Abstract: A bag hanger for bulk bag filler equipment. The bag hanger can include a plurality of support plates coupled together to form a body structure. Also, the bag hanger can include a hook that is integral with the body structure, wherein the hook at least partially defines a containment area and is configured to receive a bag strap. Further, the bag hanger can include an ejector plate, and an actuator. The ejector plate can be positioned between the plurality of support plates. The actuator can be coupled to the ejector plate and the body structure.

Abstract: A filler assembly comprising a pouch preheat zone, a pouch sterilization zone, and a pouch flush zone. The preheat zone includes a preheat nozzle assembly having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet engageable with a pouch assembly, and a preheat vacuum nozzle assembly having an inlet engageable with a pouch assembly and an outlet attachable to a vacuum. The pouch sterilization zone includes a sterilization nozzle assembly having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet engageable with a pouch assembly, and, a sterilization vacuum nozzle assembly having an inlet engageable with a pouch assembly and an outlet attachable to a vacuum. The pouch flush zone includes a pouch flush nozzle assembly having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet engageable with a pouch assembly, and, a pouch flush vacuum nozzle assembly having an inlet engageable with a pouch assembly and an outlet attachable to a vacuum.

Abstract: A method for hot-filling and sterilizing laminated packages, comprising a pre-heating step, a hot-filling and sterilizing step, a holding step, and a rapid cooling step. The pre-heating step is to perform high-temp-short-time sterilization and to keep the product at the controlled temperature within the first-time interval. The hot-filling sterilization step is to fill up the laminated package with the product after sterilization. The package is sealed and sterilized by the heat from the product. The holding step is to keep the laminated package and the product at an effective sterilization temperature within the second time interval and to achieve the safety standard of sufficient sterilization. The rapid cooling step is to rapidly cool down the filled package within the third time interval and to prevent the product from deteriorating due to overheating. A device utilizing the aforementioned method is also provided.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.

Abstract: A method for operating a packaging line including a packaging machine having an insertion station in which one portion is deposited on or in packaging means, a cutting machine for cutting slices from a product, including a discharge conveyor unit capable of forming the slices into portions, and an insertion/feed unit downstream in a passage direction of the cutting machine for buffering and feeding the portions to the insertion station by conveyor belts. Portions are assembled by the insertion/feed unit to a complete format having a predetermined number of portions and the complete format is fed to the insertion station by an insertion belt of the insertion/feed unit. The method includes initially assembling, on a last and/or penultimate conveyor belt of the insertion/feed unit before the insertion belt, an incomplete format, and forming the complete format from the incomplete format only upon transfer of the portions to the insertion belt.

Abstract: Proposed is a bulk bag opening device including a transfer unit that transfers a bulk bag, a cutting unit that cuts the transferred bulk bag, and a discharge unit that discharges contents to a hopper. The bulk bag opening device includes a swing unit having a length adjustment means provided outside the bulk bag to be spaced apart therefrom by a predetermined distance and accessing to the bulk bag, and a grip means provided on an end of the length adjustment means to grip the bulk bag, thereby shaking and emptying the contents remaining in the bulk bag.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a labeled article includes a preparing step of preparing a label bulk roll formed by winding up a continuous label body being linerless into a roll shape, a feeding step of feeding the continuous label body from the label bulk roll, a cutting step of cutting the continuous label body into individual units of labels, an activating step of activating an adhesive layer of the label, a conveying step of conveying an activated label that is the label including the adhesive layer in an activated state from an activation position where the adhesive layer is activated to a separated position separated from the activation position, and an affixing step of affixing the activated label to an article at the separated position.

Abstract: A synthetic resin container that includes a mouth, a body and a bottom, wherein the body includes: an upper end portion; a lower end portion; and an intermediate portion with a polygonal cross-sectional shape having, at vertices thereof, 6 to 12 inclined ridge lines spirally extending around the axis line with a twist angle of 30° or more and 90° or less, the intermediate portion being disposed between the upper end portion and the lower end portion, and wherein when a width of a portion of the body with a greatest diameter is W, and a height from ground to a boundary between the shoulder and the body is H, the synthetic resin container has a shape that satisfies W/H=0.20 to 0.35.

