By Bill Bregar
SENIOR STAFF REPORTER
Published: June 4, 2014 9:53 am ET
Updated: June 4, 2014 9:57 am ET
Spanish blow molding machinery maker Side SpA developed a special “T handle” machine to make a three-liter PET bottle with a molded-in handle, launched in North America.
One of Canada’s largest grocers challenged its canola oil supplier, Richardson Oilseed Ltd., to produce a value-priced clear bottle with a grip. Richardson, in turn, worked with its partner, IntraPac, a Canadian division of IntraPac Group, to create the handleware bottle.
PET has excellent clarity, but so far, it has offered “easy grip” features for 32 and 64-ounce juice bottles. The edible oil bottle is larger.
Some large bottles have a “snap-in” or “molded-in” handle normally made from polypropylene-making them more expensive.
Side, of Barcelona, developed a machine with the patented ability to compression mold a T handle into PET during the molding process. This automated equipment will produce up to 1,000 bottles per cavity.
Side continues to develop new applications for the T-handle system, such as detergents, juices and bottled water.
Side’s U.S. agent is Stretch Blow Systems LLC of Fort Myers, Fla. | 
