MXPA99001307A - Blow-molded plastic container with permanently attached separate handle - Google Patents

Abstract

A blow-molded plastic container (10) having a separately formed and permanently attached handle (14). The container (10) has a blow-molded body portion (12) with an inwardly set recess (36). An elongate plastic handle (14) is attached to the sidewall (24) of the container (10) such that it spans across the recess (36) in spaced relation. The handle (14) has a grip portion (56) and opposite ends which are secured to the body portion (12) by welding techniques. The recess (36) has a vacuum flex panel (38) to accommodate changes resulting from hot-fill processing.

Description

PLASTIC CONTAINER MOLDED UNDER BLOWING WITH SEPARATE ASA SEALED PERMANENTLY FIXED FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to plastic containers that have permanently separated plastic handles attached thereto. More particularly, the present invention relates to a blow molded container having a handle separately attached and also including means for adjusting the volumetric changes in the contents of the container after it has been hot filled and cooled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of blow molded plastic containers has become common in the packaging of beverages and liquid, gel, granules or other products. The packaging of beverages, especially juice, of PET molded plastic containers under blow molding are particularly useful in the so-called "hot filling" process, that is, filling the containers with beverages at an elevated temperature, sealing the containers, allowing then to cool the drink. Blow molded plastic containers utilize vacuum flexure panels to provide sufficient flexure to compensate for changes in pressure resulting from volume changes caused by temperature changes of container contents, while maintaining structural integrity and the aesthetic appearance. For example, the Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,392,937 issued to Prevot et al., And property of the assignee of the present application, describes the use of vacuum flexure panels in a hot fill of a blow molded container. Some containers require the use of handles to allow the user to lift the container more easily and / or empty its contents, preferably with one hand. Smaller containers, such as those of 1892.48 ml and less usually do not need handles because the consumer can take the sides of the container to manipulate the container with one hand. However, larger containers, such as 3.78 ml containers, may require some form of handle for the user to control the container when lifting or emptying its contents with one hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTAINERS OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE AND ASA COUPLING TECHNIQUES A. Containers with integral handle Containers that have been molded under blown with integral handles, for example, plastic containers of 3.78 1 used in the packaging of milk. Said containers are formed with a hollow handle extending from the neck of the container to the side wall of the container, as illustrated in the patent design of E.U.A. No. D.194, 285 issued to Miller.

B. Containers with handle secured to the neck Some containers have rigid handles that extend from the neck of the container. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,469,612 issued to Colletee et al., Figures 14-18, and the Patents of E.U.A. Nos. 4,273,246 and 4,368,826 issued to Thompson disclose handles formed separately with one end of the handle engaging the neck of the container. The Patents of E.U.A. Nos. 4,372,454, 4,629,598 and 4,280,859 issued to Thompson describe preforms with one end of an integral handle formed with the neck of the preform.

C. Containers with suspension handle Other containers have handles that include a collar that surrounds the neck and an open ring molded integrally with the collar. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,216.

D. Blow molded handle containers Still other containers separately secure the plastic handles formed in the side wall by blow molding the body of the container around a portion of the handle to hold the handle in place. For example, see the Patents of E.U.A. Nos. 4,964,522 and D.318, 229 issued to Umet et al .; Patents of E.U.A. Nos. 4,909,978 and 4,952,133 issued to Hasegawa and others; and Patent of E.U.A. 5,338,503 issued to Yanagisewa and others.

E. Containers with handle adjusted by jump The handles formed separately can also be adjusted by hopping in concavities formed in the side walls of the bodies of the container completely molded under blow. For example, see the '612 patent Colletee et al., U.S. Patent. No. 4,257,525 issued to Thompson before referenced.

