Method and device for preparing a product from the contacting of directed intersecting streams of a divided solid and of a liquid

Abstract

The invention relates to a method comprising at least the steps of: - contacting at least one first directed stream of at least one divided solid exiting at least one first opening and at least one second directed stream of at least one liquid exiting at least one second opening, in at least one contact zone delimited by the volume corresponding to the one or more intersection zones of the at least one directed stream of at least one divided solid and the at least one directed stream of at least one liquid, the at least one directed stream of at least one divided solid and the at least one directed stream of at least one liquid being intersecting; - producing the product in the at least one contact zone, while the streams are in contact, by activating interactions and affinities, of a physical, physico-chemical and / or chemical nature, of the species brought into contact in the preceding step; - providing at least one directed stream of the outgoing product.

Description

Description Title: Method and device for the preparation of a product from the contacting of secant directed flows of divided solid and liquid

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for preparing a product from the contacting of secant directed flows of divided solid and liquid, a device for implementing the method, and a use of the device for implementing the method. Prior art

[0002] The invention is part of a context of reducing the environmental footprint of industrial and consumer activities.

[0003] According to the European Union, 80% of the environmental impacts of a product, device, or process are linked to decisions made at the design stage. Ecodesign therefore represents a major challenge for reducing the negative impacts of human production and consumption on the environment.

[0004] Industrial players are mobilizing in this direction to offer technological solutions that open up the field of eco-responsibility to everyday consumer practices.

[0005] They are supported and encouraged by public authorities. The AGEC law (Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy) has the major objective of reducing waste in all its forms, and focuses in particular on abandoning single-use plastic by 2040. The Climate and Resilience law will also impose a zone dedicated to bulk goods of approximately 20% of the surface area of ​​retail stores with a surface area exceeding 400m 2 , by January 2030.

[0006] Finally, government discussions on the creation of standardized reusable packaging and the green impact index, a tool for measuring the environmental and societal impact of cosmetic products proposed by the Pierre Fabre group from 2021, reinforce the importance of taking the environmental dimension into account in the development of new cosmetic products.

[0007] In the consumer goods sector, particularly in the areas of personal care, hygiene, parapharmaceuticals, and food, many liquid, pasty, or semi-solid products are packaged in individual containers such as bottles. For example, the proportion of water in a shower gel is approximately 80% by weight. Considerable energy is wasted unnecessarily transporting this water from the point of production to the distribution points. Add to this the negative environmental impact of the logistics and storage required to manage these large quantities of water.

[0008] Typically, bottled hygiene products are manufactured in factories from ingredients, some in powder form, others in liquid form with a large majority of water. On a technical level, the generic process consists of a sequence of dosages and incorporation of the different ingredients in stirring tanks, mixing under thermomechanical conditions until a homogeneous product is obtained, packaging, involving drawing off the tank, then dosing by machine before storage and transport to the point of sale. The tanks must be cleaned, thus involving additional water consumption. This process has many variations, depending on the nature of the ingredients, their number, their respective proportions and properties as well as the properties and texture of the product to be manufactured.

[0009] The bottled products thus manufactured and packaged are then transported by road, rail, air, sea or river, and stored in the factory, logistics relay or directly at the point of sale. Each bottle occupies an incompressible space during transport and storage, inducing direct and environmental costs associated with both the weight and the volume moved.

[0010] In addition, the production of factory-bottled products, which therefore have to be transported and stored in the factory, in a logistics relay or at a point of sale, requires the use of various additives to guarantee the physicochemical stability or the biochemical conservation of the product.

[0011] As an alternative to bottled products, some points of sale offer dispenser / dispenser systems that allow you to fill your container with product from a tank or carboy. The product in the container is therefore in the same physical state as the product in the tank, for example, liquid, solid particles, flakes, etc.

[0012] Dispensing these types of bulk products directly into tanks at the point of sale limits the number of containers and thus allows for the transport of a larger quantity of product. However, it is still necessary to add additives to ensure the physicochemical stability or biochemical preservation of the product. And this alternative does not solve the major problem of transporting and storing the large quantities of water contained in these products.

[0013] Another alternative to bottled products is that of so-called "resolubilizing" tablets or powders manufactured without or with a small addition of water from ingredients that are essentially powdered, measured and mixed according to the proportions of the formulation and compressed or not in presses to form tablets. To be used, the tablets or powders must be mixed with water, generally hot, then stirred; it is then generally necessary to wait several hours before the product acquires its final texture of viscous liquid (semi-liquid) or gelled (semi-solid). Without any energy input other than the temperature of the water, the rehydration of these tablets is slow; in addition, the final textures are often inhomogeneous.

[0014] More broadly, the preparation of finished or semi-finished products from divided solids and liquids or semi-liquids, both in consumer and industrial contexts, generally involves the use of various machines.

[0015] Everyday examples are machines such as the liquid beverage vending machine or the coffee percolator. The vending machine doses freeze-dried powders of milk, cocoa, coffee, etc., into a container, then injects water into the container to produce a liquid. The percolator injects a hot liquid (water) under pressure through immobile and more or less compressed divided solids in a container, generally a capsule, a pod or a metal filter, to also produce a liquid.

[0016] The use of "blenders" in the culinary field is common, in both domestic and professional catering, to prepare pastes from powders, water and other ingredients. This machine allows the homogenization of mixtures of powders, liquids, semi-liquids or pastes, by the motorized rotation of moving parts in contact with the materials in a tank. It is also used in the cosmetics field.

[0017] Machines intended to be installed at points of sale and allowing the preparation of products, in particular cosmetics, but also agri-food products, from various ingredients, are also known. For example, US 2014113048 discloses the instant preparation of food products by pouring a liquid into a container, then introducing dry solid food ingredients into the liquid and mixing the ingredients and the liquid with a mixing device to rehydrate the solid ingredients.

[0018] In the prior arts relating to point-of-sale preparation devices, the known methods involve in their great majority a pre-filling of the final container or an intermediate container, and of the other ingredients requiring the use of a mixing means, generally mechanical, in direct contact with the prepared product, requiring mixing and cleaning steps.

[0019] As an alternative to the use of direct contact mechanical mixing means, US 2008087352 describes the use of contactless mixing means by centrifugation directly in the final container. US7883264 describes the preparation and distribution of individual products by a device comprising static or microfluidic mixing means in particular.

[0020] In any case, the mixing step inevitably involves energy costs and an incompressible implementation time, as well as, in the case of contact mixing, the cleaning of the mixing device.

[0021] WO2008 / 071613 and WO2021 / 018667 describe methods for preparing a “foamed” beverage comprising dosing soluble powders into a mixing chamber, then using a pressurized water jet to cause agitation, dissolution of the powders in the water and foaming.

[0022] Among the industrial processes using divided solid and liquid or semi-liquid ingredients, in addition to the manufacturing process in a stirring tank, transport and dosage mentioned above for the preparation of bottled products, common in very diverse fields (cosmetics, food, pharmacy, inks, coatings, lubricants, paints, etc.), we find other industrial processes such as extrusion, 3D printing or wet granulation.

[0023] Extrusion, common for the manufacture of plastics, involves the transformation of divided solids such as polymer granules, called "compounds", poured into an extruder and simultaneously subjected to thermal action by heating devices of the elements of the extruder and a mechanical action of the worm screw causing the homogenization of the product and its movement under pressure to a die allowing the forming of the outgoing product.

[0024] 3D printing processes rely, upstream of the localized application of the product according to a geometric application pattern, on the supply of a product previously prepared in a mixer and presenting solidification properties - by chemical reaction and evaporation as for concrete or by crosslinking in the case of resins. For example, the BinderJetting process consists of injecting a resin onto a powder bed.

[0025] Finally, wet granulation consists of fluidizing one or more powders in an enclosure, i.e. suspending them in a gas, generally air, and injecting a liquid promoting interaction between the grains and causing an increase in the average size of the grains and possibly a modification of other physical and chemical properties (form factor, surface properties, roughness, etc.).

[0026] In practice, products resulting from formulation processes, often consisting of more than three ingredients up to more than twenty, cause affinities and interactions between multiple species, of various natures, not only in combination of the ingredients present but also because the products of certain interactions and affinities between certain species are likely in turn to present interactions and affinities with other species or with the product of other affinities. The sequential incorporation of ingredients, common in industrial processes, reinforces the occurrences of complex interactions of this nature.

[0027] Homogenization is a process of diffusion and dispersion of species and products of interactions and affinities within matter, which gradually constitutes itself as a product.

[0028] In the absence of mixing, as illustrated by the example of so-called "resolubilizing" tablets, the time required to form a gel is long and the products obtained often exhibit inhomogeneities, such as lumps, corresponding to areas in which the expected interactions and affinities between the components of the tablet formula for gel formation have not completely succeeded.

[0029] In many cases, the interactions and affinities between divided solids and liquids tend to give the product a higher apparent viscosity compared to the liquids and semi-liquids used for their preparation, thus making the diffusion and dispersion phenomena of the species and products of interaction and affinities more complex. Thus, achieving the activation of the desired interaction and affinity phenomena for the entire product constitutes a major industrial issue of product quality. Otherwise, inhomogeneities are observed which are most often incompatible with both current industrial practices and the expectations of customers and / or consumers.These issues are particularly marked in the case of interactions and affinities between the species present contributing to the emergence of structures at the mesoscopic scale and / or of liquids with high viscosities, involved in numerous manufacturing processes for products in semi-liquid, pasty, semi-solid or solid form.

[0030] Thus, the preparation of homogeneous products from divided and liquid solids requires in most cases, external energy inputs, most often via agitation / mixing, in particular by thermomechanical, aeraulic, hydrodynamic and / or thermal means, to promote, by setting in relative motion, the establishment of contact and the activation of the phenomena of interactions and affinities between the species present and their products of interaction and affinities, and to achieve homogeneous products with the targeted characteristics in a minimized time.

[0031] In the vast majority of industrial processes, the activation of interactions and affinities between species and the homogenization of the product are carried out concomitantly in "volume" processes, the materials present being set in motion by mechanical means and in various configurations having the common feature of forming a contact zone between the species delimited by the volume of an enclosure and its fixed walls. The supply of a given volume of finished or semi-finished product requires in most processes an additional drawing-off step.

[0032] In the tank agitation process, a motorized mechanical organ, of variable geometry, activates the circulation of species in the enclosure by physical contact both between the moving organ and the surrounding material and by contact between the material and the fixed walls of the enclosure. The ingredients being incorporated in certain zones (rather on the surface), the physical, physicochemical or chemical interactions and affinities between the species are thus activated according to the movements of material in the contact zone that constitutes the enclosure, just like the homogenization that occurs there progressively.

[0033] In the wet granulation process, a flow of pressurized gas diffused by the base of the enclosure over a section close to or equal to this section suspends (in turbulent conditions) and therefore randomly moves particles of the divided solid in the gas. The spraying of one or more liquid flows in the form of droplets into the enclosure allows the liquid to come into contact with the divided solid. The wet granulation process operates progressively by statistical multiplication, over the duration of application of the flows and thanks to the disordered movement of the particles in the enclosure, of the contacts between the particles of divided solid and the droplets.

[0034] In the presence of mixing by mechanical means, the energy input is likely to induce undesirable phenomena, such as undesirable foaming in the case of tablets "to be resolubilized". This constitutes another problem for the prior art in the preparation of finished or semi-finished products, particularly in semi-liquid, pasty, semi-solid or solid form: the difficulties of homogenization, particularly in formulated products, and the emergence of undesirable phenomena activated by the energy input necessary for the homogenization of the species.

[0035] For both industrial processes and devices accessible to the public, such a mixing step inevitably induces energy costs as well as an essential step of cleaning equipment in direct contact with the material and often a long preparation time to limit the appearance of undesirable phenomena.

