Abstract: An evacuatable storage unit that includes a substantially rigid container having an open upper end, a flexible air tight liner attached to the inside of the container, and a port installed in a surface of the liner that allows air to pass out of the liner and prevents air from entering the liner. The liner has an upper portion that extends out beyond the open upper end of the container. The liner upper portion terminates in an opening for inserting compressible articles into the liner. The opening is closable to form an air tight seal. As air inside the liner is evacuated from the liner through the port (typically by using a household vacuum cleaner), the liner upper portion and compressible articles stored therein collapse into the container.

Abstract: A toy assembly includes an elongate body to receive a balloon member arranged for bursting upon a timed mechanism mounted within an upper tube portion of the body projected into the body and piercing the balloon after a predetermined interval. A modification of the invention includes a medial web directed medially and orthogonally relative to the body axis dividing the body into an upper and lower body cavity receiving an upper and lower balloon therewithin, with a lower balloon arranged for bursting upon impact by the piercing member mounted resiliently within a lower end of the lower body aligned with the axis.