F. Welding Techniques Ultrasonic vibration is one of several techniques used to weld the opposite surfaces of containers and couplings. The technique employs the use of high-pass sound waves to vibrate juxtaposed objects. In turn, when this vibration achieves a certain intensity for a sufficient duration, the objects, if they are plastics, melt with the heat generated by vibration and flow. When they are released from the ultrasonic vibration, and can be cooled for a sufficient time, the molten plastic hardens to form a weld. The Thompson patents '246,' 859, '826 and' 454 referenced above describe an ultrasonic welding of a lower free end of a handle to the side wall of a container. The Patent of E.U.A. No. 4,293,359 issued to Jakobsen describes the welding of a base support cup to the base of a blow molded plastic container, using radially extending flanges to facilitate welding. The Patent of E.U.A. Nos. 5,275,767 issued to Micciche describes the connection of a base to a side wall of a container. The Patents of E.U.A. Nos. 5,256,225 issued to Dwinell; 5,244,520 issued to Gordon et al .; 4,726,481 issued to Hagan; 5,304,265 issued to Keeler; and 4,746,025 issued to Krautkramer and others; They describe welding nozzles, duct inserts and neck for containers. The Patents of E.U.A. Nos. 5,040,357 issued to Ingemann; 4,954,191 issued to Delespaul and others; and 5,316,603 issued to Akazawa describe welding traps, covers and seals for containers. In the course of ultrasonic welding that confronts surfaces, so-called "energy directors," or "energy absorbers," they improve the procedure for yielding stronger welds. These energy directors are small patterns that arise from the plastic, which are located on any of the opposite surfaces to concentrate the ultrasonic energy. This concentration of energy, coupled with the high plastic, allows the plastic to melt faster and in a more controllable way. The '359 Jakobsen patent referenced above describes the use of a circular power director, and the star-shaped energy director having radial spokes to weld a base support cup to the base of a blow molded container . The Patents of E.U.A. Nos. 4,326,902 issued to Peddie; 3,661,661 issued to Berleyoung; 3,819,437 issued to Paine; 4,169,751 issued to Yen; 4,211,923 issued to Fukuyama and others; 4,230,757 issued to Toner; 4,411,720 and 4,618,516 issued to Sagar; 4,564,932 issued to Lange; 4,767,492 issued to Fukusima et al .; 4,834,819 issued to Todo y otros; 4,931,114 issued to Sliva; 5,085,719 issued to Eck; 5,269,917 issued to Stankowski; 5,401,342 issued to Vincent et al .; 5,403,415 issued to Schembri; 4,511,618 issued to Joce icz, Jr.; and 5,435,863 issued to Frantz describe several trained power directors that are used to weld a variety of plastic surfaces.

NEED FOR THE INVENTION Although several of the referenced containers that have handles, or vacuum flex panels, can perform satisfactorily for their purposes, there is a need for a molded plastic container under blown having a separately formed, permanently attached handle that allows it to be lifted the container and empties more easily, and that can better adapt to the volumetric changes that result from hot fill processing. Additionally, the handle connection to the container must withstand the forces-exerted under the consumer's normal use for the container sizes of at least 3.78 1. Finally, the manufacture of the bodies of the container and separate handles, and the welding of the same , it must be effective in cost.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Taking into account the above, a first object of the present invention is to provide a blow molded container having a handle manufactured separately and permanently secured. Another object of the present invention is to provide a container with handles capable of adapting to changes in container contents resulting from filling and hot processing. Another object is to provide a container that has a strong weld between the handle and the side wall. Other objects are to provide a container that is cost effective to manufacture, structurally sound, aesthetically appealing and fully recyclable using the current recycling techniques and procedure. Another object is to provide a container in which the fixed handle is generally confined within the profile of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a blow molded plastic container having a handle with which its contents can be emptied, which can be hot filled, the container comprises a blow molded body portion having an inward depression. The handle is located in the depression and can be of any form. In its preferred embodiment, the handle is lengthened and formed separately in a shape similar to a row. Said handle has a holding portion that extends between the opposite ends that are permanently coupled to the body portion. The grip portion of the handle rotates through the depression to allow it to fold and thus accommodate the contents of the container for the volumetric changes resulting from hot filling. The depression also provides a space in which a user can place their fingers to hold the handle. The handle can be welded by ultrasonic vibration, or other known welding techniques, such as infrared radiation, hot plate, mechanical vibration and solvent welding. The power directors can be molded in the handle to facilitate welding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevation view of a container comprising the present invention in its preferred configuration; Figure 2 is an elevation view of the container illustrated in Figure 1 rotated 90 ° clockwise about a central vertical axis through the container; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a handle formed separately according to the preferred configuration of the present invention; Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the body of the container and an upper end of the handle taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the body of the container and holding portion of the handle taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1; and Figure 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the body of the container and a lower end of the handle taken along line 6-6 of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY As illustrated in Figure 1, the present invention provides a container 10 designed to boost the user's ability to get up and empty from the container. Although the container 10 can be manufactured in various sizes, the present invention is especially useful for larger containers, such as those of 3.78 1, which usually requires two hands to handle it effectively. The container 10 can be used to pack a variety of products, but particularly in the packaging of hot filled beverages, such as juices. The container 10 comprises a body portion 12 and a handle 14. Both are formed separately, then they are secured in conjunction and then a separate procedure and station is used. The body portion 12 can be produced by conventional blow molding operations, which may include additional means such as heat setting. The handle 14 can be produced by conventional injection molding techniques. Body portion 12 and handle 14 are preferably made of the same plastic, such as PET, so that both are recyclable without separation. In this way, the necessary manufacturing processes allow an efficient and economical mass production of the environmentally preferred containers.

