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A handle accessory for reversibly connecting to a handle of a container without detaching the handle from the container, the accessory having first and second sides connected by a hinge, a passage for the placement and retention of the handle, and an enclosure for the placement of items between the

A handle accessory for reversibly connecting to a handle of a container without detaching the handle from the container, the accessory having first and second sides connected by a hinge, a passage for the placement and retention of the handle, and an enclosure for the placement of items between the two sides. The handle accessory is configured to permit access to the enclosure without removal from a handle. Also, a method for forming a handle accessory as a single unit, having at least one living hinge, a substantially sealable enclosure, and a retention mechanism for reversibly connecting to a predetermined container handle configuration.

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1. A handle accessory, comprising: a first side hingeably connected to a second side, wherein at least one of the sides comprises a receptacle region disposed on an inner surface thereof, the receptacle region at least partially bounded by a raised boundary element;a passage configured to receive at

1. A handle accessory, comprising: a first side hingeably connected to a second side, wherein at least one of the sides comprises a receptacle region disposed on an inner surface thereof, the receptacle region at least partially bounded by a raised boundary element;a passage configured to receive at least a portion of a predetermined handle; anda retention mechanism for retaining the at least a portion of the handle within the passage. 2. The handle accessory of claim 1, further comprising a gripping surface along an outer surface of the handle accessory, proximal the passage, the gripping surface comprising at least one selected from ridges, textures, coatings, dimples, and bumps. 3. The handle accessory of claim 1, wherein the hingeable connection comprises a living hinge. 4. The handle accessory of claim 1, wherein the retention mechanism is hingeably connected to one selected from the first and second sides, at a location distal to and substantially parallel to, the hingeable connection between the first and second sides. 5. The handle accessory of claim 4, wherein the retention mechanism comprises a planar section. 6. The handle accessory of claim 4, wherein the retention mechanism comprises a tab. 7. The handle accessory of claim 1, wherein the first and second sides, and the retention mechanism, comprise a single molded unit. 8. The handle accessory of claim 1, further comprising mating elements disposed on inner surfaces of the first and second sides. 9. A handle accessory, comprising: a first side hingeably connected to a second side, wherein at least one of the sides comprises a receptacle region disposed on an inner surface thereof, the receptacle region at least partially bounded by a raised boundary element; anda substantially enclosed tube configured to receive at least a portion of a handle, wherein the substantially enclosed tube comprises a continuation of the first side opposite that periphery along which the first side and the second side are hingeably connected. 10. The handle accessory of claim 9, wherein the substantially enclosed tube is configured to accept and frictionally retain the at least a portion of the handle. 11. The handle accessory of claim 10, wherein the substantially enclosed tube is flexible and comprises an opening having a width no greater than that of a predetermined handle diameter. 12. The handle accessory of claim 9, further comprising a snap closure configured to reversibly retain the first side and the second side in a closed configuration. 13. The handle accessory of claim 12, wherein the snap closure is formed as an extension of the second side, configured to partially encircle and frictionally an outer surface of the first side, proximal the substantially enclosed tube. 14. The handle accessory of claim 9, further comprising mating elements disposed on inner surfaces of the first and second sides. 15. A handle accessory, comprising: an elongated grip component comprising first and second ends, the elongated grip component having a longitudinal passage extending therethrough, and a longitudinal tapered groove disposed in an outer surface thereof, the groove extending through at least one of the first and second ends of the gripping element; anda receptacle component comprising a first side hingeably connected to a second side along proximal edges of each side, wherein: an opposite edge of at least one side is configured to form at least a portion of a tapered lip configured to reversibly connect to the longitudinal groove of the gripping element; andat least one of the sides comprises a receptacle region disposed on an inner surface thereof, the receptacle region at least partially bounded by a raised boundary element. 16. The handle accessory of claim 15, wherein the tapered lip is formed as an extension of both sides of the receptacle component, such that when connected in the groove, the receptacle components will be retained in a closed configuration. 17. The handle accessory of claim 15, wherein the groove extends through both ends of the grip component, the groove and the passage are in communication with one another, and formed such that a handle may enter the passage via the groove and be retained therein upon placement of the tapered lip within the groove. 18. The handle accessory of claim 15, wherein the groove extends through both ends of the grip component, the groove and the passage are in communication with one another, and the groove has a maximum width less than that of a predetermined handle, the handle accessory configured to flexibly permit entry of the handle into the groove. 19. The handle accessory of claim 15, further comprising mating elements disposed on the inner surfaces of the first and second sides of the receptacle component. 20. The handle accessory of claim 15, further comprising ridges disposed upon a surface of at least one selected from an interior surface of the groove, and an exterior surface of the tapered lip, the ridges placed in a manner that retains a desired alignment of the grip component and the receptacle component, when the two are in a joined configuration. 21. A kit, comprising: a container;a handle operatively connected at two ends to the container; anda handle accessory, operatively connected to the handle and rotatable thereabout, the handle accessory comprising: (a) a passage therethrough, configured to retain the handle, (b) first and second sides rotatably connected to one another, and (c) a substantially enclosed receptacle region, disposed between the first and second sides andwherein said handle accessory further comprises a rotatable retention element configured to rotatably and reversibly lock the handle within the passage. 22. The kit of claim 21, wherein the handle accessory comprises a grip component and a separable receptacle component, the grip component comprising the passage, and the receptacle component comprising the first and second sides and the receptacle region, the grip component and receptacle component each configured to reversibly connect the other. 23. A method of using a handle accessory, comprising: placing at least one item in a receptacle region of the handle accessory, the at least one item comprising at least one selected from instructions, information, and a sample;closing two hingeably-connected sides of the handle accessory, thereby substantially isolating the receptacle region from an external environment; andpositioning a handle of a container within a passage of the handle accessory such that it is reversibly retained therein. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the positioning further comprises the step of rotating a retention mechanism of the handle accessory from a first position to second position, wherein the second position prevents removal of the handle from the passage. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of opening the two hingeably-connected sides to access the receptacle region, while maintaining the second position of the retention mechanism.