Abstract: A gas generator for air bags having a container holding a combustible gas mixture and fitted with a closure which opens into a combustion chamber fitted with a gas outlet in which the gas mixture is ignited by an ignition device. To provide a fast-reacting ignition device and generate a controllable flow of pressurized gas at a relatively low temperature, the container is mainly filled with a pressurized inert gas and contains 0.1 to 2.0% vol. of a hydrocarbon and 0.5 to 10% vol. of a gaseous oxidizing agent. On being actuated, the ignition device opens the container closure, ignites the gas mixture flowing into the combustion chamber and maintains combustion by the continuous supply of energy.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device permitting the flow of pressurized gas into a safety device, for example an air bag or a belt tightener, with a pressurized container for compressible gas with at least one opening, that is sealed with a gas-tight film covering, where the film covering is supported evenly, over at least a large part of its free surface, by a support device that can be destroyed or retracted in a targeted manner after triggering. To ensure that the gas-tight film covering is forcibly opened after the triggering of the device, a piece is provided that pierces or penetrates the film immediately after the triggering of the device, but before the support device moves.