Improvements to a portable fire extinguisher are disclosed. The improvements allow for frequent and simplified inspection and maintenance of a fire extinguisher with minimal training and without need for custom equipment. The improvements include an anti-bridging mechanism that can be articulated from the exterior of the chamber to fluff, mix or stir the powder within the chamber to keep it in a liquefied state. Additional improvements include a larger opening to more quickly fill and inspect the powder within the chamber. Another improvement includes the use of a CO.sub.2 cartridge located external to the chamber to allow easier servicing or replacement of just the CO.sub.2 cartridge as well as the ability to maintain the chamber in an un-pressurized condition, allows for non-HASMAT shipping. These features will extend the service intervals while maintaining the fire extinguisher in a ready condition.

Improvements to a portable fire extinguisher are disclosed. The improvements allow for frequent and simplified inspection and maintenance of a fire extinguisher with minimal training and without need for custom equipment. The improvements include an anti-bridging mechanism that can be articulated from the exterior of the chamber to fluff, mix or stir the powder within the chamber to keep it in a liquefied state. Additional improvements include a larger opening to more quickly fill and inspect the powder within the chamber. Another improvement includes the use of a CO.sub.2 cartridge located external to the chamber to allow easier servicing or replacement of just the CO.sub.2 cartridge as well as the ability to maintain the chamber in an un-pressurized condition, allows for non-HASMAT shipping. These features will extend the service intervals while maintaining the fire extinguisher in a ready condition.

A rupture disc valve device as provided herein is configured to selectively release a pressurized material. In some embodiments, the rupture disc has a burst pressure rating less than a pressure of the pressurized material. The valve device selectively braces the rupture disc until release of the pressurized material is desired. To release the pressurized material, the valve device is configured to remove or adjust the bracing support to the rupture disc, allowing the pressurized material to burst the rupture disc.

Fire extinguishing device (100). The invention is characterised in that the fire extinguishing device comprises a flask engagement means (110), arranged to engage with a flask (10) for compressed carbon dioxide and to hold the fire extinguishing device in an operating orientation in relation to such a flask; an actuating means (120), arranged to apply a pressure on a valve (13) of said flask when in said operating orientation so that the valve as a result of said pressure opens and carbon dioxide flows out from the flask, which actuating means in turn comprises a lever means (121) for transferring a force applied by a user within said actuating means (120) for applying said pressure; and a carbon dioxide directing means (130), arranged to direct a jet (20) of carbon dioxide flowing out from the flask when said valve is open.

Fire extinguishing device (100). The invention is characterised in that the fire extinguishing device comprises a flask engagement means (110), arranged to engage with a flask (10) for compressed carbon dioxide and to hold the fire extinguishing device in an operating orientation in relation to such a flask; an actuating means (120), arranged to apply a pressure on a valve (13) of said flask when in said operating orientation so that the valve as a result of said pressure opens and carbon dioxide flows out from the flask, which actuating means in turn comprises a lever means (121) for transferring a force applied by a user within said actuating means (120) for applying said pressure; and a carbon dioxide directing means (130), arranged to direct a jet (20) of carbon dioxide flowing out from the flask when said valve is open.

A valve body (5) for a cartridge-operated fire extinguisher includes a first socket (51) configured to have an end of a cartridge (11) filled with propellant installed therein; and a latch (57) movable relative to the first socket (51) between a first position and a second position; in the first position the latch (57) is configured to permit an end of a cartridge (11) filled with propellant to be installed within and removed from the first socket (51); and in the second position the latch (57) is configured to engage with an end of a cartridge (11) installed within the first socket (51) to thereby lock and retain the end of the cartridge (11) within the first socket (51).

A valve body (5) for a cartridge-operated fire extinguisher includes a first socket (51) configured to have an end of a cartridge (11) filled with propellant installed therein; and a latch (57) movable relative to the first socket (51) between a first position and a second position; in the first position the latch (57) is configured to permit an end of a cartridge (11) filled with propellant to be installed within and removed from the first socket (51); and in the second position the latch (57) is configured to engage with an end of a cartridge (11) installed within the first socket (51) to thereby lock and retain the end of the cartridge (11) within the first socket (51).

A cartridge-operated fire extinguisher 100 that includes a valve body 104 and a cylinder 102. The valve body (104) includes three fixing points 300, 302, 304 each including an aperture 300a, 302a, 304a with a fixing point axis A, B, C. The third fixing point axis C is oriented at an angle relative to the first fixing point axis A and the second fixing point axis B. The cylinder includes three bolts 210, 212, 214 for fixing the valve body to the cylinder. Each bolt includes a shaft 210a, 212a, 214a with a shaft axis X, Y, Z. The first shaft axis X and the second shaft axis Y are parallel, and the third shaft axis Z is oriented at an angle relative to the first shaft axis X and the second shaft axis Y.

A cartridge-operated fire extinguisher 100 that includes a valve body 104 and a cylinder 102. The valve body (104) includes three fixing points 300, 302, 304 each including an aperture 300a, 302a, 304a with a fixing point axis A, B, C. The third fixing point axis C is oriented at an angle relative to the first fixing point axis A and the second fixing point axis B. The cylinder includes three bolts 210, 212, 214 for fixing the valve body to the cylinder. Each bolt includes a shaft 210a, 212a, 214a with a shaft axis X, Y, Z. The first shaft axis X and the second shaft axis Y are parallel, and the third shaft axis Z is oriented at an angle relative to the first shaft axis X and the second shaft axis Y.