Abstract: Apparatus for engaging a cap releasably secured in a container includes a carrier that is selectively movable up and down relative to the container and carries a cap engagement tool and a centering collar. At least one among the cap engagement tool and centering collar is biased downwardly by at least two spaced-part biasing members during operations.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 3, 2021
Date of Patent:
October 10, 2023
Assignee:
Specialty Equipment Fabrication Company
Inventors:
Michael J. Seiver, Thomas P. Reichelt, Michael I Alshan, Jaime Iramategui
Abstract: Apparatus for installing a bung plug in and/or extracting a bung plug from a container positioned below the apparatus includes a carrier selectively movable up and down relative to the container, a bung plug engagement tool carried by the carrier and including a bung plug wrench and a centering collar carried by the carrier and at least partially surrounding the bung plug wrench.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 17, 2020
Date of Patent:
October 5, 2021
Assignee:
Specialty Equipment Fabrication Company
Inventors:
Michael J. Seiver, Thomas P. Reichelt, Michael I Alshan, Jaime Iramategui
Abstract: An automated drum manipulation system and methods include at least one among an automated drum rotator, bung locator, bung plug extractor and bung plug installer. The bung locator includes at least two spaced-apart bung location sensors and at least one downwardly-extending foot spaced outwardly relative to the sensors and configured to rest upon the drum's outer rim, positioning the sensors over the upper surface of the drum so they can concurrently detect the presence of opposing sides of the lip of the drum's bung opening as the drum is rotated below the bung locator.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 14, 2018
Date of Patent:
October 20, 2020
Assignee:
Specialty Equipment Fabrication Company
Inventors:
Michael J. Seiver, Louis E. Bruce, Thomas P. Reichelt, Michael I Alshan, Jaime Iramategui
Abstract: Apparatus for automatically handling and filling drums comprising a conveyor on which drums may be sequentially moved to an orienting station, a filling station and a capping and sealing station. The orienting station includes a rotating mechanism for rotating the drum so that a bunghole in the upper end thereof is properly oriented for subsequent filling. The filling station includes a tubular filling lance connected to a source of liquid and which may be lowered into the bunghole for filling the drum with liquid and then raised allowing the drum to be moved to the capping and sealing station.