Before focusing on the unique aspects of the present invention, the similarities of the container 10 with the known containers molded under blowing are described below. As shown in figure 1, the body portion 12 has a base 20 for supporting the container on a horizontal surface; an end 22 that provides an opening for filling, emptying and sealing the container; and a side wall 24 extending in the middle integrally connecting the base 20 to the end 22. The side wall 24 comprises an upper part or dome, a portion 26 and a lower portion 28. The dome 26 is located at the end 22 in the upper part of the container 10. The lower portion 28 extends from the base 20 and is separated from the dome 26 by a peripheral rib 30. The container 10, particularly the lower portion 28 of the side wall 24, can be manufactured so that the container is placed for use in the hot filling process. However, the container 10 is also useful in non-hot filling processes. If the container 10 is used in the hot filling processes, any of the lower portion 28, or the dome portion, may have any number and type of vacuum flexure panels to conform to the volumetric changes of the contents of the container. After the container is filled hot, it is sealed and cooled. Figure 1 illustrates a container having four vacuum flexing panels 32 fully located in the lower portion 28 of the container (two vacuum flexing panels 32 are shown in Figure 1, and the two are located on the opposite side of the container , which is a mirror image of Figure 1). Lower portion 28 also provides label mounting areas. To this end, the peripheral rib 30 acts as a label jam and a lower peripheral rib 34 acts as a lower label jam. The container has three unique aspects: A) the shape, location and functionality of a depression 36 in the body portion 12, B) the shape and location of the handle 14 fixed separately, and C) the means for fixing the handle separately from the handle. body of the container.

The depression The portion 12 of the body of the container is molded under blown with a handle depression 36 inwards. As illustrated, the body of the container has a substantially circular cross section; however, the body of the container may have other cross-sectional shapes such as polygonal or rectangular. Depression has two major purposes. The first purpose is to provide a space for the user's fingers between the body portion 12 and a fixed handle 14 when the handle 14 is held, while maintaining the external dimension of the handle generally within, or close to, the length of the body . The second purpose is to provide a panel that can function as a vacuum bending panel, as will be described later. The shape of the depression 36 may vary, but a preferred shape is illustrated in Figure 2. The innermost part of the depression 36 forms a panel 38. The panel 38 is intended to be manufactured substantially in a flat and vertical orientation, but may be at an angle with respect to the center of the bottle, especially if the depression usually follows a bell outline. Along the entire periphery of the panel 38 is a hinge 40. An upper transitional wall 42, a lower transitional wall 44, a right lateral transitional wall 46, and a left lateral transitional wall 48 extend from the hinge 40 and fuse with the body portion 12. As best shown in Figure 5, the right and left transitional walls, 46 or 48, extend at an included angle of approximately 60 ° relative to a vertical longitudinal axis "A" of the container. The longitudinal vertical axis "A" is defined as extending centrally from the base 20 vertically to the end 22. In this way, the depression 36 consists of the panel 38, the hinge 40 and transitional walls 42, 44, 46 and 48. The body portion 12 is also formed with an upper handle mounting surface 50 and a lower handle mounting surface 52. The upper handle mounting surface 50 is flat and substantially vertical, but can be found at an angle with respect to the vertical axis. The upper handle mounting surface 50 is located directly above the depression 36 and fuses with the upper transitional wall 42. The lower handle mounting surface 52 is also substantially planar, but preferably extends at an angle " Ó "in relation to the vertical plane, the angle" Ó "is best shown in Figure 1 and preferably is 6 ° to assist in the fixing of the handle, as will be described later. The lower handle mounting surface 52 is located directly below the depression 36 and fuses with the lower transitional wall 44. In this manner, the inward depression 36 and the upper and lower handle mounting surfaces, 50 and 52 , have a slight transition in the adjacent body portion 12, substantially circular, in cross section. The location of the depression 36 of the body portion 12 may vary, but a preferred position is located on the side wall 24 which extends into portions of the dome portion 26 and the lower portion 28. Said location provides a balance, or pivot, a point to easily support emptying the container. The upper transitional wall 42 of the depression 36 and the upper handle mounting surface 50 are separated from the end 22 and positioned in the dome portion 26. The lower transitional wall 44 of the depression 36 and the lower handle mounting surface 52 are separated from the base 20 and positioned in the lower portion 28 of the side wall 24. The panel 38 and the right-to-left transverse walls, 46 and 48, interrupt the peripheral rib 30 and extend part of the dome portion 26 and the lower portion 28 of the side wall 24. The side wall 24 is sufficiently rigid next to the handle 14 to prevent the side wall from curving when lifting and pouring from the container 10. For this purpose, a series of horizontally oriented reinforcing ribs 54 are located in the lower portion 28 between the lower handle mounting surface 52 and the lower peripheral rib, or label obstruction 34. The ribs more closely They extend in horizontally spaced relationship on opposite sides of the depression. The ribs also have deformations caused by the vacuum as well as pressures exerted by the users. The provisions of the ribs, apart from the horizontal ones, can also be used in certain applications. Even in the present invention it has been difficult to produce a PET blow molded container having a handle, especially containers which are intended for use in the filling processing in the heat of beverages. This is because the commonly preferred asymmetric distribution of vacuum panels, and / or insufficient vacuum accommodation, can lead to large deformations, such as ovalization, or minor deformations such as dents or localized curvatures.

