Abstract: Fully automated apparatus and method for manufacturing compact disc holders having a central rotating table about which conveyor tables, rotary tables, placers and other devices align to interdigitate and load compact discs into disc bases, to mate disc bases containing CDs to packaging sleeves, to load booklets into the packaging sleeves, and to handle, glue, fold and otherwise form a package containing CDs and booklets or literature.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for bagging ice cubes produced by a plurality of cubers with only one bagger when the cubers are stacked side-by-side with the ice produced by each cuber falling into one of two hoppers. The ice is moved from each hopper alternately to the bagger. There each batch of ice cubes is dropped into a bag, the bag sealed, and moved to a storage bin positioned below the bagger. The bags have a short side and a long side with the long side having holes to allow the bags to be supported by horizontal parallel rods extending through the holes. A platen is moved against the short side of a plurality of bags hanging from a first set of parallel rods extending through the holes in the long side of the bags. The air pressure between the platen and the short side of the bag is reduced to cause ambient atmospheric pressure to hold the short side of the outside bag against the platen.

Abstract: A film transparency severed from a photographic film web is inserted into a slide mount to prepare a photographic slide. The present invention relates to an "in-plane" film pusher for inserting a severed film transparency into a slide mount. The apparatus includes a pusher assembly having a movable pusher support and a pusher with a front grooved surface designed to engage a trailing edge of the film transparency. The pusher is alternately supported by the movable pusher support between a retracted position below a film plane and an engaging position aligned with the film plane. In operation, the pusher is moved to the engaging position to engage the trailing edge of the film transparency and then is advanced with the movable pusher support toward the slide mount to push the film transparency into the slide mount.

Abstract: A package is provided for retaining at least one resilient surgical suture. The package includes a base member which is formed with an annular recessed portion and a circumjacent flexible flange portion. The package further includes an annular cover member which is mounted adjacent to the annular recessed portion of the base member to form a peripheral retaining channel into which a resilient surgical sutures may be loaded subsequent to the construction of the package. The package may also include needle park means.

Abstract: A wicket of bags are joined to a common header. Each of the bags has an open pocket formed on the front side. The bags are placed front side down on a support surface. The top most back of the wicket is turned over to expose the front side while being transferred to a sealing station. The sample is placed in the pocket, the pocket is sealed and the bag removed. The remaining bags of the wicket are filled with samples in a similar manner. These steps are accomplished without removing any of the bags from the common header.

Abstract: A system for the delivery, storage and disposal of medical supplies including a lidded receptacle for receiving the supplies and facilitating their delivery to a use site, such lidded container subsequently being employed in the collection and ultimate disposal of waste medical supplies. The preferred receptacle includes lid means that serves to temporarily close the receptacle when unused medical supplies are held within the receptacle, and that serves the further subsequent function of lockingly closing and sealing the receptacle when waste medical supplies are contained in the receptacle.

Abstract: A handling apparatus pulls a group of lightweight cargo carrying sleeves out of a container in which they have been transported onto a storage bed. The collapsed sleeves are individually supported in an upright orientation on the bed by fingers which can be selectively withdrawn from a sleeve when it is to be removed. An overhead crane has a carriage that translates across the sleeves on the storage bed and a sleeve loading and unloading apparatus that is positioned beside the bed. The carriage can also be raised and lowered. The carriage carries hooks which engage the sidewalls of the sleeves and can be moved toward and away from one another. After the hooks engage the sidewalls of a sleeve the carriage is raised to lift the sleeve out of the group. The carriage is then moved above the loading apparatus and the hooks are moved apart from one another to expand the sleeve. Finally, the carriage is lowered to place the expanded sleeve on the loading apparatus and the hooks are disengaged from its sidewalls.

Abstract: Packages (10) are assembled with sleeve type boxes having a receptacle portion (14) and a closure portion (24) in a process and apparatus which guide the packages between a fixed guide (52) and a movable guide (50) into a receptacle portion held in the jaws of a grasping device (66), after which the partially completed product is moved along a path (62) into engagement with a closure portion held at an angle to the path by a grasping and holding device (64) which rotates the closure portion into telescopic engagement with the receptacle portion as the two portions move along the path (62). A programmable robot (56) is used to pick up matched pairs of closure and receptacle portions, engage the closure portions with grasping and holding device (64) and engage the receptacle portions with grasping device (66); and, after insertion of a package, the matched pairs are reassembled.