[0036] In industrial processes, such problems are primarily performance and efficiency issues. Industrial practice involves fine-tuning empirically the choices and proportions of ingredients and process settings, requiring numerous trials and errors, generally necessary to determine the process settings, i.e. the compromise depending on the characteristics of the affinities between species (nature of affinities, types of structures generated, kinetics, associated energies), the energy input conditions (power, spatial and temporal distribution) and diffusion phenomena. On an environmental scale, these issues, again particularly marked and common in the preparation of semi-liquid, pasty and semi-solid products, and their solutions, present energy and therefore environmental costs.

[0037] In the consumer machines mentioned above, it can be seen that the dispenser / distributor does not perform any preparation of the finished product, being limited to providing a dose of a previously produced stored product. The automatic coffee and other flavored beverage dispenser operates from divided solids and liquid, but to produce finished products in essentially liquid form from affinities such as solubilization of freeze-dried powder or percolation of liquid through a compressed powder, causing no significant thickening or activation of interactions and / or affinity inducing the formation of self-organized internal structures.

[0038] Thus, the prior art of product preparation processes from divided solids and liquid faces systematic problems.

[0039] A first problem is to achieve macroscopic homogeneity of the products, in particular in the case of interactions and affinities causing semi-liquid, pasty, semi-solid or solid forms, that is to say to avoid inhomogeneities linked to incomplete activation of the desired interactions and affinities and undesirable phenomena linked to the activation of unwanted interactions and affinities between species present and with the environment.

[0040] A second problem is to prepare and supply a homogeneous product at the macroscopic level, in particular in semi-liquid, pasty, semi-solid or solid form, while limiting the input of external energy, and a fortiori without recourse to mechanical mixing means requiring cleaning of the product which sometimes has properties, in particular sticky or foaming properties, making said cleaning tedious.

[0041] A third problem is to prepare and supply a homogeneous product at the macroscopic level, particularly in semi-liquid, pasty, semi-solid or solid form without resorting to the sequence of disjoint unit operations of product preparation and then supply.

[0042] A fourth problem concerns more specifically consumer machines, and the possibility of promoting the on-demand manufacture of products in semi-liquid, pasty or semi-solid form from ingredients in the incoming solid, divided solid and liquid or semi-liquid forms without mixing means requiring systematic cleaning and thus limiting the possibilities of automation, ergonomics for the user and thus commercial development.

[0043] A fifth problem is common to all industries manufacturing products from divided solids and liquids: reducing the environmental footprint, from the sourcing of ingredients, the manufacturing of finished or semi-finished products to use by the end customer.

[0044] A sixth problem is to limit the use of preservatives and other additives intended to maintain the integrity of the finished or semi-finished product between the completion of its preparation, its supply and its final use or application.

[0045] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing and supplying a product from at least one divided solid and at least one liquid which solves the aforementioned problems. Summary

[0046] The invention proposes a technological solution contributing to the reduction of the environmental footprint of industrial and consumer activities thanks to a new process.

[0047] A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for preparing a product, the method comprising at least the steps of: Contacting at least one first directed flow of at least one divided solid exiting from at least one first orifice, and at least one second directed flow of at least one liquid exiting from at least one second orifice, in at least one contact zone, the at least one directed flow of at least one divided solid and the at least one directed flow of at least one liquid being intersecting, Production of the product in said at least one contact zone, during the duration of contacting the flows by activating physical, physicochemical and / or chemical interactions and affinities of the species brought into contact in the previous step, Providing at least one directed flow of the product exiting the at least one contact zone, said at least one contact zone being delimited by the volume corresponding to the zone(s) of intersection of the at least one directed flow of at least one divided solid and the at least one directed flow of at least one liquid.

[0048] Said method allows the preparation and supply on demand of a given quantity of product, without recourse to mechanical means for the homogenization of the product, by the activation of the desired interactions and affinities for the production of the product in a contact zone in which the directed incoming and outgoing flows pass and during their duration of application.

[0049] According to individual variants or according to all technically possible combinations:

[0050] - at least one contact zone is in a gaseous environment;

[0051] - the gaseous environment is at atmospheric pressure;

[0052] - the gaseous environment is static;

[0053] - the gaseous environment is air;

[0054] - the at least one orifice through which the at least one directed flow of the at least one divided solid is supplied has a minimum characteristic dimension less than or equal to 1000 times, preferably 500 times, more preferably 200 times, even more preferably 100 times the maximum equivalent diameter of the solid particles of the divided solid and greater than one time said maximum equivalent diameter;

[0055] - each orifice has a surface of circular, ellipsoidal, rectangular, square, trapezoidal, annular or any other geometry;

[0056] - the minimum characteristic dimension of the at least one contact zone is less than a thousand times, preferably five hundred times, preferably one hundred times, preferably fifty times, preferably thirty times, preferably ten times the maximum equivalent diameter of the particles of the at least one divided solid;

[0057] - the at least one contact zone has a volume between 1 mm 3 and 5 m 3 , preferably between 3 mm 3 and 1 m 3 , preferably between 5 mm 3 and 300 dm 3 , preferably between 5 mm 3 and 1 dm 3 , preferably between 5 mm 3 and 30 cm 3 , preferably between 10mm 3 and 10 cm 3 ;

[0058] - the at least one directed flow of the at least one liquid is supplied at a pressure of between 0.01 bar and 10 bar, preferably between 0.05 and 6 bar, preferably between 0.05 bar and 3 bar, more preferably still between 0.1 bar and 2 bar, more preferably still between 0.1 bar and 1 bar.

[0059] - the output product is supplied in liquid, semi-liquid, pasty, semi-solid or divided solid form;

[0060] - the at least one second flow has a speed at (just upstream) of the contact zone, between 0.01 m / s and 10 m / s, preferably between 0.01 m / s and 2 m / s, more preferably between 0.05 m / s and 1 m / s;

[0061] - said at least one contact zone is distant from the at least one first orifice by a first distance greater than or equal to preferably 5 millimeters, preferably 10 millimeters, more preferably 15 millimeters (minimum distance);

[0062] - said at least one contact zone is distant from the at least one second orifice by a second distance greater than or equal to preferably 5 millimeters, preferably 10 millimeters, more preferably 15 millimeters (minimum distance);

[0063] - the directed flow of outgoing product is in continuous phase (no disjointed drops);

[0064] - the at least one first orifice is continuously supplied with divided solid,

[0065] - the at least one first orifice has a horizontally oriented section,

[0066] - the at least one first directed flow comprises a first directed flow extending vertically, downwards;

[0067] - the at least one divided solid flows by gravity (the at least one first directed flow of at least one divided solid is not propelled by a pressurized gas) through the at least one first orifice to form the at least one first directed flow of divided solid;

[0068] - the at least one second directed flow comprises at least two second directed flows, said at least two second directed flows converging towards the (same) contact zone;

[0069] - the at least one first directed flow extends between said at least two second directed flows to the contact zone;

[0070] - the at least one first directed flow of at least one divided solid forms a curtain having a plane of symmetry and said at least two second directed flows are arranged symmetrically with respect to said plane of symmetry;

[0071] - the at least one first flow of at least one divided solid has an axis of symmetry and the at least one second orifice comprises at least two second orifices (preferably three) through which said two second directed flows exit respectively, said first orifice and said two second orifices are arranged symmetrically around the axis of symmetry;

[0072] - the at least one first orifice and the at least one second orifice are arranged vertically substantially at the same level.

[0073] A second aspect of the invention relates to a device for implementing the method as described above, the device comprising: Means for storing and / or supplying said at least one divided solid and said at least one liquid, Means for dosing the at least one divided solid and / or the at least one liquid, At least one first outlet orifice for the at least one first directed flow of the at least one divided solid and at least one second orifice for supplying the at least one second directed flow of the at least one liquid, arranged so as to bring into contact the at least one first directed flow of at least one divided solid and the at least one second directed flow of at least one liquid so that they are intersecting in at least one contact zone, thus causing the activation of physical, physicochemical and / or chemical interaction and affinities of the species brought into contact in the at least one contact zone and the supply of at least one directed flow of product leaving the at least one contact zone, Means for controlling and / or commanding the at least one first directed flow of at least one divided solid and the at least one second directed flow of at least one liquid, Means of interfacing with a user.

[0074] Such a device offers many advantages, and allows the on-demand manufacturing of a given quantity of product, the possibility of use at home, at the point of sale or for the preparation of tailor-made products, with numerous customization options, and limits cleaning needs and associated energy consumption, thus reducing the environmental footprint of preparing a given quantity of product.

[0075] According to individual variants or according to all technically possible combinations:

[0076] - the device is devoid of a member for mixing the at least one divided solid with the at least one liquid;

[0077] - the device further comprises a means for guiding the flows downstream of the at least one contact zone;

[0078] - the device further comprises any means for collecting or gathering at least one directed flow of product leaving the at least one contact zone;

[0079] - each orifice is positioned in a nozzle, a spray nozzle, an injector, an open or closed pipeline,

[0080] - the device further comprises a device for continuously supplying the at least one first orifice with divided solid,

[0081] - the continuous feeding device comprises a worm screw;

[0082] - the at least one first orifice has a horizontally oriented section,

[0083] - the device is configured so that the at least one first directed flow comprises a first directed flow extending vertically, downwards;

[0084] - the device is configured so that the at least one divided solid flows by gravity through the at least one first orifice to form the at least one first directed flow of divided solid;

[0085] - the device is configured so that the at least one second directed flow comprises two second directed flows exiting from two second orifices, said at least one first orifice comprising a first orifice arranged between said two second orifices;

[0086] - said at least two second orifices are arranged symmetrically with respect to the at least one first orifice;

[0087] - the at least one first orifice and the at least one second orifice are arranged substantially at the same level in a vertical direction,

[0088] - each first orifice is preferably at least 5 millimeters away from each second orifice, more preferably at least 10 millimeters.

[0089] A third aspect of the invention relates to the use of a device as described above, for implementing the method as described above for producing a product with use in the field of cosmetics, in the agri-food field, in the medical field, in the field of three-dimensional printing processes, in the pharmaceutical field, in the field of hydrogel production, in the field of construction, in the fields of synthetic chemistry, fine or specialty chemistry, in the field of inks, paints and coatings, in the field of lubricants, in the field of recycling or recovery of waste and co-products, in the field of energy storage, or in the field of biotechnologies.