To solve this problem, panel 38 of the present invention acts as a panel of. vacuum flexing to adjust the content of the volumetric changes within the container 10 hot filled upon cooling. As best shown in Figure 5, the panel 38 is designed to curve inwardly, as shown in dashed lines, to adjust the vacuum generated internally within the container 10. The hinge 40 allows the panel 38 to curve inwardly. , while preventing the transitional walls 42, 44, 46 and 48, as well as the surrounding body portion 12, from distorting to a large extent. In this way, the combined action of the panel 38 and the other vacuum fractional panels 32 maintain the substantially uniform and circular cross section of the container 10 which helps to provide a generally aesthetic appearance of the container and minimizes problems, in such areas like the packaging, which can result from oval containers. By acting together with the handle, the depression also allows the placement of the handle within the perimeter of the bottle, which is important for considerations of filling the bottle, marketing the efficiency of storage and the efficiency of storage of the consumer. Similarly, when placed close to the balance / pivot point, the handle and depression, when working with the center of mass of the bottle, facilitates the user's ability to empty the container.

The handle As shown in Figure 3, the handle 14 is a strip-type handle formed separately from the body portion 12. When coupled to the body portion 12, the handle 14 is intended to pass through the depression 36 in the separate relationship of it. The shape of the handle 14 can vary, but preferably has a holding portion 56 that the user can comfortably hold. When the body portion 12 is engaged, the holding portion 56 extends vertically along the depression, or alternatively it can extend at an angle along the depression. The opposite ends of the handle 14 have a tab engaging upper ear 58 and a lower tab engaging ear 60. The upper tab 58 fuses with the holding portion 56 by the transitional loop section 62. The upper tab 58 has a container engaging surface 64 which is secured to the upper handle mounting surface 50 of the body portion 12. When fixed to the container, the upper tab 58 is oriented substantially vertically. The lower tab 60 extends from the holding portion 56 at an angle of approximately 6 ° which corresponds to the angle "O" of the mounting surface 52 of the lower handle. The lower tab 60 has a container engaging surface 66 that is secured to the lower handle of engagement surface 52 of the body portion 12. The alternative handle shapes include an inverted "J" configuration (not shown). Said handle has an upper portion that reversibly engages the side wall of the container in the upper transitional wall 42. The lower portion is of the same configuration as illustrated and connected in a similar manner. The preferred means for attaching the handle 14 to the body portion 12 is to weld the coupling surface: 64 to 50, and 66 to 52, using any number of known techniques as will be described later. The present patent application of E.U.A. co-pending the serial holder, with serial number 08 / 414,646, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes methods that use ultrasonic techniques to fix a separately formed plastic handle having a base with a pair of parallel potrusions , integrally formed to a molded plastic container under blowing. Preferably, the interior of the container adjacent to the handle coupling location is rigidly supported to assist in the formation of a strong bond between the container and the handle. To this end, an anvil can be manipulated within the container to fix the inner surface of the container adjacent to the handle of the coupling location, or the container can be located within a false mold and pressurized to regidize this same area.

