WO2010048656A1

WO2010048656A1 - Apparatus for relieving excess pressure from a container

Info

Publication number: WO2010048656A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/000706
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Stead; Stephen Kurtz
Original assignee: David Stead; Stephen Kurtz
Priority date: 2008-10-28
Filing date: 2009-05-29
Publication date: 2010-05-06

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for relieving excess pressure from a container having a closure member is disclosed. The apparatus (10) includes a fluid containment housing (16) defining an interior space having an open mouth (21), and a securing arrangement that is a clamp (22) for clamping the housing (16) securely onto the container with its mouth over the closure member. The apparatus (10) also includes an actuator (24) located within the interior space for cooperating with the closure member for controllably removing the closure member. The apparatus (10) includes a resiliently compressible seal for sealing the open mouth against the container, when the fluid containment housing is mounted thereon. The actuator (24) is operatively controllable from outside the fluid containment housing (16). In some forms it may also include a remote controller for facilitating remote control of the operation of the actuator remotely.

Description

APPARATUS FOR RELIE=VING EΞXCESS PRESSURE FROM A CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for relieving excess pressure from a container having a closure member. The invention also relates to a method for relieving excess pressure from a container having a closure member.

The invention relates particularly but not exclusively to an apparatus for relieving excessive fluid pressure that has build up in a container, such as a drum, that contains highly evaporative fluid, or the like. It will therefore be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to this example application. However at the same time it must be recognized that the invention applies also to other applications, such as relieving excessive steam pressure from a vehicle radiator.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Containers are widely used for containing fluids. These fluids may be evaporative at normal storage temperature and highly evaporative at relatively higher temperatures.

In some circumstance, highly evaporative and potentially harmful fluids are temporarily bulk stored in large containers until they are properly disposed of. The inlet and outlet openings of these containers are normally closed with a closure member to prevent the fluids from escaping and contaminating the environment.

Conveniently, these containers may be stored outside in the open air where they are exposed to the elements. These containers that are stored outside in the open may be exposed to heat from the sun. The heat from the sun increases the temperature within the containers which in turn encourages evaporation of the fluids inside the closed off container and causes fluid pressure or vapour pressure to build up inside the container.

If the fluid pressure inside the container builds up too high, then the pressure may cause the container to rupture or even to explode. Such rupturing of the containers creates safety risks to surrounding structures and humans. Also, the spillage of the potentially harmful fluids caused by said rupturing of the container may cause contamination of the environment surrounding the container.

One way in which the risks associated with the storage of evaporative and harmful fluids in containers has been mitigated, is to maintain a close watch on the containers to identify signs of pressure built-up in the container. For example, side walls of some containers bulge outwardly under excessive pressure which is a warning sign that an unacceptably high pressure due to vapour pressure has built up within the container.

When such a bulging or expanded or swollen container is detected, then the closure member may be temporarily removed from the container to relieve the excessive build-up of pressure from the container. However it is a hazardous operation to remove a closure member from such a pressurised container. It is hazardous because the build up of vapour pressure within the container is released and vented when the closure member is released. This may discharge fluids out of the container with force or it may force the closure member off the container uncontrollably. This may cause injury to the person removing the closure member. It may also cause contamination of the surroundings causing a health risk and it may also cause environmental damage.

Further it should be borne in mind that pressure may build up within a container without any external visual indication of such pressure build up.

Clearly therefore it would be advantageous if a technique or method could be devised for removing a closure member from a pressurised container for relieving pressure from the container in away that alleviates the risks associated therewith as mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention provides an apparatus for relieving excess pressure from a container having a closure member, the apparatus including: a fluid containment housing defining an interior space having an open mouth; a securing arrangement for mounting the fluid containment housing securely onto the container such that the closure member of the container is received in the interior space; and an actuator located within the interior space for cooperating with the closure member for controllably removing the closure member, the actuator being operatively controllable from outside the fluid containment housing.

The interior space may be substantially enclosed and the closure member of the container may be received within the open mouth of the fluid containment housing.

The fluid containment housing may include an inverted cup shaped body having a side wall and an operativeiy upper top wall opposite the open mouth. The cup shaped body may include a circular cylindrical side wall portion merging with a wide end of a frusto- conical side wall portion, and an annular top wall closing off a narrow end of the frusto- conical side wall portion.