[0090] According to one variant, the product obtained is a cosmetic product, pharmaceutical product, topical product, skin or hair care product, hygiene product, detergent product, medical product, composite product or composite material, dental repair product, agricultural product, agri-food product, construction product, ceramic product, lubricant product, coating, printing or decoration product, an energy storage product, a biotechnological product, a chemical product or an ingredient. Brief description of the drawings

[0091] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 3 [Fig. 1] [Fig. 2] [Fig. 3] show a first example of intersection of directed flows of divided solid and liquid respectively in side view, in top view and the corresponding contact zone in side view;

[0092] Figures 4 to 6 [Fig. 4] [Fig.5] [Fig.6] show a second example of intersection of directed flows of divided solid and liquid respectively in side view, in top view and the corresponding contact area in side view;

[0093] Figures 7 to 9 [Fig. 7] [Fig.8] [Fig.9] show a third example of intersection of directed flows of divided solid and liquid respectively in side view, in top view and the corresponding contact area in side view;

[0094] Figures 10 to 12 [Fig. 10] [Fig.11] [Fig.12] show a fourth example of intersection of directed flows of divided solid and liquid respectively in side view, in top view and the corresponding contact area in side view;

[0095] Figures 13 to 15 [Fig. 13] [Fig.14] [Fig.15] show a fifth example of intersection of directed flows of divided solid and liquid respectively in side view, in top view and the corresponding contact area in side view;

[0096] Figures 16 to 18 [Fig. 16] [Fig.17] [Fig.18] show a sixth example of intersection of directed flows of divided solid and liquid respectively in side view, in top view and the corresponding contact area in side view;

[0097] Figures 19 to 21 [Fig. 19] [Fig.20] [Fig.21] show a seventh example of intersection of directed flows of divided solid and liquid respectively in side view, in top view and the corresponding contact area in side view;

[0098] Figures 22 to 24 [Fig. 22] [Fig.23] [Fig.24] show an eighth example of intersection of directed flows of divided solid and liquid respectively in side view, in top view and the corresponding contact area in side view;

[0099] Figures 25 to 27 [Fig. 25] [Fig.26] [Fig.27] show a ninth example of intersection of directed flows of divided solid and liquid respectively in side view, in top view and the corresponding contact area in side view;

[0100] Figures 28 to 30 [Fig. 28] [Fig.29] [Fig.30] show a tenth example of intersection of directed flows of divided solid and liquid respectively in side view, in top view and the corresponding contact area in side view;

[0101] Figures 31 to 33 [Fig. 31] [Fig.32] [Fig.33] show an eleventh example of intersection of directed flows of divided solid and liquid respectively in side view, in top view and the corresponding contact area in side view;

[0102] Figures 34 to 36 [Fig. 34] [Fig.35] [Fig.36] show a twelfth example of intersection of directed flows of divided solid and liquid respectively in side view, in top view and the corresponding contact area in side view;

[0103] Figure 37 [Fig. 37] shows the spatial distribution of particles in a directed flow of divided solid with a compactness of 1%;

[0104] Figure 38 [Fig.38] shows the spatial distribution of particles in a directed flow of divided solid with a compactness of 3%;

[0105] Figure 39 [Fig.39] shows the spatial distribution of particles in a directed flow of divided solid with a compactness of 3% but with particles of diameter ten times larger than in Figure 38;

[0106] Figure 40 [Fig.40] shows a simplified schematic representation of the contacting of the first stream and two other streams in the contact zone to produce an outgoing stream of product;

[0107] Figure 41 [Fig.41] shows a schematic view of a device for implementing the method according to a first embodiment;

[0108] Figure 42 [Fig.42] shows a perspective view of a device for implementing the method according to a second embodiment;

[0109] Figure 43 [Fig. 43] shows an exploded perspective view of the device of Figure 41;

[0110] Figure 44 [Fig. 44] shows a detailed view of the contact area of ​​the flows with the device of Figure 42; and

[0111] [Fig. 45] shows a perspective view of a device for implementing the method according to a variant of the embodiment of Figure 44. Description of the embodiments Overview of the process

[0112] In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of preparing a product, the method comprising at least the steps of: Bringing into contact at least one first directed flow of at least one divided solid exiting from at least one first orifice, and at least one second directed flow of at least one liquid exiting from at least one second orifice, in at least one contact zone, the at least one directed flow of the at least one divided solid and the at least one directed flow of at least one liquid being intersecting, Production of the product in said at least one contact zone, during the duration of contacting the flows by activating physical, physicochemical and / or chemical interactions and affinities of the species brought into contact in the previous step, Providing at least one directed flow of the product exiting the at least one contact zone, said at least one contact zone being delimited by the volume corresponding to the zone(s) of intersection of the at least one directed flow of divided solid and the at least one directed flow of liquid.

[0113] A “directed flow” is defined as a coordinated, controlled, and unidirectional or multidirectional movement of matter in a gaseous environment, under the effect of at least one force (gravitational, hydrodynamic, aerodynamic or other) through an orifice along a principal axis collinear with the resultant of said at least one force.

[0114] After each first orifice, each first directed flow is in an "infinite medium" or "free jet" in the sense of fluid mechanics, that is to say without particular boundary conditions, nor interaction with the environment conditioning the orientation of the flow, in a gaseous medium. After each second orifice, each second directed flow is in an "infinite medium" or "free jet" in the sense of fluid mechanics, that is to say without particular boundary conditions, nor interaction with the environment conditioning the orientation of the flow, in a gaseous medium.

[0115] A directed flow is not a random flow.

[0116] The directed flow may have a cylindrical or conical geometry, convergent or divergent, with a circular, ellipsoidal, parallelepiped or any other base, including variants such as annular or pyramidal with a rectangular base.

[0117] The directed flow can be in the form of jets in laminar or turbulent hydrodynamic regime, projection, pressure spray or flow.

[0118] An orifice may have a surface of circular, ellipsoidal, rectangular, square, trapezoidal, annular or any other geometry.

[0119] An orifice can be advantageously positioned in a nozzle, a spray nozzle, an injector, an open or closed pipeline.

[0120] The directed flow(s) of divided solid and liquid are arranged to intersect so that each directed flow of divided solid intersects with at least one flow of liquid, so as to form at least one contact zone in which the desired interactions and affinities between the species present take place to prepare the product. The adjective "intersecting" qualifies a figure relative to another when they have a non-empty intersection not reduced to one or more multiple points. "The at least one directed flow of divided solid and the at least one directed flow of the at least a liquid are arranged to be secant" therefore means that said flows have a non-empty intersection and not reduced to one or more multiple points.

[0121] The main axis of the at least one second directed flow of liquid may have an angle of between 0° and 180° with the main axis of the at least one first directed flow of divided solid, in order to create the contact zone between the first flow and the at least one second flow. Preferably, said angle is between 0° and 90°, more preferably between 5° and 45°, even more preferably between 15° and 30°. Such an orientation of the directed flows of solid and liquid makes it possible to orient the at least one outgoing flow of product in a desired direction and towards a dedicated space. It will be understood that 0° corresponds to a second directed flow of liquid in the same direction as the first directed flow of divided solid and 180° corresponds to a second directed flow of liquid in the opposite direction to the first directed flow of divided solid.

[0122] The directed streams of divided solid and liquid may be generated continuously or discontinuously. For example, the at least one directed stream of the at least one liquid may flow continuously and the at least one directed stream of the at least one divided solid continuously. The at least one directed stream of the at least one liquid may flow continuously and the at least one directed stream of the at least one divided solid discontinuously. The at least one directed stream of the at least one liquid may flow discontinuously and the at least one directed stream of the at least one divided solid continuously. The at least one directed stream of the at least one liquid may flow discontinuously and the at least one directed stream of the at least one divided solid discontinuously.

[0123] The number of directed flows of divided solid and liquid is variable, various configurations are conceivable, including but not limited to: one directed flow of divided solid and one directed flow of liquid, several directed flows of one or more divided solids and one directed flow of liquid, several directed flows of one or more divided solids and several directed flows of one or more liquids.

[0124] In the example of Figures 1 to 3, the directed flow of divided solid 12 is vertical, conical and divergent, and the directed flow of liquid 11 is conical, divergent and inclined relative to the directed flow of divided solid. The flows are intersecting. The intersection volume of the two flows delimits the contact zone 20. The intersection is incomplete, in other words the entirety of the directed flow of divided solid 12 does not come into contact with the directed flow of liquid 11.

[0125] In the example of Figures 4 to 6, the directed flow of divided solid 12 is vertical and cylindrical, and the directed flow of liquid 11 is conical, convergent and inclined relative to the directed flow of divided solid 12. The intersection volume of the two flows delimits the contact zone 20. The intersection is complete, in other words the entirety of the directed flow of divided solid 12 comes into contact with the directed flow of liquid 11.

[0126] In the example of Figures 7 to 9, the directed flow of divided solid 12 is vertical and cylindrical, and the directed flow of liquid 11 is cylindrical and inclined at 90° relative to the directed flow of divided solid 12. The intersection volume of the two flows delimits the contact zone 20. The intersection is complete.

[0127] In the example of Figures 10 to 12, the directed flow of divided solid 12 is vertical and straight annular, and the directed flow of liquid 11 is vertical and divergent conical, and coaxial with respect to the flow directed divided solid 12. The intersection volume of the two flows delimits the contact zone 20. The intersection is complete.

[0128] In the example of figures 13 to 15, the directed flow of divided solid 12 is vertical and in a divergent curtain, and the directed flow of liquid 11 is in the form of a straight curtain and inclined relative to the directed flow of divided solid 12. The intersection volume of the two flows delimits the contact zone 20. The intersection is almost complete, except at the longitudinal end of the directed flow of divided solid 12 not in contact with the directed flow of liquid 11.

[0129] In the example of Figures 16 to 18, the directed flow of divided solid 12 is vertical and in the shape of a pyramid with a truncated square base, and three directed flows of liquid 11 which are conical and divergent and inclined relative to the directed flow of divided solid 12 are intersecting with the directed flow of divided solid 12. The intersection volume of the four flows delimits the contact zone 20. The intersection is complete.

[0130] In the example of figures 19 to 21, the directed flow of divided solid 12 is vertical, divergent and in the form of a pyramid with a truncated square base, and four directed flows of liquid 11 horizontal and in the form of a pyramid with a truncated rectangular base are intersecting with each other and with the directed flow of divided solid 12. The volume of intersection of the five flows delimits the contact zone 20. The intersection is incomplete, in top view the 4 corners of the directed flow of divided solid 12 do not come into contact with the directed flows of liquid.

[0131] In the example of figures 22 to 24, the directed flow of divided solid 12 is vertical and in a divergent curtain, and three directed flows of liquid 11 horizontal and in the form of a divergent curtain are adjacent and disjoint from each other, and intersecting with respect to the directed flow of divided solid 12. The three volumes of intersection of the three directed flows of liquid 11 with the directed flow of divided solid 12 delimit three distinct and adjacent contact zones 20. The intersection is complete.

[0132] The divided solid preferably flows by gravity from a divided solid orifice (not shown), vertically, downward. The directed flow of divided solid 12 forms a curtain having a plane of symmetry. The plane of symmetry is preferably vertical. The divided solid orifice preferably has a section oriented horizontally (perpendicular to the plane of symmetry). The curtain has a length, a width and a height. The height extends along the vertical. The plane of symmetry is perpendicular to the width. In the example of Figures 22 to 44, the directed flows of liquid 11 follow one another along the length.

[0133] Alternatively, the directed flow of divided solid 12 forms a non-divergent curtain, even of substantially constant width in the vertical direction.

[0134] According to the same or another variant, the directed liquid flows 11 are arranged in pairs, symmetrically with respect to said plane of symmetry. The directed liquid flows 11 may comprise only one pair of directed liquid flows arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry. However, depending on the length of the curtain, it may be desirable to provide several pairs of directed liquid flows 11 succeeding each other in a virtually continuous manner along the direction of the length of the curtain. In particular, the divided solid orifice preferably has a length greater than or equal to 5 times its width, more preferably a length greater than or equal to 10 times its width and even more preferably a length greater than or equal to 25 times its length. Each pair of directed liquid flows converges towards the same contact zone 20. The liquid flows 11 come out of liquid supply orifices (not shown). The liquid supply orifices are arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry.

[0135] According to a variant mentioned above or still another variant, the directed liquid flows form an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to the directed flow of divided solid, in other words with respect to the plane of symmetry, so that the liquid flows 11 are directed downwards. The liquid supply orifices are then preferably arranged substantially at the same level as the divided solid orifice in the vertical direction, on either side of the divided solid orifice. The liquid supply orifices are preferably spaced from the divided solid orifice by at least 5 millimeters, more preferably by at least 10 millimeters. The contact zone is preferably spaced from the divided solid orifice and the liquid supply orifices by at least 5 millimeters, preferably by at least 10 millimeters, more preferably by at least 15 millimeters.

