portion of the longitudinal extent of the sidewall and arm portions extending from the elongated portion towards the sidewall for engagement with the sidewall, wherein the sidewall receives the arm portions and holds the handle in place.

1 . A plastic container with a separately formed handle, which comprises: 
 a hollow body of plastic material having a lower supporting base, a sidewall extending upwardly from the base, and an upper neck portion with an opening therein, said neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall;    a separately formed handle engaging said sidewall and supported thereby, said handle having an elongated portion extending upwardly over the major portion of the longitudinal extent of the sidewall, and two separate arm portions spaced from each other and extending from the elongated portion towards the sidewall for engagement with the sidewall; and    means on the sidewall to receive said arm portions and hold said handle in place, wherein said sidewall includes a recessed portion to receive said handle and wherein both of said arm portions extend towards each other and towards the container, with each arm portion including enlarged portions adjacent the end thereof which engage the sidewall recessed portion and wherein each arm portion has a length which terminates at the enlarged portion.    
   
   
       2 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongated portion extends in a substantially straight line along said sidewall.  
   
   
       3 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein said arm portions extend from the ends of the elongated portion.  
   
   
       4 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongated portion extends upwardly over at least 75% of the longitudinal extent of the sidewall.  
   
   
       5 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein said handle is a one-piece handle.  
   
   
       6 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , including a shoulder portion extending upwardly from the sidewall between the neck portion and the sidewall.  
   
   
       7 . A plastic container according to  claim 6 , wherein said shoulder portion extends inwardly between the neck portion and the sidewall.  
   
   
       8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein said enlarged portions comprise hook-like protrusions which seat in depressions in said sidewall recessed portion.  
   
   
       11 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer extent of said upper neck portion extends inwardly of said sidewall.  
   
   
       12 . A plastic container according to  claim 11 , wherein the container opening is essentially round.  
   
   
       13 . A plastic container according to  claim 12 , wherein the outer extent of said container base is essentially square with rounded corners.  
   
   
       14 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein said sidewall extends upwardly above said handle and downwardly below said handle.  
   
   
       15 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein said handle extends solely along said sidewall.  
   
   
       16 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein said separately formed handle is removable.  
   
   
       17 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated portion of the handle is substantially flush with the outer extent of the sidewall.  
   
   
       18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . A plastic container according to claim,  1  wherein said recessed portion forms an open space beneath the handle elongated portion.  
   
   
       20 . A plastic container according to  claim 1 , wherein said means on the sidewall to receive said arm portions include wall portions oriented at an angle towards the elongated portion of said handle to engage said arm portions.