Abstract: A method of and device for cutting off the upper portion of a closed container of plastics material for example, the device comprising above a vertically movable bottle support, three overlying clamps adapted to tightly conform to the neck of the bottle and a blade rotatably mounted between two clamps, the three clamps and the blade being made fast to concentric rotary shafts, respectively, each one operable by a link.

Abstract: Fully automated apparatus and method for manufacturing compact disc holders having a central rotating table about which conveyor tables, rotary tables, placers and other devices align to interdigitate and load compact discs into disc bases, to mate disc bases containing CDs to packaging sleeves, to load booklets into the packaging sleeves, and to handle, glue, fold and otherwise form a package containing CDs and booklets or literature.

Abstract: An improved means and method for shipping industrial sized quantities of hazardous concentrates which simplifies compliance with current environmental protection regulations. The method includes the steps of loading a collapsible shipping container with a collapsible bag which is partially filled with a liquid or particulate concentrate of a potentially hazardous material, collapsing the bag before inserting it into the shipping container. The container itself is then collapsed, sealed and shipped to the user. Upon arrival, the user erects the container, unfolds and fills the bag with a solvent such as water to fill the container and serve as a storage facility. The diluted or dissolved product is then drawn from the container as required until the container is empty. The user then collapses the bag and the container for return to the sender. As a result, no permanently installed storage facility need be cleaned.

Abstract: Two vacuum-type suction bells are movable towards and away from a bag for opening the bag. When open, a feed pipe is inserted into the bag for filling the bag with fluid. Sealing elements move toward the bag for sealing the same about the feed pipe. The sealing elements have a recess into which is received the suction bells as the sealing elements abut the feed pipe. The suction bells may move relative to the sealing elements.

Abstract: A machine and method for loading bags of a preformed web of side interconencted bags. The top of a bag web is slit open and then fed between a pair of belt conveyors. The tops of the bags projecting over the conveyors belts are folded down over them and then gripped by a second pair of conveyor belts. At a load station the belts are spread to open bags sequentially and one at a time for loading. After loading a bag is separated from the web and fed through a sealing section comprising two pairs of hot air cartridges which are movable such that they do not emit hot air into the path of bag travel when it is undesirable to do so and a pair of crimp rollers.

Abstract: A packaging and conveying system for packaging a bundle of cigarettes or other smoking articles into a pre-formed pack. The system includes conveying means for conveying closed empty packs to a turret wheel having a plurality of slots wherein each slot is sized to receive an empty closed pack. Means are provided to remove the packs from the turret wheel at preselected locations in alignment with means to open the pack. The open packs are then conveyed to a bundle inserting station wherein a bundle of cigarettes are inserted into the packs. From the bundle inserting station, the packs are conveyed to a package closure means and then conveyed away to storage or further packing for shipment.

Abstract: A novel carrier for darts and dart parts. Each carrier comprises storage for a plurality of darts plus compartments for safely storing replacement feathers, tips, and weights. Protection is provided for both the user and each dart as darts are stored tip first into a blind bore in the carrier. Compression springs in the blind end of the bore provide, first, protection for the tip and, second, controlled ejection force whereby each dart is partially ejected when a holding cover is removed such that darts can be removed from the carrier without damage to feathers at the rear of each dart. Grooves and recesses are provided to protect each dart feather while in the carrier. The carrier comprises storage compartments whereby dart parts are stored separately to minimize damage to fragile parts, such as the feathers. Part and dart containing covers are easily emplaced and provide containment surfaces whereby the contents of the carrier are stored and transported without fear of damage or loss.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for packing gusseted open-mouth bags with a fluent solid product wherein the bags are opened and filled with an initial quantity of product weighing less than the target weight, the top is reformed and the bag transported under control to a position for being topped off with the product, opened up in the latter position for being topped off, the top again being reformed and the bag transported under control to a bag closer.

