FLOW APPARATUS

The present invention provides a flow apparatus (10) for a vessel storing fluid under pressure having a flow control valve (12) having a housing (14) and an outlet aperture (16) and further including a valve seat (18) and a sealing member (20) for sealing against said seat (18) such as to obturate said outlet (16), said apparatus further including an actuator (22) connected to said sealing member (20) for moving it between an open position of the valve in which it unobturates the outlet aperture (16) and a closed position in which it obturates said outlet, characterized by an electrical switch (24) for controlling the supply of electrical current to one or more electrical components (25) and wherein said switch is operably connected to said sealing member (20) to allow for the passage of current when said valve (12) is in a first position and to restrict the flow of current when said valve (12) is in a second position. Such an apparatus may be used to control the flow of gas from a gas bottle and to ensure that electricity is only supplied when needed, thus prolonging battery life and reducing maintenance.