Abstract: An automated system for sorting articles, such as medical instruments, by a selected sort criteria. In one embodiment of the present invention, medical instruments are sorted in accordance with an instrument set list for assembling a medical instrument set. The present invention minimizes or eliminates the amount of manual labor needed to sort instruments, minimizes human contact with the instruments, speeds the sorting process, and reduces sorting errors.

Abstract: A refrigeration system of the type having a refrigeration cycle wherein a refrigerant undergoes compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation stages. The refrigeration system comprises an energy-storage stage in parallel to the evaporation stage between the expansion stage and the compression stage. The energy-storage stage has a container in which a medium is disposed in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant such that the refrigerant absorbs heat from the medium. The medium is used in heat exchange thereafter to cause condensation of an air-conditioning refrigerant.