Abstract: An apparatus employed with elements for transferring articles, such as open mouth containers like glass jars, is actuable to frictionally grip the interior surface of a container during handling. The apparatus includes a cup which forms a cylinder. A post member is mounted in the cylinder and depends downwardly to a point outside the interior of the cup. A piston is slidably mounted within the cup. A flexible element, such as four circumferentially spaced straps, is secured at one end to the piston and at the other end to the post member at a point outside the cup. A duct connects the cup to a controllable source of air pressure. An urging element, such as a coil spring disposed between the post means and the piston, normally urges the piston to the top of the cup. Upon application of air pressure to the cup, the piston is driven downwardly, and the straps flex radially outwardly so as to frictionally grip the interior surface of a container.