The apparatus may include a seal for sealing the open mouth against the container, when the fluid containment housing is mounted securely onto the container with its open mouth over the closure member of the container. The seal may include an annular resiliently compressible seal fitted along a circumferentially extending edge of the side wall that defines the open mouth of the interior space.

The fluid containment housing may define at least one fluid outlet aperture in fluid communication with the interior space of the fluid containment housing. For example, the side wall of the fluid containment housing may define three equiangularly spaced fluid outlet apertures that are in communication with the interior space of the fluid containment housing.

The securing arrangement may include a clamp for clamping the fluid containment housing securely onto the container with its open mouth over the closure member. The clamp may include at least two screw-threaded shanks protruding through respective threaded apertures defined by the side wall of the fluid containment housing, the threaded shanks being screw-threadedly displaceable towards and away from the interior space.

In one embodiment, the apparatus may include at least three equiangularly spaced screw- threaded shanks that protrude into the interior space through their screw threaded apertures at an inclined angle towards the open mouth of the fluid containment housing, for clamping onto a drum wall surrounding a bung hole of a drum. In particular the shanks may be clamped onto a rim formation surrounding and defining the bung hole.

In another embodiment, the apparatus may include two diametrically opposite screw- threaded shanks that protrude transversely into the interior space through their screw threaded apertures at right angles adjacent the open mouth of the fluid containment housing, for clamping onto a fluid inlet conduit portion of a vehicle radiator.

The actuator may include a rotatable shaft axially disposed within the interior space, and an engagement formation towards its free end for engaging the closure member. The engaging formation may include a rectangular lug for engaging a complementary shaped slot defined by a bung hole closure member of a drum.

The engagement formation may include a transverse bar and two transversely spaced apart downwardly protruding prongs for engaging diagonally opposite side edges of an generally rounded oblong shaped vehicle radiator closure member.

The engagement formation may include a drill bit end, or a frictional grip pad.

The rotatable shaft may include a protruding shaft portion that protrudes through the operatively upper top wall, so that that the protruding shaft portion is rotatably controllable from outside the fluid containment housing.

The actuator may include a user operable handle mounted transversely across the protruding shaft portion, for permitting a user to rotate the shaft to loosen the closure member controllably.

Also, the actuator may include an electrical rotary motor drivingly connected to the rotatable shaft. The electrical rotary motor may be a stepper motor for rotating the rotary shaft controllably step-wise.

The apparatus may include a remote controller for controlling the rotation of the rotary motor remote from the container onto which it is mounted. The remote controller may include an electrical lead or cable electrically connecting a controller unit remotely to the electrical rotary motor. The apparatus may include at least one fluid conduit connected to the at least one fluid outlet aperture in fluid communication with the interior space of the fluid containment housing, for conveying fluids from the interior space to a fluid collection container.

Moreover, the apparatus may include a filter for filtering fluids passing through the fluid outlet. The filter may selectively remove certain components of the fluid passed through the fluid outlet and through the filter.

The filter may include a filter element installed across the fluid outlet aperture, for filtering out harmful components within the fluid passing through the fluid outlet opening. The filter element may include a carbon-filter element for selectively adsorbing certain components.

The invention also provides a method for relieving excess pressure from a container containing fluid having a closure member, which method includes: mounting a fluid containment housing defining an interior space and having an open mouth onto the pressurised container such that it is positioned over the closure member; and controlling an actuator within the interior space that is operatively able to cooperate with the closure member, for controllably removing the closure member, so that pressurised fluid can be released from the container into the fluid housing when the closure member is removed.

The mounting may include sealing the mouth of the fluid containment housing against the pressurised container when it is placed over the closure member, and the housing may be substantially enclosed.

The method may include releasing fluids from the fluid containment housing through at least one fluid outlet aperture that is defined by the fluid containment housing.

The mounting may include clamping the fluid containment housing securely onto the container over the closure member.

The controlling may include controlling the actuator remotely from the fluid container housing with a remote controller. The method may also include providing at feast one fluid conduit for coupling to the at least one fluid outlet aperture, in fluid communication with the interior space of the fluid containment housing, and draining fluid from the fluid containment housing into a fluid collection container.