[0136] In the example of figures 25 to 27, the directed flow of divided solid 12 is vertical and conical with any base, and two directed flows of liquid 11 cylindrical with parallelepiped bases are inclined with respect to the directed flow of divided solid 12, disjointed from each other but intersecting with respect to the directed flow of divided solid 12. In side view, one of the two directed flows of liquid 11 passes in front of the other directed flow of liquid 11 in the volume delimited by the directed flow of divided solid 12. The two volumes of intersection of the two directed flows of liquid 11 with the directed flow of divided solid 12 delimit two adjacent contact zones 20. The intersection is complete.

[0137] In the example of figures 28 to 30, the directed flow of divided solid 12 is vertical and conical with any base, and two parallelepiped directed flows of liquid 11 are inclined relative to the directed flow of divided solid 12, disjoint from each other but intersecting with the directed flow of divided solid 12. In side view, one of the two directed flows of liquid 11 passes in front of the other directed flow of liquid 11 outside the volume delimited by the directed flow of divided solid 12. The two volumes of intersection of the two directed flows of liquid 11 with the directed flow of divided solid 12 delimit two disjoint contact zones 20. The intersection is complete.

[0138] In the example of Figures 31 to 33, four directed flows of divided solid 12 are vertical, cylindrical and disjoint, and the directed flow of liquid 11 is conical with an elliptical base, inclined relative to the directed flows of divided solid 12 and intersecting with the four directed flows of divided solid 12. The intersection volumes of the four directed flows of divided solid with the directed flow of liquid delimit four disjoint contact zones 20. The intersection is complete.

[0139] In the example of figures 34 to 36, four directed flows of divided solid 12 are vertical, cylindrical and disjoint, and four directed flows of liquid 11 are conical and inclined relative to the directed flows of divided solid 12, intersecting with each other and with the four directed flows of divided solid 12. The intersection volumes between the different flows delimit eight disjoint contact zones 20. The intersection is complete.

[0140] Other configurations are of course possible.

[0141] In a preferred configuration, in particular for the preparation of a gelled product from a divided solid consisting of a mixture of ingredients containing a gelling agent and water as liquid, a gravitational directed flow of divided solid and three flows of liquid are arranged to be intersecting and form a contact zone.

[0142] The generation time of the directed flows of divided solid and liquid is in particular adjusted to the formulation and the volume of product to be obtained, depending on the flow rates of the directed flows of divided solid and liquid.

[0143] The method according to the invention does not include a step of mixing the at least one divided solid and the at least one liquid using a mixing member. The divided solid

[0144] A divided solid is understood here as a plurality of solid or semi-solid particles not bound to each other of powder or granular type. By "solid particles" is meant particles derived from solid material. By "semi-solid particles" is meant particles derived from semi-solid material, characterized by a viscoelastic behavior such that the elastic modulus in linear regime at 1 Hz is between 1000 Pa and 1 Gpa, measured by oscillatory rheometry or dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The solid or semi-solid particles have an equivalent diameter distribution preferably between 0.1 micrometer (pm) and 5 cm, preferably between 10 pm and 1000 pm, more preferably between 150 pm and 800 pm for divided solids of powder type, preferably between 300 pm and 2000 pm for divided solids of granular type.

[0145] The equivalent diameter is defined as the diameter of a hypothetical spherical particle that has the same geometric, optical, electrical, or aerodynamic behavior as a real, non-spherical particle. The maximum equivalent diameter is defined as the maximum diameter of the particles constituting the divided solid, as determined, for example, by dry or liquid particle sizing.

[0146] The average equivalent diameter of solid particles is typically determined by laser particle size measurement.

[0147] The divided solid may consist of solid or semi-solid particles in the form of loose powder, flakes, flakes, grains, granules, having any type of form factor, surface condition, porosity and / or be derived from the transformation by appropriate means of incoming forms of compressed divided solid type (tablets, pellets, tablets, granules, flakes), semi-solid of soap bar type or solid.

[0148] The divided solid may consist of one or more components. In some embodiments, several divided solids of different chemical composition are combined together upstream of the formation of a directed flow. Depending on the applications, the divided solid may comprise, for example:

[0149] - foods, such as mashed potato flakes, cocoa, sugars, freeze-dried vegetables or fruits, milk powder;

[0150] - metal, resins, ceramics, cement, and any mineral material,

[0151] - functional molecules such as pigments, dyes, activated carbon, sunscreen, fluorides, organic fluorides,

[0152] - active ingredients such as vitamin C and derivatives, hyaluronic acid, collagen, vitamin A and derivatives, niacinamide, azelaic acid, peptides, silanols, oligosaccharides, ferments, ectoine, cannabidiol, cannabis oil,

[0153] - additives such as texturizing, thickening or gelling agents, in particular xanthan, alginates, carrageenans, surfactants such as alkyl sulfates (sodium lauryl sulfate), sulfonates (isethionates, taurates), sulfo-carboxylic compounds (sulfosuccinates, suflosuccinamates), sarcosides or acyl amino acids (lauroyl sarcosinate, acyl glutamates), cocoamidopropyl betaine and its derivatives, alkylamines, alkylpolyglucosides, glycolipids (sophorolipids and rhamnolipids), disintegrants such as croscarmelose, sodium starch glycolate, crospovidone, calcium carbonate, citric acid, calcium silicate, carboxymethyl cellulose, emulsifiers, bulking agents such as cellulose, xylitol, erythritol, maltodextrin, dextrose, starch, mannitol, sorbitol, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, calcium carbonate, lactose, cyclodextrins, different types of clays, talc, mica, mineral fillers such as carbonates, silicas,organic fillers such as polysaccharides, foaming agents, exfoliating agents, lubricating agents and flow agents such as silicas, wax pellets, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, plant extracts, in particular in powder or impregnated form,

[0154] - solid chemical reagents

[0155] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one first directed flow of the at least one divided solid is generated by vertical gravity flow. The at least one first directed flow of the at least one divided solid flows or is projected through at least one first orifice. In a particular mode, the at least one divided solid is transported to the at least one orifice via a hopper equipped with a dosing module.

[0156] A minimum characteristic dimension of an orifice is defined as the smallest distance between two opposite points from one edge of the orifice to the other. For example, if the orifice is circular in cross-section, the minimum characteristic dimension is the diameter; if the orifice is square in cross-section, the minimum characteristic dimension is the length of one side of the square; if the orifice is rectangular in cross-section, the minimum characteristic dimension is the width of the rectangle. If the orifice is of any shape, the minimum characteristic dimension is the equivalent diameter.

[0157] According to one aspect, the at least one first outlet orifice of the at least one first directed flow of the at least one divided solid has a minimum characteristic dimension being less than or equal to 1000 times, preferably 500 times, more preferably 200 times, even more preferably 100 times the maximum equivalent diameter of the solid particles of the divided solid and greater than one time said maximum equivalent diameter. This allows for maximum contact of the directed flow of divided solid with the or each directed flow of liquid and to avoid blockages. More particularly, the at least one first outlet orifice of at least one directed flow of the at least one divided solid has a minimum characteristic dimension less than or equal to 50 times the maximum equivalent diameter of the solid particles of the divided solid. More particularly still, the at least one first outlet orifice of divided solid has a section less than or equal to 10 times the maximum equivalent diameter of the solid particles of the divided solid.

[0158] The mass flow rate of divided solid is for example between 1 g / min and 1000 kg / min, preferably between 2 g / min and 100 kg / min, preferably between 5 g / min and 10 kg / min, preferably between 10 g / min and 1 kg / min, preferably between 15 g / min and 500 g / min, preferably between 20 g / min and 100 g / min, preferably between 25 g / min and 50 g / min.

[0159] For example, in particular in the case of the preparation of a gelled product from divided solids comprising at least one gelling agent and water as liquid, the mass flow rate of divided solid is greater than or equal to 1 g / min, in particular between 1.5 g / min and 36 g / min. In this example, the gelled product is preferably packaged in a bottle.

[0160] For example, in particular in the case of the preparation of a gelled product from divided solids comprising at least one gelling agent and water as liquid, the at least one outlet orifice of the at least one directed flow of the at least one divided solid has a minimum characteristic dimension of between 8 μm and 50 mm, preferably between 9 μm and 20 mm, preferably between 10 μm and 5 mm. In this example, the gelled product is preferably packaged in a bottle.

[0161] In a preferred embodiment, only one divided solid is implemented in the method, regardless of the number of streams. According to variants, at least two different divided solids are implemented in the method, supplied respectively through at least one directed stream of divided solid. The liquid

[0162] In the present invention, the term "liquid" means a product in liquid or semi-liquid form at working temperature. A product "in liquid form" is defined as a product having rheological properties characteristic of a Newtonian fluid. A product "in semi-liquid form" is defined as a non-Newtonian fluid, the viscosity of which depends on shear.

[0163] The viscosity of the liquid is preferably between 0.1 cps (mPa.s) and 100,000 cps (mPa.s), preferably between 0.5 and 10,000 cps (mPa.s), more preferably between 0.7 and 500 for a Newtonian fluid at working temperature. In the case of semi-liquids or non-Newtonian fluids, the non-Newtonian behavior leads to a shear-dependent viscosity, varying from about 1 to 1,000,000 cps (mPa.s) at 0.1s -1 and from 1 to 10000 cps (mPa.s) at 100s -1 Viscosity is measured using a rotational rheometer equipped with measuring tools allowing control of the applied shear gradient and temperature control in a range covering the working temperature.

[0164] The liquid can consist of one or more components.

[0165] The liquid may include, depending on the applications, for example and not limited to:

[0166] - water,

[0167] - food liquids such as oil, milk or egg white, water-soluble film-forming polymer sugars, fruit and vegetable waters, algae waters,

[0168] - mineral, silicone or vegetable oils,

[0169] - resins, fats, melted waxes,

[0170] - lubricants,

[0171] - paints, inks, varnishes,

[0172] - gels,

[0173] - a suspension or solution of polymers,

[0174] - perfumes,

[0175] - esters or alkanes,

[0176] - activated waters, particularly spring waters,

[0177] - ethanol, polyols and other organic solvents,

[0178] - water-soluble active ingredients,

[0179] - additives such as flavorings, colorings, emulsifiers, plasticizers, anionic, cationic, non-ionic or amphoteric surfactants, gelling agents including acrylate derivatives, thickeners including polysaccharides, xanthan gum, carrageenans, alginates, tara gum, cellulose derivatives, sclerotium gum, pectin and derivatives, acacia gum, sterculia gum, caesalpina spinosa gum, humectants including glycerin, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, propanediol, solubilizers including ethanol, heptyl glucoside, glycolipids, polyglyceryl-10 caprylate, PPG-26 buteth-26 and PEG-40, hydrogenated castor oil and water, caprylyl / capryl glucoside and water and diisopropyl adipate and triethyl citrate, glycerin and hydrolyzate hydrogenated starch and water and sucrose laurate

[0180] - liquid chemical reagents

[0181] The working temperature is such that at this temperature the material constituting the "liquid" actually exhibits fluid behavior allowing it to flow and be supplied through the orifice at a determined flow rate. When the liquid is water, the working temperature is preferably between 2°C and 90°C, more particularly between 5°C and 60°C, more particularly between 10°C and 40°C, more particularly still between 15°C and 25°C.

[0182] The directed flow of liquid may be in the form of a continuous medium, droplets, or microdroplets. The directed flow(s) of liquid are supplied at a pressure of between 0.01 bar and 10 bar, preferably between 0.05 bar and 6 bar, preferably between 0.1 bar and 2 bar, more preferably still between 0.1 bar and 1 bar.

[0183] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one directed flow of the at least one liquid is projected.