Abstract: A machine for automatically filling plastic bags with liquid or particulate material moves a continuous web of such bags through a number of serially positioned work stations. The bags are completely sealed when they enter the machine. As each bag passes through a slitting work station, a specially shaped opening is cut into the bag near an end of it which will become its top. When the bag proceeds to a filling work station, it is held vertically and a specially shaped fill nozzle is moved downward and rotated for entry into the bag through the slit opening. A valve is provided within the fill nozzle for controlling entry of the material into the bag. The valve and fill nozzle are cooperatively controlled by a single mechanism. The bags are transported through the various work stations by a positive toothed belt drive that preferably holds the bags flat until the filling station, wherein the belts are then moveable toward and away from each other in order to allow filling of the bag.

Abstract: A flexible apparatus and method are disclosed for erecting cases and packaging a series of objects (26) which may be delivered in random order on an infeed conveyor (28), including a source (40,42) of a plurality of types of cases for such objects; a controller (48) for storing and providing information on the order of such objects; a station (32) for locating such cases for insertion of such objects; a programmable robot (34), responsive to such information, the robot having an end effector with a multiple purpose tool for selecting the type of case appropriate for a particular object in the series, for erecting the case and for placing the objects into the case; and a station (46) for closing and sealing the packed case.

Abstract: Containers of the type having a rigid outer casing 4 accommodating an inner liner 2 are disposed of by removing the outer casing 4, expelling air remaining in the liner 2, and placing the liner 2 in a waste receptacle 10. The casing 4 is disposed of separately. When full, the waste receptacle 10 is disposed of in its entirety by means appropriate to the nature of the former contents of the containers. For example, disposal of the receptacle 10 may be undertaken by specialist contractors. This relieves the users of the containers (which may formerly contain herbicide) from the responsibility of disposing of them safely.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture, filling and sealing of bags starting with a flat web of tubular foil preferably provided with side folds of thermoplastic synthetic resin in the case of which the respectively leading end of the tubular foil web is provided with a transverse weld seam and then a section in the form of an open bag is severed from the tubular foil web and wherein the bag is then filled and the open end of the bag is drawn taut and closed by means of a transverse weld.

Abstract: A method of making a sealed tennis ball container, and the container so sealed. The container is first inserted into a cylindrical canister, resting the shoulder of the container on the upper rim of the canister. After tennis balls are placed into the container, a disk having heat sealable polymer membrane material is placed on the container shoulder. An induction heat/sonic transducer head is clamped to the container shoulder under pressure, pressing the seal against the container shoulder. The sonic transducer is then energized to molecularly bond the disk to the container shoulder, to thereby seal the container from the passage of air, with the tennis balls inside. A heated probe is then melted through the wall of the container to thereby make an opening in the wall. A gas is injected into the container through the probe while still inserted in the container, to a level of pressure substantially above the final desired pressure.

Abstract: An automatic capsule filling apparatus includes a body holding ring and a superposed cap holding ring mounted on a ring carrier. The body holding ring includes rows of body cavities for holding a body portion of a capsule. A vacuum line is connected to an orifice in the bottom of each body cavity for retaining capsule body portions. The cap holding ring is superposed thereover and has corresponding cap cavities for receiving preassembled capsules. The cap holding ring includes a lip for engaging the cap portion when the cap holding ring is lifted from the vacuum-retained body holding ring, thereby removing the cap. The preassembled capsules are properly oriented and inserted into the rings row-by-row by a capsule rectifier. Once the rings are filled with capsules, the body holding ring vacuum is utilized to retain the capsule body portions, and the cap holding ring is lifted from the body holding ring to remove the caps from all of the preassembled empty capsules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for sealing pallets of fresh produce inside plastic bags and furnishing the interiors of the sealed bags with a modified gaseous atmosphere. Conventional pallets loaded with cooled fresh produce are moved by an input conveyor automatically one at a time to an in-line squeeze station. The produce load of a pallet positioned at the squeeze station is squeezed between opposed vertical walls to suspend it above the pallet base as a downwardly movable floorplate descends to allow the base to the removed and replaced with a pallet having a plastic sheet lining attached thereto. The floorplate is raised to its former level to bear the weight of the loaded pallet as the pallet is unsqueezed and the loaded pallet is moved by conveyor to a bagging station. A plastic bag at a convenient height is initially draped over an arm radiating from a novel bagger frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for unclosing and enclosing the flaps of a package carton, so that cartons can be transported along the transportation path without shifting backward or shifting away from the transportation path.

