Apparatus for unloading pressurized fluid

Apparatus for use in unloading contents of a container using laser light capable of forming a hole in said container, said apparatus comprising:

• a containment having a first window, said window adapted for passing said laser light substantially without attenuation and dispersion;
• a housing within said containment and having an interior, a second window and an opening;
• means for holding said container, said holding means positioned in spaced relation to said housing so that said container is held in said opening, said container being held so that said laser light can strike said container after passing through said first and said second windows to make a hole in said container, said housing containing said contents of said container that leave said container through said hole;
• and
• means for withdrawing said contents of said container from said containment.

Apparatus for unloading gas from a pressurized container, said container having a wall, said apparatus comprising:

• means for generating a laser light beam having sufficient energy to penetrate said wall of said container;
• a housing having
• a first window adapted to pass said beam without significant attenuation, and
• a nozzle dimensioned to receive said container;
• means for holding said container stem in said housing through said nozzle so that said beam can strike said container;
• a tank in fluid communication with said housing so that said fluid flows from said container into said housing and said tank;
• a pump for withdrawing fluid from said sealed housing, said pump in fluid communication with the interior of said sealed housing;
• and
• a containment covering said pump, said tank, said holding means and said housing, said containment having a second window adapted to pass said beam,
• said first and said second windows positioned so that said beam can pass therethrough into said housing to said container, thereby said beam can burn a hole in said wall of said container and release said fluid into said housing.