The method may include filtering the fluid through a filtering element mounted across the fluid outlet aperture, for filtering out harmful components within the fluid passing through the fluid outlet opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An apparatus, in accordance with the invention, for relieving excess pressure from a container having a closure member experiencing pressure build up, may manifest itself in a variety of forms. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe several embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. The purpose of providing this detailed description is to instruct persons having an interest in the subject matter of the invention how to carry the invention into practical effect. However it is to be clearly understood that the specific nature of this detailed description does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad description. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a three dimensional view of one embodiment of an apparatus for relieving excess pressure from a pressurised container having a closure member;

Figure 2 is a three dimensional view of an actuator forming part of the apparatus in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a fluid containment housing forming part of the apparatus in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the fluid containment housing in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the fluid containment housing in Figure 3 taken along lines V-V;

Figure 6 is a side elevation view of a screw-threaded shank forming part of the apparatus in Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 is a side elevation view of a handle bar forming part of the actuator in Figure 2; Figure 8 is a side elevation view of a rotatable shaft forming part of the actuator in Figure 2;

Figure 9 is another side elevation view of the rotatable shaft in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an end elevation view of the rotatable shaft in Figure 8; Figure 11 is a three dimensional view of another embodiment of the apparatus, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 12 is a three dimensional view of an apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 13 is a side elevation view of an end portion of another embodiment of a rotatable shaft of an actuator;

Figure 14 is a three dimensional view of an end portion of yet another embodiment of a rotatable shaft of an actuator;

Figure 15 is a side elevation view of yet another embodiment of the apparatus, in accordance with the invention, in use; Figure 16 is a plan view of the apparatus in Figure 16, in use;

Figure 17 is a three dimensional view of a yet further embodiment of the apparatus, in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 18 is a three dimensional partly cut-away view of the apparatus in Figure 1, in use, mounted on a container having a closure member.

In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates an apparatus, in accordance with the invention, for relieving excess pressure from a pressurised container 12 having a closure member 14.

The apparatus 10 includes a fluid containment housing, generally indicated by reference numeral 16. The fluid containment housing 16 defines an interior space 18 having an open mouth 21.

Also, the apparatus 10 includes a securing arrangement 22 for mounting the fluid containment housing 16 securely onto the container 12 with its open mouth 21 over the closure member 14 of the container 12.

The apparatus 10 further includes an actuator, generally indicated by reference numeral 24, located within the interior space 18 for cooperating with the closure member 14. The actuator 24 is for controllably removing the closure member 14 and is operatively actuable or controllable from outside the fluid containment housing 16.

The fluid containment housing 16 includes an inverted cup shaped body 26 having a side wall and an operatively upper top wall 28 opposite the lower open mouth 21. In this example, the side wall of the cup shaped body 26 includes two side wall portions, namely a circular cylindrical side wall portion 30 and a frusto-conical side wall portion 32 that merges with a wide end of the side wall portion 30. The top wall 28 is in the form of an annular top wall that closes off a narrow end of the frusto-conical side wall portion 32.

The cup shaped body 26 is formed from a metal alloy, such as stainless steel. The side wall portions 30, 32 typically have a thickness of between 5 mm and 35 mm. In this example, the circular cylindrical side wall portion 30 has a thickness of 10 mm, the frusto- conical side wall portion 32 has a thickness of 10 mm, and the top wall 28 has a thickness of about 28 mm.

The cup shaped body 26 defines at least one fluid outlet aperture 36. The fluid outlet aperture 36 is in fluid communication with the interior space 18 of the cup shaped body 26.

In the example embodiment shown in Figure 3, the cup shaped body 26 defines three fluid outlet apertures or bores that are equiangularly spaced about the cup axis 38.

The securing arrangement 22 includes a clamp for clamping the cup shaped body 26 securely onto the container 12 with its open mouth 20 over the closure member 14.

The clamp 22 is formed by three screw threaded shanks 40 that protrude through respective threaded apertures 42 defined by the side wall 30 of the cup shaped body 26. Thus, the screw threaded shanks 40 are screw-threadedly displaceable towards and away from the interior space 18. The screw threaded shank 40 is in the form of a threaded bolt 43 and a transverse handle 41 formed from a round bar.

The screw threaded apertures 42 (see Figure 5) are disposed at an inclined angle towards the open mouth 21 of the cup shaped body 26, and spaced equiangularly apart about the cup axis 38. Each screw threaded aperture 42 is located diametrically opposite an associated one of the fluid outlet openings 36.

