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.

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.

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.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus useful for filling non-liquid material into a container includes first and second front and rear grippers that are each non-manually laterally movable between at least first and second positions.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and methods useful for lifting a drum to enable the drum and its contents to be accurately weighed includes a drum weighing platform engageable with the drum, at least two guide rods. The guide rods are movable upwardly in unison to move the drum weighing platform vertically upwardly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for filling containers with liquid of the type having a tubular filling lance operatively connected to a source of liquid and being vertically moveable between raised positions above said containers and lowered positions, when coaxially aligned with a filling hole in one of said containers, extending through said filling hole into said container for filling thereof. The apparatus comprises a conveyor assembly on which two or more containers with randomly disposed filling holes may be moved to a filling station generally below the filling lance. A carriage assembly is provided by which the filling lance may be moved in X, Y, Z coordinates, first to a raised position coaxially aligned with a selected one of the container filling holes and then to a lowered position into a selected container.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for filling containers with liquid of the type having a tubular filling lance operatively connected to a source of liquid and being vertically moveable between raised positions above said containers and lowered positions, when coaxially aligned with a filling hole in one of said containers, extending through said filling hole into said container for filling thereof. The apparatus comprises a conveyor assembly on which two or more containers with randomly disposed filling holes may be moved to a filling station generally below the filling lance. A carriage assembly is provided by which the filling lance may be moved in X, Y, Z coordinates, first to a raised position coaxially aligned with a selected one of the container filling holes and then to a lowered position into a selected container.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling containers with liquid utilizing apparatus of the type having a tubular filling lance operatively connected to a source of liquid and being vertically movable between raised and lowered positions, raising and lowering of the lance being controlled so that the lower emission end of the lance is disposed just below the surface of liquid in the container as the container is being filled through the lance.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading drums onto pallets including a support frame having a first area where the drums are moved to predetermined loading positions and a second area where drums may be placed on pallets for further handling. The frame supports a carriage assembly which supports a lift assembly. The lift assembly is engageable with the drums in the predetermined loading positions to lift them for transfer to the second area by the carriage assembly where they are lowered by the lift assembly onto pallets for further handling.