As stated previously, the lower handle mounting surface 52 of the side wall 24 of the lower tongue 60 of the handle 14 is at an "alpha" angle relative to the vertical axis "A". This relationship allows the manipulation phase of a single anvil to first support the connection between the container and the upper tab of the handle, and then the connection between the container the upper tab of the handle, and then the connection between the container and the lower tab of the handle, or vice versa. The upper and lower tab, 58 and 60, of the handle 14 can incorporate power directors (not shown) as described in the US patent. No. 4,293,259, issued to Jakobsen on October 6, 1981, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. Energy managers, as described in Jakobsen and the patent application of E.U.A. previously mentioned with serial number 08/414, 646, it helps the formation of a strong bond between the container and the handle. Further, when using ultra-sonic power tips, the sides of the upper and lower tabs, 58 and 60, which face the ultrasonic tips (not shown) have tip alignment depressions 68 to ensure proper alignment between the handle 14 and the ultrasonic tips. Although the referential coupling method above involves the use of ultrasonic techniques, other known means for attaching the handle to the container can be used. An article entitled Better Bonds - Plastics eldin Gets Smarter, Faster, Stronger, published in the journal Plástic Technology in January 1996, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes various known welding techniques such as infrared, laser and rotating welding that can be used to weld the handle to the container. In addition, hot plate, mechanical vibrations and solvent welding techniques can also be used. The location of the loop coupling 14 in the body portion 12 is also an important aspect of the present invention. As illustrated, the holding portion 56 separates and extends through the entire pressure 36. In this way, the handle 14 does not contact or extend into the depression 36. Such a configuration allows the fingers of a user engages between the depression 36 and the handle 14, allows the panel 38 of the depression 36 to flex inward to adjust the volumetric changes of a container used in the hot fill processing, and allows the handle to conform to way close to the outer contour of the container. As best illustrated in Figure 1, the permanently secured handle 14 conforms closely with the vertical contour of the container 10. Since the handle does not extend peripherally on the outside of the container shape, the container can be packaged efficiently and place in a minimum of space. In addition, a rigid container structure is formed by bridging the handle 14 along the depression 36, and in this way, supporting the side wall, particularly in the depression, from being bent when the container is handled by a container. user. The above is particularly valuable in storage situations where the containers are tensioned by the downward forces exerted by the containers stored one on top of the other. For the application where space is of minor importance, the handle fastening portion can be spaced out from the side wall of the container. In other embodiments, the handle may have its upper end coupled to the dome and lower end coupled to a lower location. The handle can also be made of flexible plastic, and can be tensioned along the depression to provide a measure of hardness. The structure described faces the lifting and emptying even in larger containers. The container is manufactured efficiently and economically because the body portions and the handles are formed separately. This allows the coupling procedure to take place separately from the formation of the container, avoiding in this way the unwanted complications and the increase of expenses in the equipment of formation of the container. The body portion and the handle can be secured firmly and easily. The container has specific areas that can be flexed to provide an aesthetic appearance of the container and even under hot fill processing conditions; even the container, specifically in the handle, is rigid. In the same way, the invention contains an efficient space and storage of containers of effective cost. Since a preferred container has been described in detail, various modifications, alterations, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (37)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A plastic container (10) blow molded, having a handle (14) that helps to empty its contents, comprises: a body portion (12) molded under blown having a depression (36) inwards; and an elongated, separately formed, loop-like handle (14) having a holding portion (56) extending between the opposite ends, said handle (14) extends through said depression (36) and is secured permanently to said body portion (12) at one end thereof; wherein the depression (36) contains the placement of the fingers around the handle (14).

2. A plastic blow molded container (10) according to claim 1, further characterized in that said pressure (36) includes a panel (38) having a peripheral hinge (40) that allows said panel ( 38) is flexed when the container (10) is cooled when it is hot filled and covered.