The actuator 24 includes a rotatable shaft 44 that is axially disposed within the interior space 18 (see Figure 18). The shaft 44 is formed from a metal alloy round bar.

The shaft 44 of the actuator includes an engagement formation, generally indicated by reference numeral 46, towards one end for engaging, in use, the closure member 14. Generally, the engagement formation can take on many shapes and forms depending on the closure member with which it is to cooperate. In one example embodiment, the engagement formation 46 includes a rectangular lug 48 that projects axiaily away from the shaft 44. The rectangular lug 48 is shaped and dimensioned to fit into a slot 50 that is defined by the closure member 14 that is also known as a bung plug for a bung hole of a drum.

The rotatable shaft 44 of the actuator includes a protruding shaft portion that protrudes through a central opening of the annular top wall 28 opposite the lower open mouth 18 of the cup shaped body 26. The protruding shaft portion can thus be rotated for rotating the entire shaft 44. Thus, the shaft 44 is rotatably controllable from outside the fluid containment housing 16.

The actuator 24 also includes a user operable handle 54 formed from a round bar. The protruding shaft portion 52 defines a transverse bore 56 though which the user operable handle 54 passes so that it is mounted transversely across the protruding shaft portion 52. Therefore a user can grip the handle 54 and rotate the shaft 44 controllably.

Figure 11 shows another embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 60, of an apparatus in accordance with the invention. The apparatus 11 also includes a cup shaped body 62, and an actuator 64, and a securing arrangement 66.

The apparatus 60 further includes a seal 34 for sealing the open mouth of the cup shaped body 62 against a container when the cup shaped body 62 is mounted securely onto the container with its open mouth over a closure member of the container. The seal 34 is in the form of an annular resiliently compressible seal, such as an annular rubber seal, fitted along a circumferentially extending edge of the side wall 68 that defines the open mouth of the cup shaped body 62.

Also, the apparatus 60 includes a conduit adapter 70 that defines its fluid outlet opening, so that a conduit 72, for example a hose, is connectable in fluid communication with an interior space of the cup shaped body 62. This way any fluid that escapes through the fluid outlet opening may be directed by the conduit that is a hose into a fluid collection container (not shown).

Figure 12 shoes a further embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 74, in accordance with the invention. The apparatus 74 includes a cup shaped body 76, and an actuator 78, not unlike those in earlier described embodiments of the apparatus.

However, the apparatus 74 includes a filter element 84 that extends across an outlet opening of the cup shaped body 76 defined by the side wall 80. The filter element 84 is suitable for filtering out harmful substances from any fluids that pass through the fluid outlet opening. In this example, the filter element 84 is a carbon-filter element.

Figure 13 shows another embodiment of an engagement formation 86 forming part of a rotatable shaft of an actuator and an apparatus, in accordance with the invention. The engagement formation is in the form of a drill bit. The drill bit 86 can be used for drilling into a closure member, for example if a closure member is stuck or does not define formations for mating with a complementary shaped engagement formation.

Figure 14 shows a further embodiment of an engagement formation 88 and includes a frictional grip pad 90. This embodiment is particularly useful for rotating a closure member that has a generally smooth surface or that does not define formations for mating with a complementary shaped engagement formation.

Figures 15 and 16 illustrate another embodiment of an apparatus, generally indicated by reference numeral 92, in accordance with the invention. The apparatus 92 is essentially similar to the embodiments of the apparatuses described above. However the Fig. 15 embodiment has some differences from the earlier embodiments and these differences will be described below. The engagement formation 94 is shaped or steed for engaging a closure member or plug 96 commonly used on a vehicle radiator unit. The engagement formation 94 includes a transverse back plate 98 and two prong formations 100 that project from either end in an axial direction away from the back plate 98. The prong formations 100 are transversely spaced apart so that they interfere with diagonally opposite side edges of the plug 92, for rotating the plug 96 when the shaft 102 is rotated.

Figure 17 shows a yet further embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 104. The apparatus 104 includes a cup shaped body 118, a securing arrangement 120, and a seal 34 essentially similar to the embodiments of the apparatuses as described above.

The apparatus 104, however, includes an actuator 122 that is electrically driven. The actuator 122 includes a rotatable shaft 110 and en electrical rotary motor 106 mounted on the cup shaped body 118 with a mounting bracket 108.

