Process and apparatus for the removal of gases and/or liquids from a container

A process for emptying fluids from a container with a tool;

• said tool comprising:
• a housing;
• said housing comprising means for storing propellant, said propellant to generate pressure pulses;
• a piercing element for piercing a hole in the container;
• said piercing element comprising a pointed tip on a first end;
• said housing comprising a piercing element guide for guiding said piercing element;
• said piercing element being disposed in said piercing element guide;
• said piercing element comprising a first stop surface for stopping said piercing element from completely exiting said piercing element guide and for permitting said piercing element to be withdrawn from the hole in the container to allow fluid to drain freely through the hole;
• trigger means for releasing pressure pulses from the propellant;
• said trigger means being connected to said housing;
• and said housing comprising a pressure chamber for transferring pressure of the pressure pulses to said piercing element to thus propel said piercing element to pierce the container;
• said process comprising the steps of:
• placing propellant in said means for storing propellant;
• releasing a pressure pulse from said propellant with said trigger means;
• transferring said pressure pulse to said piercing element through said pressure chamber;
• driving said piercing element with said pressure pulse;
• guiding said piercing element with said piercing element guide;
• penetrating a wall of the container with said pointed tip of said piercing element to create a drain hole;
• stopping said piercing element with said first stop surface and a second stop surface on said piercing element guide to prevent said piercing element from completely exiting said piercing element guide;
• withdrawing said piercing element from the drain hole;
• allowing fluid to drain from the drain hole immediately;
• and
• returning said piercing element into said piercing element guide.