Abstract: A stackable metal cup including: a body portion having a hollow shape with an open upper portion and having a shape inclined from the upper portion toward a lower portion such that an upper end inner diameter is larger than a lower end outer diameter; and a bottom portion including a grounding portion, the grounding portion being continuous with a lower end of the body portion via a curvature portion. When a height from the grounding portion to the upper end is 100%, an upper region having a height of 70% to 100% includes at least one inflection point portion at which an inclination angle of the body portion with respect to a vertical plane changes.

Abstract: A carton for holding at least one article includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, and a plurality of end flaps foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps includes a plurality of bottom end flaps at least partially overlapped to form a closed bottom of the carton, at least one bottom end flap of the plurality of bottom end flaps at least partially defined by a free edge that forms a recess and a protrusion extending into the recess, the recess at least partially receiving a portion of another bottom end flap of the plurality of bottom end flaps.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to child-safe packaging. In accordance with aspects and embodiments, a child-safe packaging system is provided comprising a cardstock inner package having an internal cavity dimensioned to hold a product and a cardstock outer sleeve having an open end a closed end, wherein the inner package is sized to frictionally fit within the outer sleeve. To access the inner package, force must be applied to the inner package through an access hole in the outer sleeve. To further safeguard the contents of the inner package, the frictional fit may be enhanced by application of a coating to portions of the inner packaging and outer sleeve, and the inner package may be made shorter than the outer sleeve.

Abstract: Unitary blank for forming a container includes a base panel, a back body panel, a front body panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a pocket portion. The pocket portion includes a support panel, a pocket flap, a first side tab, and a second side tab. The first and second side panels are configured to be joined to the back body panel such that the front and back body panels and the first and second side panels define a container. A support panel of the pocket portion is configured to be separated from the front body panel along a front upper edge and joined to the back body panel such that the pocket portion and the back body panel define a pocket therebetween. A container and a method for forming a container from a unitary blank are also provided.

Abstract: A packaging container has a substantially parallelepipedic shape extending globally longitudinally and defining an internal space. The packaging container includes a belt formed by first, second, third, and fourth main panels, the first and third main panels having first and second opposite longitudinal ends. The packaging container includes at least one closure panel joined to and extending from a respective first or second longitudinal end of the first and/or third main panel. The second and fourth main panels have first and second opposite transversal free edges. The at least one closure panel has first and second free side edges. The packaging container includes at least one reinforcing rib formed on at least one of the second main panel, the fourth main panel, or the closure panel and close to the respective first or second transversal free edges or side free edges. The at least one reinforcing rib extends transversally.

Abstract: A package for an elongate article, the package having an inner container and a lid, wherein the inner container includes a base and side panels connected to the base along respective fold lines, the side panels being foldable between an open configuration, in which the side panels extend outwardly of the base, and a closed configuration, in which the side panels upstand relative to the base to form an enclosure; and wherein the lid is configured to fit over the inner container to hold the side panels in the closed configuration.

Abstract: A method for manipulating a piece of material for use as a tab in conjunction with a container. The method includes accessing piece of relatively thin, sheet-like material and forming a hole in the piece of material. The method further includes performing a wiping operation to deform material adjacent to the hole, and performing at least one coining operation to flatten the deformed material. After the at least one coining operation the piece of material has an area of increased thickness adjacent to the hole, and after the at least one coining operation the piece of material has a generally straight inner portion at least partially defining the hole, where the generally straight portion extends at least about 20% of a height of the hole.

Abstract: A shipping rack for transporting rolls of flexible material includes a generally flat base for supporting a lower end of the rolls of flexible material thereon. A lid is spaced from the base for supporting an upper end of the rolls of flexible material, and a plurality of upright columns extend vertically between the base and the lid at a perimeter of the base. At least two hinges are defined in each of the upright columns to permit each of the upright columns to be moved between a vertical extended configuration wherein lower, intermediate and upper portions of the upright column are aligned and a collapsed configuration wherein the lower, intermediate and upper portions are obliquely arranged with respect to one another. A latch is associated with each of the hinges to selectively maintain the upright columns in the extended configuration.

