Gas evacuation system with counter

A device for puncturing a pressurized container for relieving the pressure therein and for releasing the gases and residual contents thereof into a collection receptacle, said device comprising:

• a generally elongated housing member defining an elongated cavity with openings at first and second ends thereof for receiving a pressurized container at said first end and further including an attachment means for securing said second end of said housing member to said receptacle for collecting contents expelled from said pressurized container through said second end;
• a puncturing means mounted on said housing member intermediate said first and second ends for piercing said pressurized container whereby gases and residual contents thereof are emptied into said collection receptacle through said opening at said second end;
• a counter means cooperatively engaged with said puncturing means wherein said counter means records each piercing of said pressurized container by an increasing count such that at a plurality of preselected counts prior to a preselected maximum count and without resetting the counter, at least one maintenance activity is indicated as due and such that at preselected additional increasing counts an additional maintenance activity is indicated as due;
• said device further comprising a force-applying means movably mounted on said housing member for engaging said pressurized container positioned in said elongated cavity and forcing said pressurized container towards said second end, wherein said force-applying means comprises a plate affixed to a shaft which is slidably mounted on said housing member.

In a device for puncturing a pressurized container for relieving the pressure therein and for releasing for collection in a receptacle, residual contents thereof, the improvement wherein:

• said device comprises a generally elongated housing member defining an elongated cavity with openings at first and second ends thereof for receiving a pressurized container therein at said first end and further including an attachment means for selectively securing said second end of said housing member to a receptacle for collecting contents expelled from said second end and for supporting said housing;
• a puncturing means mounted on said housing member intermediate said first and second ends for piercing said pressurized container in said cavity whereby gases and residual contents thereof are emptied into said collection receptacle through said opening at said second end;
• a counter means cooperatively engaged with said puncturing means wherein said counter means records each piercing of said pressurized container by an increasing count such that at a plurality of preselected counts prior to a preselected maximum count and without resetting the counter, at least one maintenance activity is indicated as due and such that at preselected additional increasing counts an additional maintenance activity is indicated as due;
• and
• wherein said housing member defines an internal shoulder within said elongated cavity between said puncturing means and said first end whereby said pressurized container can be inserted into said first end in an inverted attitude with an external shoulder thereof engaging said internal shoulder, with a portion thereof extending below said shoulder means to be punctured by said puncturing means.