Seal rupturing and dispensing fixture for normally sealed prepressurized tanks

Claim 1

A fixture for dispensing flowable material from a high pressure storage tank, and comprising a discharge fitting adapted for detachable connection at one end to the tank and having an axial discharge passage and an internal annular shoulder in the passage and facing toward the other end of the passage; an imperforate seal of bendable material detachably secured on said shoulder and normally sealing the discharge passage; a cutter disposed in the discharge passage of the fitting and rotatable relative to the fitting about a predetermined axis and movable for advancement parallel to the said axis toward the seal during said rotation, and having a passage therethrough in communication with the discharge passage; a blade on the cutter, said blade being relatively short circumferentially of said axis and being spaced outwardly from said axis and projecting toward the seal and being shaped and positioned to engage and pierce said seal upon advancement of the cutter and then to progressively cut an arcuate kerf entirely through the seal from the point of initial piercing upon continued said rotation of the cutter and to leave the cut-loose portion of the seal movable outwardly toward said other end of the passage of the fitting free from obstruction by the blade; constraining means to constrain the loose portion of the seal from movement into blocking relation with respect to said passage; and a manually operable valve having a body detachably connected to the cutter and fitting; said body having a passage in communication with the passage in the cutter and being operable upon rotation to cause the cutter to rotate and advance concurrently.