A device for supporting a rupturable closure member of a pressure vessel,
such as an airbag inflator has a hollow support with a tapered portion
and an adjoining cylindrical portion. An exterior surface of the tapered
portion has longitudinally extending grooves therein. An igniter is
located adjacent the cylindrical portion of the support and a pyrotechnic
substance is located in the cylindrical portion of the support between
the igniter and the tapered portion of the support. A rupturable closure
member being forced against an open first end of the tapered portion of
the support by the gas in the pressure vessel such that a chamber is
formed within the support. The igniter when activated ignites the
pyrotechnic substance and the burning pyrotechnic substance generates gas
under pressure that causes the tapered portion of the support to break
along the longitudinally extending grooves and no longer support the
rupturable closure member allowing the gas in the pressure vessel to
rupture the unsupported rupturable closure member.