Abstract: A side loading machine is capable of very rapid loading of complements of articles into open side cartons. Carton blanks are unfolded at an unfolding station and advanced to a loading station along a carton path. At the loading station, pusher bars are indexed in closed paths located perpendicular to and on both sides of the carton path. The pusher bars are indexed to push the complements from article waiting stations into the carton. New articles are fed to the article waiting stations between consecutive pusher bars. A split platform cooperates with a pusher bar to guide the articles into each article waiting station. Oscillating fingers and paddles positively control the locations of the carton flaps prior and subsequent to loading the complements into the cartons.

Abstract: In the roller bottle filling and harvesting system of the present invention, a decapper, a medium harvesting and cleaning apparatus, a medium filling apparatus and a capper are all located in an aseptic chamber, in this order along a supply conveyor. Roller bottles at the medium harvesting and cleaning apparatus have their pitch aligned and a plural number of roller bottles are tilted from the upright position, through a predetermined angle and the used medium in the roller bottles is withdrawn, the bottles returned to the upright position and then filled with cleaning liquid by a roller bottle inner surface cleaning apparatus. Then, the roller bottles are sent to a roller bottle roll and tilt apparatus which tilts the roller bottles to a predetermined angle and rotates and cleans the roller bottles and then sends them to an adjacent supply conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods for inserting objects into balloons. The apparatus preferably includes a housing having a balloon chamber and a vacuum pump chamber therein. The balloon chamber is large enough to accommodate an inflated balloon and has a lid through which the inflated balloon can pass. The vacuum pump chamber houses a vacuum pump which is in gaseous communication with the balloon chamber in order to create a vacuum therein. The lid includes an adjustable mechanism for first expanding and then maintaining a balloon orifice in an expanded condition to enable access to the interior of the balloon in a position in which the balloon extends downwardly from the lid to a position inside the balloon chamber. The vacuum pump may then be actuated to cause the balloon to inflate within the balloon chamber so that the desired object may be inserted through an access opening in the lid to the inside of the balloon.

Abstract: Radioactive waste is loaded from a cell 10 into a drum 16 by sealing the drum about a port 12 in the cell, attaching the drum lid to the port door by clamp jaws 30 engaging a boss 76, withdrawing the port door and drum lid 69 into the cell in back-to-back fashion, loading the drum and replacing the lid. The lid has an annular lip 72, and the lid is deformable from a first state in which the lip engages the underside of the drum rim 65 and the lid engages the outer surface of the rim, and a second state in which the lip is free from engagement with the rim, thereby allowing removal of the lid.The jaws are moved into clamping engagement by initial movement of the jaws relative to the door.

Abstract: A method of constraining a product while packaging and an apparatus to carry out the method. The product is positioned in a constraint cage having constraining fingers or plates on all four sides of the product in a first position. The constraint cage is then moved from the first position to a second position where packaging is performed by lowering a case over the product while the product is continuously constrained by either the cage or the case or both. Thereafter, the case is conveyed with the enclosed product while closing the major and minor flaps of the case.

Abstract: A machine and method for loading bags of a preformed web of side interconnected bags. The top of a bag web is slit open and then fed between a pair of belt conveyors. The tops of the bags projecting over the conveyors belts are folded down over them and then gripped by a second pair of conveyor belts. At a load station the belts are spread to open bags sequentially and one at a time for loading. After loading a bag is separated from the web and fed through a sealing section.

Abstract: A business forms mailer construction comprising an upper panel, at least one intermediate panel, and a lower panel; the upper panel is adhesively secured to the at least one intermediate panel, and the at least one intermediate panel is adhesively secured to the lower panel by glue lines, one of which extends along one side of the intermediate and lower panels. Also provided are a pair of slitter guide marks applied to one of the upper and lower panels, on either side of the glue line, so that by alignment of a slitting mechanism with the inner of the pair of guide marks, the mailer may be opened along one side for the insertion of one or more additional sheets. Alignment with the outer of the guide marks results in removal of a marginal portion of the mailer, but with the latter remaining sealed.

Abstract: A method for separating a pair of plastic bags, connected together at a transversely disposed parting line, comprises the steps of intermittently moving the pair of bags along a path disposed in a horizontal plane, stopping the bags and placing the parting line over an opening extending transversely relative to the path and positioned between a pair of platens, clamping the pair of bags to the platens and severing the parting line to separate the pair of bags from each other by moving a cutting blade in a horizontal direction and transversely through the opening.