[0184] In one embodiment, the at least one directed stream of the at least one liquid is generated by vertical gravity flow. In this embodiment, the at least one directed stream of the at least one divided solid is provided through the at least one first orifice such that the directed streams of divided solid and liquid are intersecting.

[0185] Each directed flow of liquid has a sufficient volume flow rate so that the liquid does not flow drop by drop. The volume flow rate of liquid is determined according to the dimensions of the device in which the method is implemented. In a particular example, in particular for the preparation of a gelled product from divided solids comprising at least one gelling agent and water as liquid, the volume flow rate of liquid is greater than or equal to 10 ml / min, in particular between 15 ml / min and 360 ml / min. In other configurations, the volume flow rate of liquid may be between 10 ml / min and 10 l / min, preferably between 12 ml / min and 1 l / min, preferably between 14 ml / min and 500 ml / min. In this example, the gelled product is preferably packaged in a bottle.

[0186] Preferably, each orifice for supplying directed flow of liquid has a minimum characteristic dimension of between 8 μm and 50 mm, preferably between 9 μm and 20 mm, preferably between 10 μm and 5 mm.

[0187] According to a particular example, for water, in particular for the preparation of a gelled product from divided solids comprising at least one gelling agent, each orifice for supplying a directed flow of water has a minimum characteristic dimension of between 10 μm and 5 mm. In particular, between 2 and 12 orifices are used to deliver between 2 and 12 directed flows of liquid. In this example, the gelled product is preferably packaged in a bottle.

[0188] In a preferred embodiment, only one liquid is used in the method, regardless of the number of streams. According to variants, at least two different liquids are used in the method, supplied respectively through at least one liquid stream. Contacting the flows

[0189] By "contact zone" is meant a delimited area of ​​space in which at least one directed flow of divided solid and at least one directed flow of liquid meet.

[0190] The contact zone is delimited by the volume corresponding to the zone(s) of intersection of the at least one directed flow of divided solid and the at least one directed flow of liquid.

[0191] A contact zone between the flows is not delimited by material walls. This makes it possible to limit the need for cleaning the activation zone of the interactions and affinities between the species present. Since the directed flows are generated in a gaseous environment, in particular in air, the contact zone is therefore also in a gaseous environment, preferably at atmospheric pressure and preferably in air. In a preferred configuration, the contact zone can be located in a frame of the device in which the method is implemented, the walls of said frame not delimiting the contact zone, but simply being the fairing of the device. The contact zone is not located in a pipe or a closed conduit for the circulation of a liquid. Perpendicular to the direction of each first directed flow, from each first orifice and up to the contact zone, the device is devoid of any material wall extending less than 1 millimeter, preferably less than 5 millimeters, more preferably less than 10 millimeters from each first directed flow. Perpendicular to the direction of each second directed flow from the second orifice and up to the contact zone, the device is devoid of any material wall extending less than 1 millimeter, preferably less than 5 millimeters, more preferably less than 10 millimeters from the second directed flow.

[0192] Depending on the geometries of the divided solid stream(s) and the liquid stream(s) and their arrangement, the meeting of the streams may form one or more contact zones. By definition of the at least one divided solid stream and the at least one liquid stream, intersecting, there is at least one contact zone.

[0193] The geometric arrangement of the flows is such that each liquid flow can be associated with at least one contact zone with a divided solid flow.

[0194] Preferably, each contact zone is located at a minimum distance from the original orifice of said at least one stream of divided solid of one time, preferably two times, preferably five times, preferably ten times, preferably one hundred times the maximum equivalent diameter of the particles of the divided solid. Furthermore, said at least one contact zone is preferably distant from the at least one first orifice and from the at least one second orifice by a distance greater than or equal to said minimum distance, which is preferably equal to 5 millimeters, preferably 10 millimeters, more preferably 15 millimeters. In addition, each first orifice is preferably distant from each second orifice by at least 5 millimeters, more preferably at least 10 millimeters.Preferably, in a particular example, in particular for the preparation of a gelled product from divided solids comprising at least one gelling agent and water as liquid, between 2 mm and 40 mm for an average equivalent diameter of 400 μm of the divided solid. In this example, the gelled product is preferably packaged in a bottle. Thus, the phenomena of blockage and fouling of the nozzles by the divided solids having interacted with the liquid are highly limited. In addition, the cleaning of the walls of the device which would be close to the contact zone is limited. Finally, the risk of cross-contamination is thus reduced.

[0195] In a preferred configuration, the geometric arrangement of the orifices, and of the flows and of the number of flows is such that each flow of divided solid is cut by at least one contact zone, so that the entirety of the material constituting the at least one directed flow of divided solid is reached by the at least one directed flow of liquid.

[0196] The geometric arrangement of the flows is in particular adjusted so that, in the case of a single contact zone, at least one of the characteristic dimensions of said contact zone is less than ten thousand times, preferably one thousand times, preferably five hundred times, preferably one hundred times, preferably fifty times, preferably thirty times, preferably ten times the maximum equivalent diameter of the particles of the divided solid. In the case of an arrangement of the flows with several divided solid stream and one or more liquid streams such that there are several non-connected contact zones, there is at least one of the characteristic dimensions of each of said contact zones less than one thousand times, preferably five hundred times, preferably one hundred times, preferably fifty times, preferably thirty hundred times, preferably ten times the maximum equivalent diameter of the particles of the divided solid.

[0197] Each contact zone has at least one of its characteristic dimensions being less than a thousand times, preferably five hundred times, preferably one hundred times, preferably fifty times, preferably thirty times, preferably ten times the maximum equivalent diameter of the particles of the divided solid. The contact zone preferably has a volume of between 1 mm 3 and 5 m 3 , preferably between 3 mm 3 and 1 m 3 , preferably between 5 mm 3and 300 dm 3 , preferably between 5 mm 3 and 1 dm 3 , preferably between 5 mm 3 and 30 cm 3 , preferably between 10 mm 3 and 10 cm 3 .

[0198] In a preferred configuration, in particular for the preparation of a gelled product from divided solids comprising at least one gelling agent, and water as liquid, in a configuration with a single contact zone, said contact zone preferably has a restricted volume. The contact zone preferably has a volume of between 1 mm 3 and 20 cm 3 , more preferably between 5 mm 3 and 10 cm 3 , even more preferably between 8 mm 3 and 5 cm 3 , even more preferably between 10 mm 3 and 2 cm 3. In this example, the gelled product is preferably packaged in a bottle. According to this example, the projected section of the first directed flow of divided solid in the contact zone is preferably between 1 mm 2 and 100 mm 2 , especially between 5 mm 2 and 40 mm 2 , more particularly between 15 mm 2 and 25 mm 2 . Activation of interactions and affinities in a contact zone

[0199] In the present invention, it is understood that the at least one divided solid and the at least one liquid are made up of species having affinities and / or capable of physical, physicochemical and / or chemical interaction inducing the phenomena responsible for the physical characteristics of the desired product. In the example of a gelled product, the divided solids comprising at least one gelling agent interact with water on a physicochemical level to form a hydrogel having a mechanical strength responsible for the texture of the product.

[0200] In a preferred configuration, all of the species necessary for the manufacture of a product for a given application are present in the divided solid and liquid streams.

[0201] The preparation of the product is initiated by activation in a contact zone of said physical, physicochemical or chemical interactions and affinities between all or part of the species constituting the at least one first directed flow of solid and the at least one second directed flow of liquid. The geometric and flow characteristics of the at least one directed flow of divided solid and liquid make it possible to control the characteristics of the flows entering and leaving the contact zone so as to adjust the interactions between the species.

[0202] For example, especially in the case of preparing a gelled product from divided solids comprising at least one gelling agent as the divided solid and water as the liquid, the preparation of a volume of 200 ml from 20 g of powder and 180 ml of water takes place over a period of between 0.1 seconds and 180 seconds. In this example, the gelled product is preferably packaged in a bottle.

[0203] The volume flow rate of the at least one directed flow of at least one divided solid is adjusted to maximize the contact of the particles of the flow with the directed flow(s) of at least one liquid and subsequently the activation of the interactions and affinities between the species. The volume flow rate is adjusted to the size of the orifice delivering this flow rate, such that the directed flow of at least one divided solid has a compactness defined by the ratio of the actual volume occupied by the particles to the total volume occupied by said flow of between 0 and the most compact stacking possible taking into account the particle size distribution of the at least one divided solid constituting said flow, more preferably between 0% and 50%, even more preferably between 0% and 10%, and even more preferably between 0% and 5%. Examples are shown in Figures 37 to 39.In other words, the directed flow of divided solid must not be too compact so that the liquid can interact optimally with the particles constituting said flow of at least one divided solid. The determination of the compactness can be carried out by calculation from the geometric dimensions of the total volume occupied by the flow, the volume flow rate, the speed of movement of the particles and the particle size distribution of the divided solid. Images of the flow can also be used.

[0204] The flow rate ratios of the at least one directed stream of divided solid and of the at least one directed stream of liquid are adjusted according to the specificities of the application and the characteristics targeted for the product. A ratio between the volume flow rate of divided solid and the volume flow rate of liquid is in particular adjusted according to the specificities of the application. It is preferably between 1:100 and 99:1, preferably between 1:30 and 5:1, more preferably between 1:20 and 3:1. According to examples, for the preparation of a gelled product, the divided solid / liquid ratio is typically 1:10. For certain agri-food preparations, the divided solid / liquid ratio increases to 1:6 or even 3:1 for thick pastes. If the process uses several streams of divided solids, the total volume flow rate of divided solids is equal to the sum of the volume flow rates of each stream of divided solid.If the process involves multiple liquid streams, the total liquid volume flow rate is equal to the sum of the volume flow rates of each liquid stream.

[0205] In a particular configuration, if the process implements several directed streams of divided solids, the volume flow rate of each directed stream of divided solid is equivalent.

[0206] The geometric arrangement, the flow rates of the directed flows of divided solid and liquid and the activation of interactions and / or affinities between all or part of the species present results in a directed flow of product leaving the contact zone according to the resultant of the flow rates of divided solid and liquid. In the case of a single directed flow of divided solid, the directing axis of the directed flow of product forms an angle with the directing axis of the flow of divided solid between 0° and the value of the maximum angle between the directing axis of said directed flow of divided solid and that of the at least one directed flow of liquid.

[0207] Supply of directed flow of product exiting a contact zone

[0208] A directed flow of product leaving a contact zone is defined as a coordinated movement of material resulting from the interaction between the directed flows entering said contact zone, conditioning its characteristics such as the main axis or the flow rate.

[0209] Figure 40 shows very schematically the contacting of two directed flows 11 of liquid with a directed flow of divided solid 12. The three directed flows 11, 12 converge towards the contact zone 20 where a product is produced during the contact time of the flows by activation of affinities or interactions of a physical, physicochemical and / or chemical nature of the species brought into contact. Then, a flow of product 25 leaves the contact zone 20.

[0210] As seen in Figure 40, for a gravity flow of divided solid, the directed flow of outgoing product 25 is considered from the lowest point of the contact zone.

[0211] At (just upstream) of the contact zone, in other words at the entrance to the contact zone, the at least one first directed flow 12 has a speed of between 0.01 m / s and 1 m / s, preferably between 0.01 m / s and 0.5 m / s, while the at least one second directed flow 11 has a speed of between 0.01 m / s and 10 m / s, preferably between 0.01 m / s and 2 m / s, more preferably between 0.05 m / s and 1 m / s. The outgoing product flow 25 has a speed of between 0.01 m / s and 10 m / s, preferably between 0.02 m / s and 2 m / s, more preferably between 0.05 m / s and 0.5 m / s.

