Abstract: Soluble coffee products having a chunkier physical appearance more like that of granular roast and ground coffee products, lower apparent (bulk) densities compared to prior agglomerated spray dried instant coffee products and better solubility than prior freeze dried instant coffee products when added directly to hot water. These soluble coffee products are made by forming a relatively thin glassy coffee strip or sheet from a thermoplastic melt of soluble coffee solids, water, coffee aroma and flavor volatiles and optionally solubility enhancing components and then gradually applying vacuum conditions to this glassy strip or sheet over several cycles while heated to a pliable and deformable state such that the strip/sheet expands in a controlled manner from about 2 to about 10 times its initial thickness to provide a porous open-celled coffee matrix where the pores have a median pore size typically in the range of from about 3 to about 25 microns.

Abstract: Soluble coffee products having a chunkier physical appearance more like that of granular roast and ground coffee products, lower apparent (bulk) densities compared to prior agglomerated spray dried instant coffee products and better solubility than prior freeze dried instant coffee products when added directly to hot water. These soluble coffee products are made by forming a relatively thin glassy coffee strip or sheet from a thermoplastic melt of soluble coffee solids, water, coffee aroma and flavor volatiles and optionally solubility enhancing components and then gradually applying vacuum conditions to this glassy strip or sheet over several cycles while heated to a pliable and deformable state such that the strip/sheet expands in a controlled manner from about 2 to about 10 times its initial thickness to provide a porous open-celled coffee matrix where the pores have a median pore size typically in the range of from about 3 to about 25 microns.

Abstract: A method and device for sampling biological fluids during collection without opening the functionally closed collection system, thereby compromising the sterility of the collected fluid. A sample bag connected to a fluid line or collection reservoir is filled coincident with fluid collection, then hermetically sealed and physically separated from the collection system using a radio frequency tubing sealer. A vacuum tube collection device is attached to the sample bag to minimize exposure to the fluid during sample handling and processing.

Abstract: A dialysate flow control system is disclosed for an artificial kidney machine. The flow control system produces dialysate flow at negative pressure through the dialyzer and comprises a flow controller and first pump upstream of the dialyzer and a second pump downstream of the dialyzer. The negative pressure between the flow regulator and the first pump is utilized for deaeration and an air accumulator is disposed downstream of the first pump and provided with an air discharge path into the dialysate flow path downstream of the dialyzer. A negative pressure regulator automatically regulates the dialysate pressure in the dialyzer at a manually adjustable value and comprises regulator means responsive to the average value of negative pressure in the dialyzer to provide suction relief to the second pump as needed to maintain the selected pressure value.