An apparatus for processing medical instruments includes an enclosure having an entrance door and an exit door. The enclosure is arranged so that a cassette containing dirty instruments is deposited into the enclosure through the entrance door, the dirty instruments are cleaned, sterilized, and packaged inside the enclosure, and the clean, sterilized, packaged instruments are removed from the enclosure through the exit door. The enclosure includes a plurality of stations therein, such as a jet washing and drying station, a packaging station, and an autoclave station. Each station has sidewalls and a bottom surface, and includes at least one slot that is sized and shaped to hold only one cassette. Each slot in each station has a wire frame so that the cassette, when positioned in the slot, does not contact the sidewalls or bottom surface of the station. A robotic arm automatically moves the instrument cassettes between stations.

The invention concerns a bread slicer with an input compartment (1) for a loaf of bread (2) and a set of blades (5) designed for cutting a loaf of bread (2) and cooperating with a push block (7) which enables the loaf (2) to be pushed through the set of blades (5) to an output table (8). The invention is characterized in that the output table (8) has a bag holder for keeping open a packing bag (10) with the opening (11) facing the set of blades (5), the push block (7) being arranged to push at least a part of the sliced loaf (2) so as to introduce it at least partially in the packing bag (10).

A method of assisting in refilling a container (11) with liquid, the container comprising a flexible pouch that is refillable with liquid, outer packaging (15) for the pouch, and a valve (16) for opening/closing the pouch, said pouch being a compressible pouch that can be shrunk inside the outer packaging (15) under the action of pressure exerted on the outside surface of the pouch, and said valve (16) comprising a valve body (17) provided with an orifice (18) and a shutter for the orifice (18) mounted to move inside the valve body (17) between an open position and a closed position for the orifice (18) so as to enable the pouch to be emptied when the pouch is in the compressed state and the orifice (18) of the valve (16) is open.

In order to refill the pouch subsequently with liquid, said method comprises a step of opening the orifice (18) of the valve (16), and a step of inflating the pouch by blowing gas into the inside of the pouch via the orifice (18) of the valve (16) in the open position.

A flexible structure inflation device, comprising an inflation assembly configured for insertion between first and second overlapping film layers of a web of material, the inflation assembly having a fluid conduit configured directing a fluid in between the layers to inflate the web; and a cutting member held magnetically in an operative position adjacent the inflation assembly to cut the film passing over the inflation assembly.

A flexible structure inflation device, comprising an inflation assembly configured for insertion between first and second overlapping film layers of a web of material, the inflation assembly having a fluid conduit configured directing a fluid in between the layers to inflate the web; and a cutting member held magnetically in an operative position adjacent the inflation assembly to cut the film passing over the inflation assembly.

A facility for the automated opening of a carrier and for the provision of the carrier in loading and transport aids, the facility including a carrier feed appliance for feeding flatly closed carrier to a holder of a first conveying appliance, and a first conveying appliance for conveying the flatly closed carrier, which are held the holder, to a carrier opening appliance. The carrier opening appliance opens the flatly closed carrier. A merging appliance brings the carrier into the loading and transport aids. A second conveying appliance transports away the loading and transport aids with the opened carriers, which are arranged in the loading and transport aids.

A facility for the automated opening of a carrier and for the provision of the carrier in loading and transport aids, the facility including a carrier feed appliance for feeding flatly closed carrier to a holder of a first conveying appliance, and a first conveying appliance for conveying the flatly closed carrier, which are held the holder, to a carrier opening appliance. The carrier opening appliance opens the flatly closed carrier. A merging appliance brings the carrier into the loading and transport aids. A second conveying appliance transports away the loading and transport aids with the opened carriers, which are arranged in the loading and transport aids.

The invention relates to a nozzle for inflating a spout film bag, the lateral surface of which nozzle is designed in such a way that the nozzle can be inserted at least partially into the spout of the spout film bag and also at least partially into the interior of the spout film bag, wherein the lateral surface of the part of the nozzle that can be inserted has a bulging design. The invention further relates to a method for inflating a spout film bag by using said nozzle, comprising the following steps: providing the nozzle; inserting the nozzle into the spout of the spout film bag and lowering the nozzle in the spout to a first position; after the first position has been reached, wherein the lateral surface of the inserted nozzle interacts with the internal form of the spout in such a way that the interior of the spout film bag is substantially sealed, introducing flushing or inflating air into the interior of the spout film bag by means of the nozzle.

The invention relates to a nozzle for inflating a spout film bag, the lateral surface of which nozzle is designed in such a way that the nozzle can be inserted at least partially into the spout of the spout film bag and also at least partially into the interior of the spout film bag, wherein the lateral surface of the part of the nozzle that can be inserted has a bulging design. The invention further relates to a method for inflating a spout film bag by using said nozzle, comprising the following steps: providing the nozzle; inserting the nozzle into the spout of the spout film bag and lowering the nozzle in the spout to a first position; after the first position has been reached, wherein the lateral surface of the inserted nozzle interacts with the internal form of the spout in such a way that the interior of the spout film bag is substantially sealed, introducing flushing or inflating air into the interior of the spout film bag by means of the nozzle.

A filling and sealing machine configured for a flexible pouch having a turret, a servomotor, and a control unit is provided. The control unit includes a memory component having logic module stored within, a processor, and a user interface. The servomotor is connected to the turret and upon an instruction from the processor, rotates the turret. The set speed of the turret, the acceleration of the turret, and the deceleration of the turret may be modified by manual control parameters. The logic module includes preset recipe programs based upon the product being dispensed. Each preset recipe includes a different parameter for the servomotor to rotate the turret. The control unit may monitor the production system status and automatically adjust the speed, acceleration and/or deceleration of the turret to meet a desired production output.