[0212] In a preferred configuration, the geometric arrangement and flow rates of the directed streams of divided solid and liquid are adjusted such that the directed stream(s) exiting one or more contact zones is (are) essentially composed of the product resulting from the interactions and affinities between the species. In addition to the product exiting the contact zone, there may be, for example, spray mist phenomena. An efficiency is defined by the mass ratio between the outgoing product stream and the incoming streams of divided solid and liquid. The efficiency is, for example, in order of preference, at least equal to 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, 99.9%, 100%.

[0213] Depending on the specific case, the physical, physicochemical and / or chemical properties of the product may change during the path of the directed flow of product from the contact zone to a product collection zone. The product may undergo maturation. The interactions and affinities between the at least one divided solid and the at least one liquid may not take place entirely in the contact zone and may continue afterward. For example, the viscosity of the product may increase during its path, the product may undergo crosslinking, crystallization, solidification. Particles of divided solid or liquid may not come into contact in the contact zone but some may meet and interact beyond, for example in a product collection zone.

[0214] According to variants, one or more additional directed streams of at least one divided solid and / or at least one liquid may be arranged to contact said outgoing directed stream of product and form one or more contact zones between said outgoing directed stream and the one or more additional streams.

[0215] The volume flow rates of the outgoing flow(s) can be variable. For example, for a contact area of ​​1 cm 3 , the directed flow of outgoing product can flow at a volume flow rate between 20 ml / min and 250 ml / min, in particular between 100 ml / min and 220 ml / min, more particularly still between 150 ml / min and 210 ml / min.

[0216] By "product" is meant here a product in liquid form, including semi-liquid, pasty or semi-solid or divided solid, all or part of whose properties emerge from the interactions and affinities between all or part of the species constituting the directed flows of divided solids and liquid. For example, the product is a gelled product resulting from interactions and affinities between divided solids comprising at least one gelling agent and water.

[0217] A "liquid" is defined as a product in liquid or semi-liquid form at the temperature at which the directed flow of product is supplied. A "liquid" product is defined as a product with rheological properties characteristic of a Newtonian fluid, i.e., one whose viscosity at the working temperature is constant regardless of the applied shear. A "semi-liquid" product is defined as a non-Newtonian fluid, whose viscosity depends on the shear.

[0218] The viscosity of the product in liquid form is preferably between 0.1 cps (mPa.s) and 100,000 cps (mPa.s), preferably between 0.5 and 10,000 cps (mPa.s), more preferably between 0.7 and 500 for a Newtonian fluid at working temperature. In the case of semi-liquids or non-Newtonian fluids, the non-Newtonian behavior leads to a shear-dependent viscosity, varying from approximately 1 to 1,000,000 cps (mPa.s) at 0.1s -1 and from 1 to 10000 cps (mPa.s) at 100s -1 Viscosity is measured by rotational rheometry with measuring tools allowing control of the imposed shear gradient as well as the temperature.

[0219] Examples of products in liquid form include thermal waters, fruit, vegetable or algae waters, micellar waters, aqueous or hydro-alcoholic lotions, true solutions or colloidal solutions, in particular those with a low concentration of polymers, foaming lotions, single-phase, two-phase or three-phase cleansing lotions, oils, varnishes, syrups, suspensions of other divided solids, chemical solutions.

[0220] Advantageously, the product in liquid form has a viscosity different from the liquid constituting the at least one corresponding directed flow of liquid. For example, the viscosity of the product, measured by rotational rheometry with measuring tools making it possible to control the imposed shear gradient as well as the temperature, is at least 1%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, or even at least 50% greater than the viscosity of the liquid of the at least one directed flow of liquid.

[0221] In a preferred example, the product is not in liquid form.

[0222] A product in semi-liquid, pasty or semi-solid form is defined indistinctly as having at least one of the following characteristics: non-Newtonian rheological behavior at the temperature of supply of the directed flow of product, Newtonian rheological behavior with a viscosity value greater than 1 Pa.s at the temperature of supply of the directed flow of product, rheological behavior of a product with a flow threshold or viscoelastic characteristics such that the steady-state elastic modulus measured by strain sweep at 1 Hz in rheometry exceeds 10 Pa.

[0223] For example, the product in semi-liquid form is a weakly gelled cosmetic product, a shower gel, a shampoo, a cleansing milk, a body milk, a sun milk, a cleansing jelly, a cleansing jelly, a slimming jelly, a jelly for the face or body, a complexion jelly, a fluid emulsion, a dishwashing liquid, a sauce, a paint, a varnish, a glue, a soup.

[0224] For example, the product in paste form is a toothpaste, a concentrated suspension, a thick cream, a clay mask for the face or body, a hair coloring and bleaching product, a gloss, a food preparation, a concentrated suspension.

[0225] For example, the product in semi-solid form is a gelled cosmetic product, a body balm, a lip balm, a hair fixing gel, a deodorant balm, a dermatological syndet or bar, a food preparation, a puree, a foam, a mortar, a food paste, a soap, a resin, a mastic, a crosslinked silicone, a gel ink, a wax, a lubricating grease.

[0226] Advantageously, the product in semi-liquid, pasty or semi-solid form has rheological properties distinct from the liquid constituting the at least one directed flow of corresponding liquid.

[0227] A product in divided solid form is defined as consisting of a plurality of solid or semi-solid particles not bound to each other, of powder or granular type. The solid or semi-solid particles have an equivalent diameter distribution preferably between 0.1 micrometer (pm) and 5 cm, preferably between 10 pm and 1000 pm, more preferably between 150 pm and 800 pm.

[0228] Advantageously, the product in the form of a divided solid has properties distinct from the divided solid constituting the at least one directed flow of corresponding divided solid flow. In particular, a particle size distribution and an equivalent average diameter, or one or more dynamic properties as measured in a shear cell on a rheometer (flow function, breaking stress, internal friction angle, wall friction angle, major consolidation stresses, fluidization velocity) different from said divided solid constituting the at least one directed flow of divided solid entering the contact zone.

[0229] In a preferred example, the product is not in the form of a divided solid.

[0230] Optionally, the resulting product is collected for further use. For example, the resulting product is collected from a surface, in a container, in a tank or in a mold.

[0231] The product can be a “finished product” or a “semi-finished product”.

[0232] By "finished product" we mean a product that is stable over time, for example at least two weeks, ready for sale and / or use.

[0233] By "semi-finished product" is meant a product for which the activation of the physical, physicochemical and / or chemical interactions and affinities between the at least one first directed flow of at least one divided solid and the at least one second directed flow of at least one liquid begins when they meet in the contact zone, and continues after their meeting to form a finished product outside the contact zone, for example in a collection zone for the semi-finished product.

[0234] For example, when the finished product is a gel, drops of gel constituting a semi-finished product are produced in the contact zone, and the gel constituting a finished product is produced beyond the contact zone, for example in a collection zone, in particular a container. According to another example, the semi-finished product comprises resins produced in the semi-liquid state, which harden beyond the contact zone, for example in a collection zone, in particular a tray or a mold.

[0235] Preferred embodiment for the preparation of gelled product packaged in a bottle

[0236] The directed flow of divided solid comprising at least one gelling agent is a gravity flow. Between two and six directed flows of liquid, preferably three directed flows of aqueous liquid are oriented at an angle of 20° to 50°, preferably 25° to 40°, preferably 27° to 33°, for example 30° each relative to the directed flow of divided solid. The four directed flows of divided solid and liquid are arranged to be intersecting.

[0237] The mass flow rate of divided solid is greater than or equal to 1 g / min, in particular between 1.5 g / min and 36 g / min. In other configurations, the mass flow rate of divided solid may be between 1 g / min and 1 kg / min.

[0238] The outlet orifice of the directed flow of divided solid has a minimum characteristic dimension between 10 pm and 5 mm.

[0239] Each directed flow of liquid is, for example, supplied at a volume flow rate greater than or equal to 10 ml / min, in particular between 15 ml / min and 360 ml / min. Thus, each second flow is projected at a flow rate sufficient so that the liquid does not flow drop by drop.

[0240] For example, each liquid supply orifice has a minimum characteristic dimension between 10 pm and 50 mm. According to a particular example, for water, each orifice for supplying a directed flow of water has a minimum characteristic dimension between 10 pm and 5 mm.

[0241] The contact area preferably has a restricted volume. The contact area preferably has a volume between 1 mm 3 and 20 cm 3 , more preferably between 5 mm 3 and 10 cm 3 , even more preferably between 10 mm 3 and 5 cm 3 , even more preferably between 20 mm 3 and 2 cm3 .

[0242] According to one example, for a divided solid having an average equivalent diameter between 150 pm and 800 pm, the volume of the contact zone is between 10 mm 3 and 10 cm 3 , more especially between 0.1 cm 3 and 2 cm 3 . According to this example, the projected section of the first directed flow of divided solid in the contact zone is preferably between 1 mm 2 and 100 mm 2 , especially between 5 mm 2 and 40 mm 2 , more particularly between 15 mm 2 and 25 mm 2 .

[0243] For example, for a contact area of ​​1 cm 3 , the directed flow of outgoing product can flow at a volume flow rate of between 20 ml / min and 250 ml / min, in particular between 100 ml / min and 220 ml / min, more particularly still between 150 ml / min and 210 ml / min.

[0244] The preparation of a volume of 200 ml from 20 g of powder and 180 ml of water takes between 0.1 seconds and 180 seconds. Device for implementing the process

[0245] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a device 10 for implementing the method according to the invention, an exemplary embodiment of which is shown in FIG. 41.

[0246] The method described above can be implemented in the form of a device in various industrial application contexts.

[0247] The invention relates to a device for implementing the method of preparing a product, the device comprising: - Storage means 8 and / or supply 2, 7 for said at least one divided solid and said at least one liquid; - means 40 for dosing the at least one divided solid and / or the at least one liquid - at least one first outlet orifice 15 for the at least one first directed flow of the at least one divided solid 12 and at least one second orifice 13 for supplying the at least one second directed flow of the at least one liquid 11 arranged so as to bring into contact the at least one first directed flow of at least one divided solid 12 and the at least one second directed flow of liquid 11 so that they are intersecting in at least one contact zone 20, thus causing the activation of physical, physicochemical and / or chemical interaction and affinities of the species brought into contact in the at least one contact zone 20 and the supply of at least one directed flow of product 25 leaving the at least one contact zone 20, - Means 50 for controlling and / or commanding the at least one first directed flow of divided solid 12 and the at least one second directed flow of liquid 11, - 60 means of interfacing with a user.

[0248] The device allows the automatic production on demand of a given quantity of product, which can thus be supplied under various conditions.

[0249] Such a device has the advantages of being very modular depending on the type of product desired, the elements of the device are chosen to be adapted to the intended use, to the nature of the interactions and affinities between species present and the characteristics of the flows can also be adapted, such as the number, the flow rate, the orientation or the section of the flows, the flow or the continuous or discontinuous supply.

[0250] The device allows for the direct use of divided solids for the manufacture and supply to homes, points of sale or product use.

[0251] The implementation of the process in a device opens up the possibility of automatic, programmable and instantaneous preparation of products at home or at the point of sale, for example in specialized distribution or mass distribution, or at the point of use, for example in a care center, hotel or public space, with the main advantages of reducing the logistics costs linked to the manufacture of bottled products, limiting the use of associated packaging, promoting the refillability of bottles, increasing capacities and storage duration (preservation of solid products), without altering the quality of the products or the customer experience.

[0252] Storage and power supply

[0253] The device comprises means 8 for storing and / or supplying 2, 7 said at least one divided solid and said at least one liquid. In particular, and without limitation, the storage means are of the hopper, reservoir, carboy, tank, bowl, cartridge, capsule or pod type.

[0254] In one embodiment, the divided solid storage means contains at least one divided solid.