The apparatus 104 further includes a controller 114 that is electrically connected to the rotary motor 106 with en electrical cord or lead 112. It is important that the closure member, in use, is capable of being controllably rotated. Therefore, the electrical motor 106 can be in the form of a stepper motor that is able to rotate the shaft 110 in rotational steps. The controller 114 can be configured to control the direction of rotation of the drive shaft 110.

The apparatus 104 also includes a power source 116 for supplying power to the stepper motor 106 and the controller 114. In one example, the stepper motor is a DC motor that is known to exert relatively high torque compared to its size, for example a 12V DC stepper motor, and the power source can be a conventional 12V vehicle battery.

In use, the apparatus 10 can be used for relieving excessive fluid pressure that has built up in a container 12.

Figure 18 shows a container 12 in the form of a drum having a closure member 14 in the form of a bung plug in a bung hole in a top wall of the drum 14. The drum contains a highly evaporative fluid that has built up a fluid pressure (that is a vapour pressure) inside the drum. Such elevated pressure may cause the drum 14 to rupture. The apparatus 10 is used to relieve excess pressure from the drum by placing the cup shaped body 26 centrally over the bung plug 14. The user then grips the handle and rotates the shaft 44 until the rectangular lug 48 mates with the slot 50 of the bung plug 14. The cup shaped body 26 is now located in the appropriate position relative to the bung plug 14.

The user then pushes downwardly onto the cup shaped body 26 to compress the seal 34, and tightens the screw threaded shanks 40 until their ends abut against an outside surface of the rim of the bung hole. The cup shaped body 26 is now securely mounted onto the drum 12 and sealed to the drum 12.

The user then grips the handle 54 and rotates the shaft 44 slowly and controllably through an angle that is enough to break the seal formed between the bung plug 14 and the wall of the container or the rim of the bung hole. At this stage some of the pressurised fluid escapes out of the bung hole and is received within the cup shaped body 26. The escaped fluid is then exhausted through the fluid outlet openings 36 and either filtered and then released or captured, depending on the fluids involved and the application.

When the pressure is relieved, the user can rotate the shaft and hence the bung plug further, to release even more of the pressurised fluids. Once the pressure has been relieved the drum can be sealed up again.

Advantageously, the embodiments 10, 60, 74, 92, and 104 of the apparatus as described and illustrated, can reduce at least to some extent the dangers associated with removing a closure member 14 from a container 12 for relieving excess pressure from the container 14.

The cup shaped body 26 contains and confines the fluids, gas or liquid that escapes from the container 12 when the closure member 14 is loosened, and thereby prevents spray of the fluid onto a user.

Another advantage of the embodiments 10, 60. 74, 92, and 104 of the apparatus is that the cup shaped body is formed from a rigid and strong material, and has thick side walls so that the structural integrity of the cup shaped body 26 is able to resist an impact from a closure member 14 if it is unexpectedly forced off the container under pressure. In such an instance, the cup shaped body 26 contains and confines the closure member 14, advantageously, so that it does not strike a user.

A yet further advantage of the embodiment 60 of the apparatus enables the expelled fluids to be directed with a hose 72 into a fluid collection container that avoids contamination of the container's 14 surroundings.

A yet further advantage of the embodiment 74 of the apparatus is that it includes a filter element 84 that prevents harmful fluid being released into the environment. Conveniently, the filter elements 74 are replaceable and interchangeable as needed.

The embodiment 104 of the apparatus that includes the electrically driven actuator and remote controller 114, permits a user advantageously to stand away from the drum 14 and to loosen the bung plug 14 controllably, and therefore even increases the safety of the user.

Further advantages of the embodiments 10, 60, 74, 92, and 104 of the apparatus are that it is relatively easy to construct with materials commonly available and relatively inexpensive.

