Abstract: An apparatus for presenting each of a first face and a second face of a document to a processing element to facilitate processing of the document thereby. The apparatus includes a first transport subassembly for moving the document along a first document path to present the first face of the document to the processing element. The apparatus also includes a gate adapted to permit movement of the document from the first document path to the second document path. In addition, the apparatus has a second transport subassembly for moving the document in the second document path in a reverse direction until the document engages a downstream side of the gate. The gate directs the document, upon engagement thereof with the downstream side, into the first document path with the second face of the document positioned for presentation to the processing element.

Abstract: A sterilizer for medical instruments is compact and designed to be placed on a table top. The sterilizer provides includes a cavity for receiving a cassette holding the instruments to be sterilized. A stream circuit provides steam to the cassette for sterilization, and the time required for sterilization is reduced by withdrawing air from the cassette by application of a vacuum. The cavity is evacuated at the same time as the cassette to prevent application of high stresses to the cassette during the vacuum-assisted withdrawal of air. The time for sterilization is further reduced by use of dual heat exchangers to reduce the volume removed from the cassette.

Abstract: An apparatus for presenting each of a first face and a second face of a document to a processing element to facilitate processing of the document thereby. The apparatus includes a first transport subassembly for moving the document along a first document path to present the first face of the document to the processing element. The apparatus also includes a gate adapted to permit movement of the document from the first document path to the second document path. In addition, the apparatus has a second transport subassembly for moving the document in the second document path in a reverse direction until the document engages a downstream side of the gate. The gate directs the document, upon engagement thereof with the downstream side, into the first document path with the second face of the document positioned for presentation to the processing element.