Abstract: A flexible use modular energy pallet is provided herein. The modular energy pallet includes AC and DC outlets which may be dynamically enabled for use in a variety of applications. The modular energy pallet may be used in conjunction with other modular energy pallets to provide variable power output for different applications.

Abstract: A wing pallet with product self-centering feature having a top surface with a lower middle portion is provided. The pallet includes an upper portion having an upper surface that is slightly bowed downwardly in the middle portion and a lower portion that supports the upper portion. The upper surface can be slightly concave or have planar portions that are inclined downward from the outer sides or edges. The contour of the upper surface cause the trays stacked on the upper surface to lean toward the middle of the pallet. Two sets of stacked trays will lean toward each and have no gap formed at the top of the stacks.

Abstract: A pallet includes a deck and a plurality of columns supporting the deck. A cover is removably secured over an opening in the deck or in one of the plurality of columns. The opening leads to a recess for receiving an electronic device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method(s) according to which a first container lid is sealingly engaged against a container body. Once so sealingly engaged, a first portion of the first container lid is detachable from, and re-attachable to, the container body. A security band remains attached to a neck of the container body when the first portion of the container lid is detached from the container body. In one or more embodiments, when detached from the container body, the first portion of the container lid remains connected to the security band via a tether. The tether is formed substantially within security band. The container body is adapted to be stacked onto a second container lid so that a first three-dimensional profile of the second container lid matingly receives a second three-dimensional profile of the container body. In one or more embodiments, the second container lid is identical to the first container lid.

Abstract: A modular storage container system includes a substantially rectangular storage container defining an interior volume therein having a first plurality of magnets included on a first interior surface of the substantially rectangular storage container and a second plurality of magnets disposed upon a second interior surface within the interior volume of the substantially rectangular storage container. A plurality of internal magnetized storage containers each define a second interior volume. The plurality of internal magnetized storage containers is configured to be received within said interior volume defined by said substantially rectangular storage container.

Abstract: A packaging structure of the disclosure includes: a box in which a component is stored; and a holding member installed in the box, the holding member being configured to hold the component. The holding member includes: an undersurface portion that has a first opening portion into which the component is inserted and is placed on a bottom surface of the box; a top surface portion that has a second opening portion into which the component is inserted and is placed above the undersurface portion; and a first side surface portion connecting the undersurface portion and the top surface portion in an up-and-down direction. The holding member is formed by being bent along boundary lines between the first side surface portion, the undersurface portion, and the top surface portion, and is formed into two kinds of three-dimensional shapes that are mirror symmetric to each other, according to bending directions of the boundary line.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a flexible frame for use with a flexible container. The frame includes a first member coupled to a second member at a proximal end. The proximal end is configured to be adjacent to a base of the flexible container when the flexible container is received by the frame. The first and second members are configured to provide additional resistance against displacement of the flexible container by an external compression force to increase purchase and control when using the flexible container. In some embodiments, the frame may also assist in efficiently restoring the shape of the flexible container after the compression force is applied and/or provide feedback regarding the extent of the compressive force applied or contortion experienced by the flexible container.

Abstract: A closure for a container is provided. The container has a side surface and a rim. The rim defines an opening and an opening axis perpendicular to the opening. The closure has a top portion for covering the opening; and a skirt portion, connected to the top portion, that surrounds a region of the side surface when the closure is connected to the container. The skirt portion has thread portions that cooperate with thread portions on the side surface to define movement of the closure relative the container in a direction parallel to the opening axis as the closure rotates about the opening axis relative to the container. The closure includes a liner extend across the top portion of the closure and at least partway across the skirt portion away from the top portion. The liner seals the opening of a container when the closure is connected to the container.

Abstract: A lid (I) for a beverage cup (2) and a method for man-ufacturing the lid (I) are disclosed hereinafter. The lid (I) is made of multiple parts that form a chamber between a top (20) and a base (IO). At least portion of the parts are made of coated paperboard. The parts are connected by melting the coating of two abutting parts together. The base (IO) and the top (20) have openings (11, 12) that allow the user to drink the beverage through the lid (I). The chamber (14) provides resistance to splashes as the liquid passes through the lid (I).