Abstract: An aseptic system and filling head wherein the container is presterilized and has a rupturable membrane over the inlet which membrane is broken by the filling machine prior to filling. The membrane may be a laminate which is broken by pressure of the product with which the container is to be filled. In that case the outermost layer of the laminate is dissolved prior to the filling step to weaken the membrane. Alternatively the membrane may be pierced by a reciprocating tool which also functions as a valve member in the filling head or by a fixed blade arranged around the outlet nozzle of the filling head.

Abstract: Liquid under a given temperature and pressure is aseptically tranferred from a first space to a second space by introducing a gas having a condensation temperature which at the given pressure is higher than the temperature of the liquid, into the second space, permitting the gas to contact the liquid in the first space where it is condensed by contact with the liquid, the lowered pressure in the second space inducing liquid from the first space to flow into the second space.

Abstract: A method of filling a balloon with articles and air wherein a container having a removeable cover having an outlet pipe therein the latter is evacuated after the opening of a balloon is attached to said pipe within the container to thereby expand the balloon and permit articles to be placed therewithin through the pipe. A stopper is then placed in the pipe and the air pump shut off whereby the end of the balloon can be tied off.

Abstract: A package and method of packaging for powder and other fluent material wherein a first covering is provided over a receptacle and affords access to the receptacle interior, and a second covering is applied over the first covering to effectively seal the contents in the receptacle.

Abstract: A bag filling machine, adapted to fill a plastic bag with a liquid product through a gland secured to the bag, comprises a filling head including a fill tube having a piston reciprocally mounted therein for selectively filling the bag with the product. A replaceable nozzle is positioned at an outlet of the fill tube and is releasably attached thereto. An annular seal is secured on a distal end of the nozzle for engaging an annular bearing surface of the gland in sealing contact therewith. Thus, nozzles, having seals and flow passages of varied diameters, may be selectively attached to the fill tube to accommodate glands having varied diameters.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved package and packaging method for products that contain moisture. In the preferred embodiment, the product to be packaged is placed in a tray and the product and the tray are wrapped with a transparent film. The film is selectively affixed to at least a portion of the bottom of the tray using a heat-activated adhesive to form a leak-resistant package.

Abstract: A disposable container suitable for retaining liquids comprises two opposed container sections, each having a peripheral ring like flange about a recess with the flanges being sealed therebetween. The recesses of the opposed container sections define a common central cavity and the flanges include a throat opening into said cavity through which product within the cavity can be dispensed. The throat is at least partially defined by the opposed container flanges and each container section is of a thermoformable plastic material. These container sections are originally formed from flat strip packaging material having diecut side edges with the strip defining individual container body sections. A tapered neck portion of each body section accommodates dispensing of the contents and preferably a hot melt adhesive secures the opposed container sections.

Abstract: A system for seriatim filling and separating zipper-equipped bags supplied in a chain has a filling station in which each bag mouth is spread open to permit top filling, a closing station in which the zipper profiles of each filled bag are interlocked, and a separation station in which the filled bag is separated from the chain. A pincer action grasps each filled bag, draws the filled bag through the closing and separation stations, and releases the separated and filled bag for collection. The operation of the pincer serves to bring about indexing of the bags in the chain through the bag filling system. The result is an economical and reliable zipper equipped bag filling method and apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for vacuum-packaging material in a soft flat packaging bag. Packaging bags filled with a material are supported in a plurality of holders in advance in a place other than a plurality of vacuum chambers adapted to be intermittently rotated along a circular path. Such holders are successively fed to the vacuum chambers. While a vacuum chamber which has been fed with such holder is rotating along the circular path, this vacuum chamber is evacuated, the opening section of the packaging bag is sealed and then the vacuum chamber is opened to the surrounding atmosphere. And the packaging bag which has completed vacuum packaging is withdrawn from the vacuum chamber. Since the vacuum chamber is fed with a relatively large-sized holder rather than a soft flat bag which is difficult to handle, errors in feeding are avoiding.

Abstract: Apparatus provided with lateral cutters to effect lateral cuts at the upper and lower parts of a tape applied on to the flaps at both ends of a carton case. The cutters are installed on a mechanism for extending and retracting the cutters relative to the end face corners at both ends of the case. A cylinder is also provided for pushing and receiving cartons to prevent superposed cartons from tumbling as they are withdrawn from the case.

