Remote fill head with automatic drip tray

An automated fill head assembly for loading hazardous waste into containers, said fill head assembly comprising:

• a fill head for depositing hazardous waste materials into a container, wherein said fill head is movable between a filling position seated on the container, and a container exchange position withdrawn from the container;
• a control arm carried by said fill head directing movement of said fill head between said filling and exchange positions;
• and,
• a drip control unit carried on a support platform adjacent said fill head being operatively associated with said control arm for actuating movement of said control arm to move said fill head between said filling and exchange positions so that as said fill head is withdrawn from the container to said exchange position any dripping hazardous waste is captured.

A method for controlling drippings from a fill head for hazardous waste materials comprising the steps of:

• lowering said fill head into a filling position seated on a container for depositing hazardous waste materials into the container;
• loading hazardous waste materials into said container;
• providing a drip tray adjacent said fill head carrying a lifting arm for engaging said fill head;
• moving said drip tray towards said fill head to engage said lifting arm with a control arm carried on said fill head so that said lifting arm biases said control arm upwardly and raises said fill head from said filling position on said container to a container exchange position withdrawn from said container;
• and,
• extending said drip tray underneath said fill head as said lifting arm raises said fill head to said exchange position to retain any hazardous waste materials dripping from said fill head.