Abstract: Proposed is a press-fit structure for sealing fastened portions while detachably fastening a first member and a second member to each other, the improved press-fit structure including: a male seal formed to protrude to a predetermined length on the first member, a female seal formed on the second member in a groove shape corresponding to the length of the male seal, and configured such that the male seal is press-fitted thereinto; and air discharge portions formed in portions of the male seal, and configured to provide discharge paths for air inside the female seal during the process of press-fitting the male seal.

Abstract: A lid cooperates with a container to define a receiving space, and includes a cover portion, a connecting portion, and a mouth portion. The cover portion includes a supporting wall, a connecting wall, and an intermediate wall interconnecting inner edges of the supporting and connecting walls. The connecting portion is connected to a periphery of the cover portion for detachable connection with a mouth portion of the container. The mouth portion includes a mouth inner wall cooperating with the connecting wall and the intermediate wall to define a buffer space. The buffer space has opposite wide and narrow space areas. The mouth inner wall has a middle arcuate portion facing the wide space area, and two side arcuate portions each connected between one end of the middle arcuate portion and a portion of the inner edge of the supporting wall.

Abstract: A cover of a container assembly includes a cover portion, a connecting portion connected to a periphery of the cover portion, and a plurality of stopping protrusions formed around the outer sidewall. The cover is detachably connected to a mouth portion of a container of the container assembly, and cooperates with the container to define a receiving space. The connecting portion includes an outer sidewall surrounding and pressing against the mouth portion and having an end edge. Each stopping protrusion forms an included angle with the end edge, and has a highest point cooperating with a lowest point of the mouth portion to define a contact area having a height along the axis that is more than 30% of a height of each stopping protrusion along the axis.

Abstract: A cover of a container assembly includes a cover portion, a connecting portion connected to a periphery of the cover portion, and a stopping portion formed around the outer sidewall. The container assembly further includes a container having a mouth portion surrounding an axis. The cover is detachably connected to the mouth portion and cooperates with the container to define a receiving space. The connecting portion is connected to a periphery of the cover portion, and includes an outer sidewall surrounding and pressing against the mouth portion and having an end edge. The stopping portion has a highest point cooperating with a lowest point of the mouth portion to define a contact area for frictional contact with the mouth portion. The contact area has a height along the axis that is more than 30% of a height of the stopping portion along the axis.

Abstract: A cover of a container assembly includes a cover portion and a connecting portion connected to a periphery of the cover portion and integrally formed as one piece with the same from pulp,. The container assembly further includes a container having a mouth portion surrounding an axis. The cover is detachably connected to the mouth portion, and cooperates with the container to define a receiving space. The connecting portion includes an outer sidewall surrounding and pressing against the mouth portion and having opposite outer and inner surfaces, a groove recessed from the outer surface and surrounding the axis, and a protruding rib protruding from the inner surface and opposite to the groove. The groove and the protruding rib are simultaneously formed by extrusion after the outer sidewall is formed. The protruding rib is configured to block the mouth portion.

Abstract: A container is provided. The container comprises a container body, at least one compartment, a body tab, and a protrusion. The container body has at least one lid that is releasably securable to the container body and movable. The at least one lid has a peripheral wall, a hinge side wall, and a base wall coupled to the peripheral wall and a lid tab secured to one or both of the base wall and the interior of the peripheral wall. The lid tab is releasably mateable with the body tab in the closed position and a hinge side wall and a living hinge disposed proximate the hinge side wall. A moving hinge includes a first portion of the moving hinge which is secured to the second side wall of the container body and the second portion of the moving hinge which is secured to the living hinge.

Abstract: A container and a cap formed during a step of a blow, fill and/or seal method and/or a form, fill and/or seal method. The cap can be connected to the container. The cap is used to cover and/or lock the container. A breakable frangible membrane connects the cap and the container. In some embodiments of this invention, a force is applied to the cap, and when the force is applied, the force has a magnitude large enough to break the breakable frangible membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a one-piece spout device and a method of making the same. A one-piece spout device may comprise a spout body, cap portion, and an air-vent portion. A method of making a one-piece spout device. may involve heating a resilient flexible material and molding it into the shape of a one-piece spout device. The one-piece spout device preferably provides an easy-to-use spout attachable to containers, including gas cans, which does not leak and remains resilient and flexible over a wide range of temperatures, and is long-lasting with repeated use.

