the scope of the disclosed portable vacuum pump by way of example without limitation the stand off structure may extend from the top of container 400 to the bottom i e u201c vertically u201d rather than horizontally as illustrated in fig2 similarly stand off structure 430 may have a small surface area relative to that of container 400 such as without limitation a patch of stand off structures which are adhesively bonded to container 400 proximate to valve 410 in an embodiment stand off structure 430 may comprise a plurality of holes or other perforations through which fluid can pass referring again to fig1 tip 130 may comprise a plurality of ribs or other structural supports 132 such supports can enable tip 130 to maintain a desired shape even as a vacuum is drawn this can allow tip 130 to activate valve 410 of fig4 and to continue such activation as the vacuum is drawn supports 132 can also reduce the likelihood that portions of valve 410 will obstruct tip 130 tip 130 may also comprise o ring 134 or other similar semi rigid material the semi rigid material can extend slightly from tip 130 and thus provide a deformable interface between valve 410 and tip 130 the use of a semi rigid material on tip 130 can thus permit tip 130 to form a tight seal with valve 410 in an embodiment o ring 134 may comprise black nitrile buna n elastomer with a nominal 70 durometer hardness silicone neoprene or other flexible material and may be adhesively bonded to tip 130 as illustrated in fig5 and 6 or may be press fit into a channel in or near.