method of securing a separate handle to a plastic blow - molded container , the container having a molded external flange which is not subject to stretching during the blow - molding process . the flange has a substantially flat underside face and serves as a rigid support for the handle when a substantially flat upper abutment surface of the handle is positioned against the flange . preferably , the upper end of the handle has a downwardly extending lug which is surrounded by the blow - molded sidewall of the container . the preform and handle can be brought together into position where the upper end of the handle is adjacent to the underside of the external flange by relative movement of the preform and handle towards each other along a first path which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the preform . in addition , the handle and preform can be brought together prior to their introduction into the mold , and then introduced together into the blow mold along a second path which is also substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the preform . further , the preform can be heated prior to introduction into the mold , while the handle remains unheated .