Abstract: A child resistant pill container includes a locking feature, which can be unlocked using a knob. The knob can be a rotatable knob or a slide knob. The knob will be fixed or locked in place until being released/unlocked by squeezing an actuator. The squeeze action allows the knob to move out of its fixed position and move by either rotation or linearly sliding. The motion of the knob moves a lock bar from its locked position to an unlocked position. While the lock bar is in the unlocked position, one or more of the lids can be unlatched and lifted from their closed position to an open position. When the knob is released, a spring action returns the knob back to the fixed (locked) position, moving the lock bar back into the locked position, and any lids still in the closed position are again locked in place.

Abstract: A child resistant storage case having a base with an offset hinge lid forming an interior storage area therein. A deformable sealing and lid retainment insert has oppositely disposed dual latch elements registerably retaining the lid in closed sealed position. A pair of independent release buttons extending through respective base end walls engaging respective yielding end portions of said sealing and lid retainment insert under simultaneous inward pressure releasing the lid for storage area access.

Abstract: A food storage container including a case having an open side and forming a storage space and a case cover configured to be detachably coupled to the case so that, when coupled to the case, the case cover covers the open side of the case and seals the storage space, the case cover including a receiving portion forming a receiving space configured to accommodate a gas absorbent, and having a discharge hole between the receiving space and the storage space, a valve to open and close the discharge hole in response to a pressure inside the storage space, and a receiving portion cover configured to be detachably coupled to the receiving portion so that, when coupled to the receiving portion, the receiving portion cover seals the receiving space, wherein a gas flowing from the storage space through the discharge hole to the receiving space is adsorbed by the gas absorbent.

Abstract: The present invention provides an instant-mix cap, which relates to the technical field of the bottle cap. The instant-mix cap includes a cap body and a sealing plug, and the cap body and the sealing plug enclosed to form a sealed storage chamber, a pushing part can drive an elastic part to deform and move downward under the action of an external force, and a pillar simultaneously pushes the sealing plug to move downward, so that the sealing plug is forced to be disconnected from a bottom of a cap cylinder, thereby opening the storage chamber.

Abstract: A cover device includes: a guide module which is coupled to an upper end portion of the container, has an upward inclination at a predetermined angle, has an inclined protruding unit that protrudes, and is formed with a communication port through which the inside and the outside of the housing space communicate; a discharge module which is formed in a long pipe shape, and in which one side along a longitudinal direction penetrates the communication port and is disposed inside the container, the other side is exposed to the outside to form a discharge port; and a fixing module which is fixedly coupled to the inclined protruding unit in a state in which the other part of the discharge module penetrates, and is formed so that the discharge module is pressed toward the guide module.

Abstract: A tray assembly for holding one or more articles, the tray assembly including a lid having a lid portion coupled to an upper hinge portion, a base having a base portion coupled to a lower hinge portion, the base portion extending at least partially around an interior of the tray assembly, and a hinge between the lid and the base and including the upper hinge portion and the lower hinge portion, the hinge for repositioning the tray assembly between a closed configuration, in which the lid at least partially overlies the base, and an open configuration, in which the lid is raised away from the base, the upper hinge portion hingably coupled to the lower hinge portion, at least one of the lid portion, the base portion, the upper hinge portion, and the lower hinge portion includes paperboard.

Abstract: Cable binder for vehicles, cable-binding assembly comprising the binder, and vehicle lamp with the assembly. The binder comprises a body for attachment to a vehicle component, and a strip for binding cables. The strip can be closed into a loop for binding the cables using a securing mechanism. The body comprises a mounting protrusion for insertion into an opening in a wall of the component. The mounting protrusion comprises a poka-yoke element for engaging with a complementary poka-yoke element in the opening. The mounting protrusion is tapered to facilitate insertion into the opening, and its tapered section is ended by a back surface for bracing against the wall after the insertion is done. The mounting protrusion further comprises a slit dividing the mounting protrusion into at least two parts.