[0255] In one embodiment, the liquid storage means contains at least one liquid.

[0256] In particular, and without limitation, the supply means 2, 7 comprise an endless screw, a pipe, a pipeline, and / or a conveyor. The means for supplying said at least one divided solid or said at least one liquid make it possible to supply the at least one first orifice with divided solid and the at least one second orifice with liquid.

[0257] Feeding means can be automated.

[0258] The automated supply means are in particular controlled by the control and / or command means 50 for controlling the at least one first flow and the at least one second flow.

[0259] In one example, the device is devoid of means for storing said at least one divided solid and said at least one liquid and only comprises means for supplying said at least one divided solid and said at least one liquid. The supply means are then connected to means for storing divided solid and liquid when necessary, depending on the desired product.

[0260] Optionally, the device may comprise upstream of the at least one directed flow of at least one divided solid a module 70 for transforming, for example, a solid in the form of a block, grains, tablets or pellets, into a divided solid, or a first divided solid into a second divided solid of equivalent diameter less than that of the first divided solid.

[0261] The transformation module 70 is, for example, a module for grinding, crushing or any other mechanical or physical operation enabling said transformation. The transformation module 70 may be electric or manual.

[0262] Optionally, the device may comprise, upstream of the at least one directed flow of at least one liquid, a thermomechanical treatment module 80 for transforming a solid into a liquid, or for reducing the viscosity of a liquid before its projection or its flow through the orifice provided for this purpose.

[0263] According to another embodiment, the device may comprise a receiving space for a storage means of the capsule or pod type, containing at least one divided solid and / or at least one liquid and a means for opening the storage means to allow the transfer of the divided solid or the liquid via supply means to the respective orifice. For example, the means for opening the storage means is a piercing means.

[0264] The device may comprise a plurality of means 8 for storing divided solid and / or liquid and / or solid, allowing the user to make choices among the ingredients or among desired product characteristics and thus the device to provide customization functions.

[0265] The device may comprise means for moving the storage means. This makes it possible to vary the location of the storage means to improve the compactness of the device, and / or to choose the storage means containing the at least one divided solid and the at least one liquid specific to a given product from among a plurality of storage means for the at least one divided solid and the at least one liquid.

[0266] The divided solids and liquids conveyed to the orifices of the device can be considered as consumables insofar as they are consumed to supply the device in which they are brought into contact according to the method of the invention.

[0267] Dosage and mixing

[0268] The device may comprise means 90 for mixing the at least one divided solid as well as means 100 for mixing the at least one liquid upstream of the respective outlet orifices of the at least one first flow and second flow.

[0269] The device comprises dosing means 40.

[0270] The dosing means 40 may be automated or manual.

[0271] The automated dosing means may be equipped with sensors, in particular flow or mass sensors, and a pumping system for dosing the at least one divided solid and / or the at least one liquid. The automated dosing means are controlled by the control and / or command means for piloting the at least one first flow and the at least one second flow.

[0272] The dosing means 40 may be provided for volume dosing or mass dosing.

[0273] Holes

[0274] The characteristic shapes and dimensions of the orifices are detailed above, in the section relating to the process.

[0275] The at least one outlet orifice 15 of the at least one directed flow of at least one divided solid is for example located at the outlet of a means 8 for storing and / or supplying 2, 7 of divided solid. The means for storing and / or supplying divided solid may be pierced with a single orifice or a plurality of orifices. This makes it possible to vary the characteristics of the directed flow of divided solid such as the flow rate or the shape of the flow.

[0276] The at least one orifice 13 for supplying the at least one directed flow of at least one liquid is for example located at the outlet of a liquid storage means 8 and / or supply means 7. The liquid storage means and / or supply means may have a single orifice or a plurality of orifices. This makes it possible to vary the characteristics of the directed flow of liquid such as the flow rate or the shape of the flow.

[0277] The at least one outlet orifice 15 of the at least one directed flow of divided solid and the at least one orifice 13 for supplying at least one directed flow of liquid are configured to bring into contact the at least one first directed flow of the at least one divided solid 12, and the at least one second directed flow of the at least one liquid 11, in at least one contact zone 20, the at least one directed flow of divided solid 12 and the at least one directed flow of liquid 11 being intersecting.

[0278] Each orifice 13, 15 can advantageously be positioned in a nozzle, a spray nozzle, an injector, an open or closed pipeline.

[0279] Each orifice may optionally include a ruled or left impact surface positioned downstream of said orifice to modify the shape and trajectory of the flow.

[0280] The device may further comprise at least one deflector downstream of at least one divided solid or liquid outlet orifice and upstream of the at least one contact zone. The deflector makes it possible to modify the shape and trajectory of the flow flowing or projected onto the deflector.

[0281] Contact zone

[0282] The contact zone 20 is delimited by the volume corresponding to the zone(s) of intersection of the at least one directed flow of at least one divided solid 12 and the at least one directed flow of at least one liquid 11.

[0283] Thus, when the device is not in operation, the contact zone 20 is not tangible, is not materialized by a defined envelope. It is not delimited by solid surfaces, nor physical walls, like a tank or a reactor. It is located in the zone(s) of intersection of future flows to come.

[0284] The contact zone 20 is located downstream of the at least one outlet orifice 15 of the at least one directed flow of divided solid 12 and of the at least one orifice 13 for supplying the at least one directed flow of liquid 11.

[0285] A contact zone 20 between the flows is not delimited by material walls. This makes it possible to limit the need for cleaning the activation zone of the interactions and affinities between the species present. Since the directed flows are generated in a gaseous environment, in particular in air, the contact zone is therefore also in a gaseous environment, preferably in the air. In a preferred configuration, the contact zone 20 may be located in a chassis of the device in which the method is implemented, the walls of said chassis not delimiting the contact zone 20, but simply being the fairing of the device. It may be located in a space visible to the user or not, behind a cover. The contact zone 20 is not located in a pipe or a closed conduit for the circulation of a liquid.

[0286] Depending on the geometries of the divided solid flow(s) 12 and the liquid flow(s) 11 and their arrangement, the meeting of the flows may form one or more contact zones 20. By definition of the at least one directed flow of at least one divided solid 12 and the at least one directed flow of at least one liquid 11, intersecting, there is at least one contact zone 20.

[0287] The device is preferably free from a contact zone of the at least one divided solid flow and the at least one liquid flow delimited by solid surfaces, such as for example a mixing tank or a reactor.

[0288] The device is preferably devoid of a mixing member for the at least one divided solid with the at least one liquid. This makes it possible to reduce the energy consumption of the device, to limit the cleaning requirements of the device and to limit homogenization times. By mixing member is meant any material means activating the mixing of the flows, mobile or not, directly in contact or not with said flows, to activate the product. Examples include a mixing mobile, a planetary mixer, a centrifugal mixer, a gyroscopic mixer, a vibrating mixer, a static mixer, a microfluidic mixer.

[0289] Means of control and command

[0290] The device comprises means 50 for controlling and / or commanding the at least one first directed flow of at least one divided solid 12 and the at least one second directed flow of at least one liquid 11.

[0291] The control and / or command means 50 allow the management of operations upstream of the supply of directed flows of divided solid and liquid.

[0292] In particular, the control and / or piloting command means 50 allow, depending on the embodiment, the movement of the storage means, the activation of the supply of divided solid or liquid, the transformation of a solid into divided solid and / or liquid, the transformation of a solid into divided solid and / or liquid, the transformation of a first solid into a second divided solid of equivalent diameter smaller than that of the first divided solid, the volumetric and / or mass dosage of divided solid and liquid, the piloting of the orientation of the flows, the flow rates, the positioning and the orientation of any means of collecting or guiding the at least one flow of product leaving the contact zone.

[0293] The means 50 for controlling and / or controlling the at least one first flow and the at least one second flow may comprise flow control means, such as flow sensors, and / or adjustable valves; means for moving and controlling the orientation of the flows relative to each other; means for controlling the section of the flows; a computer program stored on a memory configured to implement the contacting of the at least one divided solid and the at least one liquid in at least one contact zone.

[0294] The computer program can also be configured, depending on the embodiment, to implement the movement of the storage means, the activation of the supply of divided solid or liquid, the transformation of a solid into divided solid and / or liquid, the transformation of a solid into divided solid and / or liquid, the transformation of a first solid into a second divided solid of equivalent diameter smaller than that of the first divided solid, the volumetric and / or mass dosage of divided solid and liquid, the control of the orientation of the flows, the flow rates, the positioning and the orientation of any means of collecting or guiding the at least one flow of product leaving the contact zone.

[0295] Interfacing means

[0296] The means 60 for interfacing with a user comprise, for example, display means, touch and / or voice control means.

[0297] For example, in domestic or public use, the user selects, using the interface means 60, between desired product types and / or certain of their characteristics (volume, texture, color, fragrance, etc.).

[0298] For example, in industrial use, the user selects, using the interface means 60, parameter values ​​such as flow rate, duration, orientation and flow section values ​​according to the nature and volume of the desired product.

[0299] The values ​​selected by the user and received by the interface means 60 can then be transmitted to the control and / or command means 50 to control the flows of divided solid and liquid in accordance with these selections.

[0300] Product collection area

[0301] The device may further comprise any means 9 for collecting or collecting the at least one directed flow of product leaving the at least one contact zone, in particular on a surface, in a container, in a tank or in a mold. The container may be of the flask, pot, bottle, sachet or any other conceivable container type.

[0302] According to another embodiment, the device may further comprise a means for guiding the at least one flow of product exiting the at least one contact zone upstream of the at least one collection or collection means. Such a guiding means makes it possible to channel and direct the flow of product obtained towards one or more collection or collection means and to avoid projections outside of said means. The guiding means is for example a funnel placed above the inlet of a container. The guiding means can be easily rinsed using appropriate control of the at least one flow of liquid.

[0303] According to another embodiment, the device may further comprise a means of contactless energy supply, for example of the ultrasound or microwave type, to the flow of product leaving the at least one contact zone, at the contact zone or downstream. The energy supply means makes it possible, for example, to accelerate certain interactions in the finished or semi-finished product.

[0304] The device shown in Figures 42 and 43 comprises a reservoir, in particular a hopper 8, for storing divided solid, an endless screw 2 for feeding the divided solid from the hopper 8 to a vertical channel 7 opening at its end 17 at an outlet orifice 15 for a directed flow of divided solid. A motor 3 fixed to its support 5, by means of a coupler 4, drives the screw 2 in a sleeve 1, allowing the metering of the divided solid in the channel 7.

[0305] The device then comprises a nozzle holder 6 and three liquid spray nozzles 10 arranged around the outlet orifice 15 of a directed flow of divided solid. Each nozzle 10 is provided with an orifice 13 for supplying a directed flow of liquid, to form a total of three directed flows of liquid 11. Each nozzle 10 forms an angle of approximately 30° with the end 17 of the channel 7.

[0306] The device comprises a container 9 having an opening 16 for recovering the product 25. The container 9 is placed under the outlet orifice 15 for divided solid and under the orifices 13 for supplying liquid.

[0307] In operation, the divided solid flows by gravity through the outlet orifice 15 to form a directed flow of divided solid 12 towards the opening 16 of the container 9. The liquid(s) are supplied by means of conduits (not shown) into each nozzle 10. The directed flows of liquid 11 and the directed flow of divided solid 12 are brought into contact simultaneously in a contact zone 20. The contact zone 20 between the directed flow of divided solid 12 and the three directed flows of liquid 11 is delimited by the volume corresponding to the intersection zone of the directed flow of divided solid 12 and the three directed flows of liquid 11. It is external to the device, and is not delimited by material walls. Here, it is located below the orifices 15, 13 and above the opening 16 of the container 9.