It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as is herein set forth.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus for relieving excess pressure from a container having a closure member, the apparatus including: a fluid containment housing defining an interior space having an open mouth; a securing arrangement for mounting the fluid containment housing securely onto the container with its open mouth over the closure member of the container; and an actuator located within the interior space for cooperating with the closure member for controllably removing the closure member, the actuator being operatively controllable from outside the fluid containment housing.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , in which the fluid containment housing includes an inverted cup shaped body having a side wall and the open mouth at one end of the side wall, and an operatively upper top wall at another end of the side wall opposite the open mouth.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the cup shaped body includes a circular cylindrical side wall portion merging with a wide end of a frusto-conical side wall portion, and in which the top wall has an annular shape closing off a narrow end of the frusto-conical side wall portion.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a seal for sealing the open mouth against the container, when the fluid containment housing is mounted securely onto the container with its open mouth over the closure member of the container.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the seal includes an annular resiliently compressible seal fitted along a circumferentially extending edge of the side wall that defines the open mouth of the interior space.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the fluid containment housing defines at least one fluid outlet aperture in fluid communication with the interior space of the fluid containment housing.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the side wall of the fluid containment housing defines three equiangularly spaced fluid outlet apertures that are in communication with the interior space of the fluid containment housing.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the securing arrangement includes a clamp for clamping the fluid containment housing securely onto the container with its open mouth over the closure member.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, in which the clamp includes at least two screw-threaded shanks protruding through respective threaded apertures defined by the side wall of the fluid containment housing, the threaded shanks being screw-threadedly displaceable towards and away from the interior space.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, which includes at least three equiangularly spaced screw-threaded shanks that protrude into the interior space through their screw threaded apertures at an inclined angle towards the open mouth of the fluid containment housing, for clamping onto a rim defining a bung hole of a drum.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, which includes two diametrically opposite screw-threaded shanks that protrude transversely into the interior space through their screw threaded apertures at right angles adjacent the open mouth of the fluid containment housing, for clamping onto a fluid inlet conduit portion of a vehicle radiator.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the actuator includes a rotatable shaft axially disposed within the interior space, and an engagement formation towards its free end for engaging the closure member.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, in which the engagement formation includes a rectangular lug for engaging a complementary shaped slot defined by a bung hole closure member of a drum.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, in which the engagement formation includes a transverse bar and two transversely spaced apart downwardly protruding prongs for engaging diagonally opposite side edges of an generally rounded oblong shaped vehicle radiator closure member.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, in which the engagement formation includes a drill bit end.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, in which the engagement formation includes a frictional grip pad.

17. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, in which the rotatable shaft includes a protruding shaft portion that protrudes through the operatively upper top wall, so that that the protruding shaft portion is rotatably controllable from outside the fluid containment housing.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, which includes a user operable handle mounted transversely across the protruding shaft portion, for permitting a user to rotate the shaft to loosen the closure member controllably.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, which includes an electrical rotary motor drivingly connected to the rotatable shaft.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 19, in which the electrical rotary motor is a stepper motor for rotating the rotary shaft controllably step wise.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20, which includes a remote controller for controlling the rotation of the rotary motor remote from the container onto which it is mounted.

22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21, in which the remote controller includes an electrical lead for electrically connecting a controller unit remotely to the electrical rotary motor.

23. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 22, which includes at least one fluid conduit connected to the at least one fluid outlet aperture in fluid communication with the interior space of the fluid containment housing, for conveying fluids from the interior space to a fluid collection container.

24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 23, which includes a filter installed across the fluid outlet aperture, for removing harmful components from fluids passing through the fluid outlet opening, and wherein the filter includes a carbon-filter element.

25. A method for relieving excess pressure from a container having a closure member, which method includes: mounting a fluid containment housing defining an interior space having an open mouth securely over the closure member onto the container; and controlling an actuator within the interior space that is operatively able to cooperate with the closure member, for controllably removing the closure member, so that pressurised fluid can be released from the container when the closure member is removed.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25, which includes sealing the mouth of the fluid containment housing against the container when it is placed over the closure member.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26, which includes releasing fluid from the fluid containment housing through at least one fluid outlet aperture defined by the fluid containment housing.

28. A method as claimed in claim 27, which includes clamping the fluid containment housing securely onto the container over the closure member.

29. A method as claimed in claim 28, which includes controlling the actuator remotely from the fluid container housing with a remote controller.

30. A method as claimed in claim 29, which includes attaching at least one fluid conduit to the at least one fluid outlet aperture in fluid communication with the interior space of the fluid containment housing, and draining fluid from the fluid containment housing through the conduit into a fluid collection container.

31. A method as claimed in claim 30, which includes filtering the fluid through a filtering element mounted across the fluid outlet aperture, for filtering harmful fluids passing through the fluid outlet opening.