3.-. A plastic container (10) blow molded according to claim 2, further characterized in that said body portion (12) includes a base (20), an end (22) and a side wall (24) connecting said base (20) to said end (22); and further characterized in that said depression (36) is formed in said side wall (24).

4. A plastic container (10) blow molded according to claim 1, further characterized in that said opposite ends of said handle (14) are permanently secured to said side wall (24) by welding techniques.

5. A plastic container (10) blow molded according to claim 4, further characterized in that said opposite ends of said handle (14) include an upper tab (58) that is connected to said holding portion (56) and a lower tab (60) connected to said holding portion (56) away from said upper tab (58), said upper tab (58) engaging said side wall (24) closer to said end (22) that said base (20) and said lower tongue (60) is coupled to said side wall (24) closer to said base (20) than to said end (22).

6. A container (10) molded plastic under blown, according to claim 5, further characterized in that said side wall (24) comprises a dome portion (26) below said end (22) and a lower portion (28) adjacent to said base (20).

7. A container (10) of molded plastic under blown, plastic according to claim 6, further characterized in that said upper tab (58) of said handle (14) is coupled to said dome portion (26) and said lower tab (60) of said (14) engages said lower portion (28) and said side wall (24) to expand along said depression (36).

8. A plastic container (10) blow molded, according to claim 6, further characterized in that said depression (36) extends in the dome portion (26) and said lower portion (28) of said side wall (24) through an included horizontal angle of approximately 60 ° C.

9. A plastic container (10) blow molded, according to claim 6, further characterized in that said side wall (24) has a label impediment (30) and said depression (36) includes a flex panel of (38) which extends vertically along said obstruction (30) and interrupts it.

10. A container (10) of blow molded plastic according to claim 9, further characterized in that said side wall (24) has at least one other flex panel (34) disposed in said side wall (24).

11. A container (10) of molded plastic under blown according to claim 10, further characterized in that the lower portion (28) of said side wall (24) has a label assembly area.

12. A plastic container (10) hot-filled, blow molded having a handle (14) that helps to empty its contents, comprises: a blow molded body (12) having a base (20), an end (22), and a side wall (24) connecting said base (20) to said end (22); a bending panel (38) located on said side wall (24), said bending panel (38) has a peripheral hinge (40) to allow said bending panel (38) to flex to adjust the volumetric changes of the contents of the container while cooling after they are hot filled; and an elongated handle (14) formed separately from strip has a holding portion (56) extending between the opposite ends, said handle (14) extending along said flexing panel (38) in spaced relationship between the same and is permanently secured by welding said body portion (12) at said opposite ends; by spacing, the fingers can be placed around said holding portion (56) of said handle (14) and flexing said flexing panel (38) in relation to said handle (14).

13. A plastic container (10) hot-filled, blow molded, according to claim 12, further characterized in that said opposite ends of said handle (14) include an upper tab (58) connected to said fastening portion (56) and a lower tab (60) connected to said fastening portion (56) below said upper tab • (58).

14. A plastic container (10) hot-filled, blow molded, according to claim 13, further characterized in that said side wall (24) comprises a dome portion (26) below said end (22) of a lower portion (28) below said dome portion (26), said dome and lower portions (26, 28) are separated horizontally by a peripheral rib (30).

15. A plastic container (10) hot-filled, blow molded, according to claim 14, further characterized in that said upper tab (58) of said handle (14) has a coupling surface (64) laterally oriented fixed to said portion of dome (26) and said lower tab (60) of said handle (14) has a laterally oriented coupling surface (66) attached to said lower portion (28) of said side wall (24).

16. A plastic container (10) hot-filled, blow molded, according to claim 15, further characterized in that said flex panel (38) has an inward depression in said dome portion (26) and said lower portion (28) of said side wall (24) interrupts said peripheral rib (30) in the region of said handle (14).

17. A plastic container (10) hot-filled, blow molded, according to claim 16, further characterized in that said handle (14) is formed to conform closely to the vertical contour of the container (10).

18. A container (10) having a handle (14) for use in the 'lifting and emptying of its contents, further characterized in that it comprises: a container body (12) of blow molded plastic having a base ( 20) and one end (22) interconnected by a side wall (24); and a plastic strip handle (14) formed by a separate elongation having a holding portion (56) between the opposite ends, and at least one of the opposite ends permanently engages said side wall (24).