Abstract: Provided is a packing material including: a body sheet for wrapping an article therein; at least one first tape attached to the body sheet; and at least two second tapes attached to the body sheet. When a longitudinal direction of the at least one first tape is defined as a first direction, each of the at least two second tapes is disposed to have its longitudinal side coinciding with the first direction. The at least two second tapes are disposed away from each other in a second direction crossing the first direction. The at least one first tape is disposed between the at least two second tapes in the second direction, and disposed away in the second direction from each of the at least two second tapes.

Abstract: A packaging box includes an outer paper shell and an inner film. At least one edge of the inner film includes a first adhesive portion to be bonded with the outer paper shell. A perforation line or area is disposed on the outer paper shell. The inner film also includes a second adhesive portion, and the second adhesive portion surrounds the perforation line and bonds with the outer paper shell. A covering is disposed at the outside of the outer paper shell to cover the perforation line.

Abstract: An adhesive flavor strip is provided. The adhesive flavor strip is configured to be adhered to a beverage container or an edible product. The adhesive flavor strip includes a length, a width, and a thickness; a consumer-facing surface extending along the length and the width of the flavor strip. The adhesive flavor strip has a flavor and is configured to be licked or to make contact with the mouth of the consumer while adhered to the beverage container or the edible product to provide the consumer a taste of the first flavor.

Abstract: The present application relates to a technical field of plastic article, and in particular, to a degradable plastic bottle, a preparation method therefor and a degradation method therefor. The bottle is prepared by blowing a combined degradable material formed by melting and extruding a resin mixture, the resin mixture includes the following components in parts by weight: 10-60 parts of polylactic acid, 20-50 parts of polybutylene adipate terephthalate, 0.5-20 parts of polymethyl ethylene carbonate, 0.5-20 parts of polyglycolic acid, and 1-10 parts of calcium carbonate.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more articles, a blank for forming the carton and a method of packaging articles. The carton may have at least one display window for presentation of an article therein. The carton comprises a plurality of panels forming walls of a tubular structure including a top wall, a first side wall, a base wall, and a second side wall. The carton comprises a bottom opening defined, at least, in the bottom wall. The bottom opening is vertically aligned with the at least one article when the at least one article is received in the carton such that the at least one article is accessible through the bottom opening to be raised and lowered with respect to the bottom wall.

Abstract: A consumption packet includes a bag and a dispensing arrangement. The bag includes a first bag wall and a second bag wall defining a cavity between the first and second bag walls. The bag further has an enclosable area defined at the first bag wall and a pouch opening formed within the enclosable area. The dispensing arrangement includes a sealing flap extended from the second bag wall and folded on the first bag wall to enclose the enclosable area thereof so as to seal the pouch opening by the sealing flap, wherein the sealing flap is unfolded from the enclosable area to unseal the pouch opening.

Abstract: A container includes: a skeleton shell defining a container body of the container, the skeleton shell being formed from a recycled and/or biodegradable pulp material; and, a bag or liner removably disposed within the skeleton shell. Wherein the skeleton shell includes at least one separation feature that facilitates separation of the skeleton shell from the bag or liner.

Abstract: A variably-compressed dry-molded fiber packaging component includes a unitary body formed of plant-based fibers. The unitary body includes a high-compressed region and a low-compressed region. The high-compressed region has a density of at least twice that of the low-compressed region.

Abstract: A telescopic strut includes an external tube, a ratchet-based mechanism securely connected to the external tube, an internal tube movably inserted in the external tube through the ratchet-based mechanism, teeth formed on the internal tube and engageable with the ratchet-based mechanism, a lever pivotable to operate the ratchet-based mechanism to extend the internal tube from the external tube, a first contact element for contact with a first portion of a container, and a second contact element connected to the internal tube and operable for contact with a second portion of the container. A pre-abutment mechanism is arranged between the external tube and the first contact element. The pre-abutment mechanism includes a first tube connected to the external tube, a second tube telescopically connected to first tube, and a spring tending to extend the first tube from the second tube.

Abstract: An air-moving apparatus comprising a handle portion, a coupling portion for making air-tight connection with the entry portion of a container, a flexible body interconnecting the handle portion and the coupling portion, and a valve arrangement. The apparatus is to operate to move air into or out of a container through the valve arrangement by contracting or expansion movements of the tubular portion.