[0308] The directed flow of divided solid 12 extends vertically, downwards. The divided solid outlet 15 has a section oriented horizontally, in other words perpendicular to the directed flow of divided solid.

[0309] The divided solid stream 12 has a vertically extending axis of symmetry. The liquid supply ports 13 are arranged substantially at the same level as the divided solid outlet port 15 in the vertical direction. The divided solid outlet port 15 is arranged between the liquid supply ports 13. More specifically, the liquid supply ports 13 are arranged symmetrically (rotated by 120 degrees) around the divided solid outlet port 15. The directed liquid streams 11 converge towards the same contact area and extend symmetrically around the axis of symmetry of the divided solid stream 12.

[0310] As seen in Figure 44, in the contact zone 20, the divided solid flow 12 and the three liquid flows 11 are intersecting, producing a product 25. The product 25 thus formed flows inside the container 9 through its opening 16. The at least one first orifice (in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 42 and 43, the outlet orifice of a directed flow of divided solid) 15 is continuously supplied with the at least one divided solid, preferably by the endless screw 2 (and the hopper 8). The at least one second orifice (in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 42 and 43, the liquid supply orifices) 13 is continuously supplied with at least one liquid. The outgoing product 15 flows continuously and forms an outgoing fluid in continuous phase (not disjointed droplets). The gravitational flow of the divided solid, in other words of the first directed flow, takes place in a vertical and downward direction. The at least one divided solid is preferably not propelled by a gas (air). Thus, the at least one first directed solid flow not being accompanied by a gas flow (which would necessarily be under pressure, at least slightly) would risk disturbing (moving away from the at least one divided solid) the at least one second flow (in the illustrated embodiment, the three liquid flows 11) and reducing the effectiveness of the contacting of the at least one first divided solid flow with the at least one second liquid flow.

[0311] The device further comprises means for controlling and / or commanding the at least one first directed flow of divided solid 12 and the at least one second directed flow of liquid 11 (not shown), and means for interfacing with a user (not shown).

[0312] A variant of this device is shown in Figure 45. The device here further comprises a means for guiding the directed flow of product 25 downstream of the contact zone, in particular a funnel 30 placed above the inlet of the container. The product flows along the funnel 30 before flowing inside the container 9.

[0313] Use of the device and industrial applications

[0314] A third aspect of the invention relates to the use of the device according to the invention by implementing the method according to the invention to manufacture a product from at least one divided solid and at least one liquid.

[0315] In one embodiment, the device allows for use at home, at the point of sale or at use for the preparation of custom-bottled products, in particular semi-liquid or semi-solid gel-type products. For example, for a device for home use, the device may include one or more divided solid reservoirs and one or more liquid reservoirs for the convenience of the device. Each divided solid or liquid reservoir may be refillable, or in the form of a replaceable cartridge. In this embodiment, the device is compact.

[0316] For a device for public use, in a commercial area for example, it may be envisaged that the device is connected to the drinking water network to supply the at least one second orifice with water. The device may further comprise one or more reservoirs of other liquids, for example additives. The at least one divided solid may be contained in one or more interchangeable reservoirs or cartridges, and / or conveyed to the first orifice by means for supplying divided solids.

[0317] In another embodiment, the device allows the industrial manufacture of finished or semi-finished products. For industrial use, the device can be connected to liquid circulation conduits and / or to means for storing / feeding divided or solid solids. It can comprise one or more intermediate storage means in the form of a hopper. Industrial applications are conceivable, in particular in the cosmetic field, for example in the preparation of hydrogel or other products, in the agri-food field, for example for the reconstitution of textured products such as purees, in the medical field, in the field of three-dimensional (3D) printing processes, for example of composite, hydrogel, or cementitious compositions such as concrete, in the pharmaceutical field, in the field of hydrogel production or in the field of construction, in particular in the field of the production of composite materials comprising concrete, metal, or ceramics, in the fields of synthetic chemistry, fine or specialty chemistry, in the field of inks, paints and coatings, in the field of lubricants, in the field of recycling or recovery of waste and co-products, in the field of energy storage,or in the field of biotechnology,

[0318] The product obtained according to the invention may be a cosmetic product, pharmaceutical product, topical product, skin or hair care product, hygiene product, detergent product, medical product, composite product or a composite material, dental repair product, agricultural product, agri-food product, construction product (cementitious composition, concrete, mortar, glue), ceramic product, lubricant product, coating, printing or decoration product, an energy storage product, a biotechnological product, a chemical product or an ingredient.

[0319] In one example, the method according to the invention is implemented in a device for the automatic preparation and supply of bottled gel products at the point of sale.

[0320] In another example, the method according to the invention is implemented in an industrial context of production of gelled product.

[0321] In the case of the production of gelled products, the use of the device to implement the process offers a variety of anhydrous input forms to be transformed if necessary into divided solid, the proximity of the use of water and the reduction of environmental costs related to the use of liquid ingredients composed of water, and allows to reduce the need for additives.

[0322] In yet another example, the method is implemented in a three-dimensional (3D) printing device. Composite 3D printing aims to deposit a mixture of powder, in particular metallic or ceramic, and resin. The liquids comprise one or more thermoplastic or thermosetting resins, and possible additives such as a plasticizer. The divided solids comprise metallic, mineral or organic powders or a mixture of these categories. In the case of thermosetting resin, the liquid streams could consist respectively of the resin and hardener parts and possibly one or more additives.

[0323] 3D printing of hydrogel is a variant of the first example described above adapted to ensure the deposition of a gel on a deposition surface. In this variant, the deposition surface may be mobile.

[0324] The following examples best illustrate the advantages of the invention in a clear and non-limiting manner.

[0325] Example 1

[0326] In a first embodiment, the method described above is implemented in a device for preparing and supplying a gelled product from divided solids in the form of powders, tablets or lozenges, water and any liquid additives such as flavorings or colorings. The divided solids contain at least one additive of the gelling, surfactant, disintegrating, or other type.

[0327] To be suitable for domestic use, the device includes in particular a removable water tank to be filled by the user, connected to a system for pumping, dosing and supplying water to nozzles. Liquid additive cartridges can be considered as an option, also connected to a system for volumetric dosing, pumping and supplying additives to nozzles. Optionally, a water-additive mixing module allows the second flow to be directly supplied with liquid mixture.

[0328] The device includes a module for grinding the divided solid, dosing by weigher or other means and an intermediate hopper.

[0329] The product flow leaving the contact zone is collected in a container.

[0330] In a point-of-sale configuration, said device is preferably connected to the running water network or carries one or more water bottles. The device includes various cartridges for storing tablets or powders, as well as additive cartridges.

[0331] In an industrial use configuration, the device may comprise means for connection to hoppers storing the ingredients of interest.

[0332] Example 2

[0333] In a second example, the method is implemented to prepare individual portions of freeze-dried food puree. The liquids include a mixture of water and milk. The divided solid is composed of potato flakes, stored in a pod or cartridge depending on the size and nature of the device (domestic or at a dispensing point).

[0334] The liquid and flake flows are metered so as to respect the ratio allowing to obtain a finished product with the consistency of a puree. The duration of the simultaneous injection of the liquid and the flakes is adjusted by the control means and / or flow control command so that the contact time between flakes and water in the contact zone allows sufficient hydration of the flakes.

[0335] The resulting product completes its swelling in the final bottle, without mechanical stirring being necessary to obtain a homogeneous portion of puree in the bottle. This embodiment typically makes it possible to obtain a 100g portion in less than 2 minutes.

[0336] An alternative embodiment would include a solid comprising the flakes and milk powder, the injected liquid then being only water.

[0337] Example 3

[0338] In a third example, the method is implemented to prepare a mortar from a cementitious mixture and from water from a running water network.

[0339] The device is arranged to allow continuous mixing in a 2 to 1 ratio. In particular, the orifice dimensions, divided solid feed rate, nozzle selection and water pressure are adjusted to ensure optimal hydration of the divided solid flow.

[0340] The product obtained at the outlet can be collected in a mold or on a surface, optionally guided by a guide. This embodiment typically makes it possible to obtain a volume of 500 cm3 in less than 1 minute.

Claims

Claims

1. A method of preparing a product, the method comprising at least the steps of: Contacting at least one first directed flow of at least one divided solid exiting from at least one first orifice, and at least one second directed flow of at least one liquid exiting from at least one second orifice, in at least one contact zone, the at least one directed flow of at least one divided solid and the at least one directed flow of at least one liquid being intersecting, Production of the product in said at least one contact zone, during the duration of contacting the flows by activating physical, physicochemical and / or chemical interactions and affinities of the species brought into contact in the previous step, Providing at least one directed flow of the product exiting the at least one contact zone, said at least one contact zone being delimited by the volume corresponding to the zone(s) of intersection of the at least one directed flow of at least one divided solid and the at least one directed flow of at least one liquid.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one contact zone is in a gaseous environment.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one orifice through which the at least one directed flow of the at least one divided solid is supplied has a minimum characteristic dimension less than or equal to 1000 times, preferably 100 times the maximum equivalent diameter of the solid particles of the divided solid and greater than one time said maximum equivalent diameter.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each orifice has a surface of circular, ellipsoidal, rectangular, square, trapezoidal, or annular geometry.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the minimum characteristic dimension of the at least one contact zone is less than a thousand times the maximum equivalent diameter of the particles of the at least one divided solid.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one contact area has a volume of between 1 mm 3 and 5 m 3 .

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one directed flow of at least one liquid is supplied at a pressure of between 0.1 bar and 10 bar.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the output product is provided in liquid, semi-liquid, pasty, semi-solid or divided solid form.

9. Device for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for manufacturing a product, the device comprising: Means for storing (8) and / or supplying (2, 7) said at least one divided solid and said at least one liquid, Means for dosing (40) the at least one divided solid and / or the at least one liquid, At least one first outlet orifice (15) for the at least one first directed flow of the at least one divided solid (12) and at least one second orifice (13) for supplying the at least one second directed flow of the at least one liquid (11) arranged so as to bring into contact the at least one first directed flow of at least one divided solid (12) and the at least one second directed flow of at least one liquid (11) so that they are intersecting in at least one contact zone (20), thus causing the activation of physical, physicochemical and / or chemical interaction and affinities of the species brought into contact in the at least one contact zone (20) and the supply of at least one directed flow of product (25) leaving the at least one contact zone (20), Means (50) for controlling and / or commanding the at least one first directed flow of at least one divided solid (12) and the at least one second directed flow of at least one liquid (11), Means (60) for interfacing with a user.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that it is devoid of a member for mixing the at least one divided solid with the at least one liquid.

11. Device according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a means (30) for guiding the at least one directed flow of product (25) downstream of the at least one contact zone (20).

12. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising any means (9) for collecting or collecting the at least one directed flow of product (25) leaving the at least one contact zone (20).

13. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein each orifice (13, 15) is positioned in a nozzle, a spray nozzle, an injector, an open or closed pipeline.

14. Use of a device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for producing a product in the field of cosmetics, in the agri-food field, in the medical field, in the field of three-dimensional printing processes, in the pharmaceutical field, in the field of hydrogel production, in the field of construction, in the fields of synthetic chemistry, fine or specialty chemistry, in the field of inks, paints and coatings, in the field of lubricants, in the field of recycling or recovery of waste and co-products, in the field of energy storage, or in the field of biotechnologies.

15. Use according to claim 14, wherein the product obtained is a cosmetic product, pharmaceutical product, topical product, skin care product or hair, hygiene product, detergent product, medical product, composite product or composite material, dental repair product, agricultural product, agri-food product, construction product, ceramic product, lubricant product, coating, printing or decoration product, an energy storage product, a biotechnological product, a chemical product or an ingredient.