19. A container (10) according to claim 18, further characterized in that said opposite ends of said handle (14) include an upper tab (58) and a lower tab (60), said holding portion (56) located between said upper and lower tabs (58, 60), said upper tab (58) has a contact surface (64) for coupling the side wall (24) and said bottom tab (60) has a contact surface (66) to attach the side wall (24).

20. A container (10) according to claim 19, further characterized in that said upper and lower tongue (58, 60) of said handle (14) have mating surfaces (64)., 66) disposed laterally that are permanently coupled to said side wall (24) by welding techniques.

21. A container (10) according to claim 20, further characterized in that said container body (12) defines a vertical axis extending centrally from said base (20) to said end (22), and further characterized because said holding portion (56) extends substantially in parallel on said vertical axis.

22. A container (10) according to claim 21, further characterized in that said upper tab (58) extends substantially parallel to said vertical axis.

23. A container (10) according to claim 22, further characterized in that said lower tab (60) extends from said holding portion (56) at an angle relative to said upper tab (58).

24. A container (10) according to claim 23, further characterized in that said angle is approximately 6 ° in relation to said vertical axis.

25. A container (10) according to claim 18, further characterized in that said side wall (24) has an inward depression (36).

26.- A container (10) according to claim 25, further characterized in that said side wall (24) comprises a dome portion (26) and a lower portion (28) of side wall and further characterized in that said handle (14) ) has an upper tab (58) attached to said dome portion (26) and a lower tab (60) attached to said lower side wall portion (28) with said handle fastening portion (56) extended along said depression (36).

27.- A container (10) according to claim 26, further characterized in that said depression (36) is located along said fastening portion (56) of said handle (14) and extends in said portion of dome (26) and said lower portion (28) of side wall.

28. A container (10) according to claim 27, further characterized in that said depression (36) extends through a horizontal including an angle of about 60 ° in said dome portion (26) and said lower portion (28) side wall.

29. A container (10) according to claim 18, further characterized in that said wall (24) has a depression (36) with a vacuum flexing panel (38).

A container (10) according to claim 29, further characterized in that said lower side wall portion (28) has at least one other flex panel (32) separate from said handle (14).

31.- A container (10) according to claim 30, further characterized in that said lower portion (28) of side wall has a label assembly area.

32. A container (10) according to claim 18, further characterized in that said container body (12) has at least one reinforcing rib (34) horizontally disposed in said lower portion (28) of side wall between one end bottom of said handle (14) and said base (20).

33.- A container (10) according to claim 18, further characterized in that it includes a plurality of reinforcement ribs (54) extending adjacent said handle (14) in at least one of its coupling regions.

34.- A container (10) that has a handle (14) for use in the lifting and emptying of its contents, further characterized because it comprises: a container body 12 of molded plastic under blown that has a base (20) and an end (22) interconnected by a side wall (24), said side wall (24) has an inward depression (36); and a separate plastic handle (14) having an upper tab (58), a lower tab (60), and a holding portion (56) between said upper and lower tab (58, 60), said holding portion ( 56) extends along said depression 36 in spaced relation, and said upper and lower tongue (58, 60) are permanently welded to said side wall (24).

35.- A container (10) according to claim 34, further characterized in that at least one of said tabs (58, 60) have a contact surface (64, 66) that extends laterally to the handle (14) for coupling said side wall (24).

36. - A container (10) according to claim 34, further characterized in that it includes a series of reinforcing ribs (54) disposed on said lateral wall (24) in a lateral form of said depression (36) to said coupling tongue (60). ) of lower handle. 37.- A container (10) that has a handle (14) for use in the lifting and emptying of its contents, further characterized in that it comprises: a plastic container body (12) hot-filled, blow molded which has a base (20), a lower side wall portion (28) connected to said base (20), a dome side wall portion (26) connected to said lower side wall portion (28) opposite said base (20); ), an end (22) extending from said dome side wall portion (26), and an inward depression (36) in said dome side wall portion (26) and said lower wall portion (28) side; and a separately formed plastic strip handle (14) having an upper tab (58) and a lower tab (60), of a holding portion (56) extend along said depression (36) in spaced relation, said upper tab (58) has a contact surface (64) welded to said container body (12) in said portion (26) of dome side wall, and said lower tab (60) has a contact surface (66) welded to said container body (12) in said lower portion (28) of side wall.