Abstract: A flexible collapsible container is filled with fluid by connecting a fluid conduit to a tubular port which communicates through one of the walls of the container to the container interior, and rupturing a sealing diaphragm that closes the bore of the tubular port. One then passes fluid through the conduit to fill the container. Thereafter, one seals either or both the tubular port and plastic wall which carries it to the other, opposed plastic wall of the container with seal line means to close off flow communication between the bore of the tubular port and a major portion of the container interior which contains the fluid. The effect of this is to block flow communication between the bore and the fluid so that the contents of the container remain sealed on disengagement of the fluid conduit from the tubular port.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for erecting and closing a folding carton made from a one-piece board blank consisting of base, side and top panels connected by folding lines. The board blank is transported with its base panel (5) facing downwards through a device in which the side and top panels (7,9) are folded upwards and on top of each other. A fixed tongue (12) which is fastened at one end from above and is located inside the sleeve-shaped folding carton once the top panels have been folded into position, is provided to support the top panels (9). The transport unit has supports (14) which move with it, engage the underneath of the tongue and give it support against downward pressure.

Abstract: A bulk filling station, for dispensing containers filled with a predetermined quantity of a bulk liquid, stores the plastic containers in an empty condition, having hinged closures installed thereon. The operation of filling the containers, individually, is carried out by the subject apparatus, including the steps of feeding and selecting an individual container, positioning the container, opening the closure thereon, filling the container with a predetermined quantity from a bulk supply, closing the container and delivering it to the vending station. The preferred closure incorporates a child-resistant safety lid to permit the dispensing of noxious substances.

Abstract: A method and device for opening and closing vials includes a rack for supporting a plurality of vials, a first arrangement for sequentially lifting a cap from each of the supported vials, an upwardly sloping bar for raising each cap from its respective vial, a downwardly sloping bar for lowering each cap onto its respective vial, and a second arrangement for closing each cap onto its respective vial.

Abstract: A rotary packaging machine advances carton sleeves stepwise through a series of stations at which various operations are performed in relation to the sleeves. At certain earlier ones of the stations operations are performed upon the bottoms of the sleeves at a desired common level. At certain later ones of the stations operations are performed upon the tops of the sleeves at a higher desired common level. At one station intermediate the earlier ones and later ones, the sleeves are lowered by an amount dependent upon their heights, so as to bring their tops to that higher desired common level.

Abstract: A method and system for aseptic filling of containers. The flexible containers (1) are presterilized and a rupturable membrane (41) covers the inlet to the container. The filling head (20) includes a recess (46) below the outlet valve (24) and this recess is closed by the rupturable membrane (41) when the container inlet is aligned with the filling head. After alignment sterilizing fluid is introduced into the recess to sterilize the outer surface of the membrane and the internal surfaces of the recess. Following sterilization the valve membrane (22) moves towards the rupturable membrane (41) allowing the piercing tool (25) to rupture said membrane. The outlet valve (24) of the filling head is opened and the liquid is allowed to flow into the container. Subsequent to completion of the filling cycle the inlet to the container is sealed and the sealed and filled container (1) is then removed from the filling head (20).

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a bag chain to fill individual reclosable bags therealog with the chain having spaced rocket openings along the top including a sprocket for interengaging with the openings to draw the chain forwardly and to vertically support the chain, bag top spreader members including idler sprockets interengageable with the chain holes to vertically support the chain with pads opposite the idler sprockets to pull the bag tops open, means for controlling the distance the bag top is opened, and a common drive for pulling the bag chain forwardly and operating the bag opening means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the delivery of replacement units, particularly suited for the delivery of replacement electronic components such as Programmable Read-Only Memories (PROM's) mounted on printed circuit boards. The apparatus includes a box-like housing divided into upper and lower regions by a partition. U-shaped track guides containing flexible linkages are fixed to the inner walls of the housing and extend between the upper and lower regions. Each region is accessible through a door which when closed may only be opened by from inside the housing. To deliver a replacement unit the replacement unit is inserted into the track guides in the lower region and the lower door is closed. The housing is then wrapped, with the upper door open, with shrinkable plastic, or other suitable material. A customer's address and any necessary mailing permits are fixed to the wrapping and the whole is mailed to the customer.