Patent Publication Number: US-8113350-B2

Title: Protection device for a system for packaging a product, such as a cosmetic product

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This document claims priority to French application number FR 0851722, filed Mar. 17, 2008, and U.S. provisional application No. 61/041,068, filed Mar. 31, 2008, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of protection devices for product containers. One described useful application is in the protection of a container that contains a cosmetic product. The term “cosmetic product” is intended to mean a product as defined in Council Directive 93/35/EEC of 14 Jun. 1993. One example of the invention relates in general to a device designed to be fitted onto a product container so as to at least partly cover it. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In the cosmetic field, document US-A1-2006/0285911 describes a cap for blocking or closing off a device for packaging a lipstick provided with a sleeve inside, which the device is intended to be housed and on which ramps are made that cooperate with a lug provided on a ring surrounding the sleeve. A resilient spring is also provided between the bottom of the cap and the packaging device so as to make it easier to extract it from the cap. A closure cap for a lipstick packaging device is also disclosed in document GB 834,486. 
     The closure caps of these documents have in particular the major drawback of comprising a relatively large number of parts in order to protect the packaging devices and to extract them from the cap. 
     Described by document FR-A2-2 617 132, is a container having a maneuverable cap held in a closure position on the container via a peripheral ring provided with means for moving the cap relative to the container. 
     This structure has a relatively complex design, thereby increasing its manufacturing cost. 
     Described by document DE-A1-3426351, is a portable container intended to house a plurality of cosmetic sticks and comprising a body for accommodating the sticks, in which retaining means mounted so as to slide inside the body are provided, in order to be able to be moved between a stick storage position inside the body and a use position in which the sticks project therefrom. This container has in particular the drawback of being very bulky and of complex design. 
     In another technical field, U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,450 describes a cap for a product storage container, which includes a tongue on which hooks for retaining the cap on the container are provided. The tongue is pivotable, so that the cap can be disconnected from the container. A similar cap is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,077. 
     These caps may not provide good sealing of the product contained in the container. This is because, owing to the design of the tongue or tongues, there are passages that may allow the ingress of air or polluting agents into the container that contains the product, thereby possibly modifying the physico-chemical properties of the product. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the present invention is therefore to remedy some of the drawbacks of one or more of the above-noted conventional designs. 
     One aim of the present disclosure is to provide a protection device for a product packaging system that achieves good sealing, especially with regard to the solvents that may be used in the product and/or the ambient air liable to come into contact with the product. 
     Another aim is to provide a device that is easy to manufacture, is inexpensive and able to be transported easily with reduced risk of the device becoming detached from the system. 
     Another aim is to provide a device that can be easily handled and enables the device to be rapidly disconnected from the system. 
     Another aim is to provide a device with improved handleability, while reducing the risk of the system being spontaneously released. 
     Another aim is to provide a compact device. 
     Another aim is to provide a protection device that is particularly suitable for a system containing a cosmetic composition. 
     An example of the invention according to a first aspect is an assembly comprising a system for packaging a cosmetic product and a protection device for protecting the system. The protection device comprises a cap mounted on the system so as to at least partly cover it and at least one releasing means for releasing the system. The releasing means comprises a retaining means, for retaining the system relative to the cap, and an actuating means for actuating the retaining means in order to disconnect the system and the protection device. The retaining means is provided on an inner face of the releasing means, the actuating means being provided on an outer face of the releasing means, on the opposite side from the inner face. This releasing means is of the rocker system type. The protection device typically covers at least 90% of the packaging system. 
     Advantageously, the cap is configured so that a free end edge is flush with an end wall of the packaging system in the covering position. 
     In one embodiment, the packaging system comprises an actuating means for dispensing the product, the retaining means cooperating with a groove made in the actuating means. 
     Preferably, the cap includes means for positioning and blocking the protection device on the packaging system. 
     The retaining means and the actuating means may thus respectively define a retaining surface and an actuating surface, these being respectively provided on an inner face and an outer face, opposite the inner face, of the releasing means. This retaining means and this actuating means may thus extend on either side of the same wall, that is to say a common wall. Considering an axis of elongation of the releasing means and/or of the cap, these means may be provided with axial heights that differ from one another. As a variant or additionally, these means may be provided so as to be radially offset one with respect to the other. 
     In one example, the retaining means is made as one piece with the actuating means. 
     The releasing means may be attached to the cap. Thus, this releasing means may be fixedly anchored to this cap. However, this releasing means may be able to move angularly relative to the cap. To do this, the means may be fastened to the cap, for example by one or more bridges of material produced as one piece with the cap or by the use of pins attached to the cap, especially rotation or pivot pins. 
     In relation to an axis of extension of the cap, the releasing means may extend to an intermediate axial height of the cap. In other words, this releasing means may extend to a certain distance from a lower end surface of the cap and to a certain distance from an upper end surface of the cap. 
     Preferably, the device includes a base for accommodating a container of the system, the base being able to be at least partly fitted inside the cap so as to define a closed chamber for the container. Advantageously, the retaining means comprises snap-fastening means that cooperate with the system or with the accommodating base of the container. The snap-fastening means may include at least one hook that cooperates with a groove made in the system or in the base. This groove may have any other appropriate shape, especially a linear or curved profile cross section. In particular, the groove may have a circular cross section relative to an axis of extension of the device. Preferably, the groove is annular. This arrangement may avoid providing an indexing means between the cap and the container. These snap-fastening means may also comprise a plurality of recesses radially and/or axially spaced apart from one another. 
     Advantageously, the protection device includes covering means attached to the cap in order to at least partly cover the releasing means. 
     In one embodiment, covering means may partially, or even completely, cover the releasing means and in particular the outer face of the releasing means. In one example, these covering means may engage with at least part of the releasing means and also optionally with at least one part of the cap. 
     In one embodiment, the covering means leave the actuating means at least partly free so as to be accessible from the outside. The actuating means may comprise a lug at least partly extending into a housing made on the covering means. 
     The actuating means may be at least partly flush with the covering means. 
     In one embodiment, the covering means extend at least partly into an opening made in the cap. Advantageously, the covering means may be flush with an outer surface of the cap. 
     In another embodiment, the covering means comprise an envelope mounted around the body. 
     The covering means may be made of a different material from that of the body, for example a more flexible one. The covering means may be made of a thermoplastic or an elastomer, for example. The body may be made of a thermoplastic, especially a polyolefin, or a metallic material, for example. 
     Preferably, the releasing means comprises a rocker system. More precisely, this system comprises at least one rotation or pivot pin. This pin may be located between the retaining means and the actuating means, both the means being located axially on either side of the pin. In other words, considering an axis of elongation of the cap or of the releasing means, at least one rotation pin may extend to an intermediate axial height between the retaining means and the actuating means. 
     The device may also include at least one return means capable of making it easier to disconnect the system and the protection device when the actuating means is stressed. The return means or a plurality of the means are advantageously formed by the cap. In other words, the one or more return means are made of one piece with the cap, and especially molded with the cap. 
     In one embodiment, the releasing means is made as one piece with the body. As a variant, the means is attached to the body. 
     In one embodiment, the device comprises a single releasing means. As a variant, the device comprises two diametrically opposed releasing means. 
     The invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to a protection device for a product container, the device comprising a cap intended to be mounted on the container so as to at least partly cover it, and at least one container releasing means placed on the cap. The releasing means comprises a means for retaining the system relative to the cap and a means for actuating the retaining means in order to disconnect the system and the protection device. This releasing means is preferably of a rocker system type. The device further includes covering means attached to the cap in order to at least partly cover the releasing means. 
     One example of the invention also relates, according to a third aspect, to a device for protecting a product container, the device comprising a cap configured to be mounted on the container so as to at least partly cover it and at least one container releasing means placed on the cap. The releasing means comprises a means for retaining the cap relative to the container and a means for actuating the retaining means in order to disconnect the container relative to the protection device. The retaining means is provided on an inner face of the releasing means. The actuating means is provided on an outer face of the releasing means, opposite the inner face. 
     According to a general feature, the device further includes covering means attached to the body in order to at least partly cover the releasing means. 
     The packaging system may include a product applicator. In one example, only the applicator is disconnected from the protection device when the releasing means is activated. 
     One aspect of the invention provides an assembly including a package system configured to hold a product and a protection device that protects the package system. The protection device includes a cap mounted on the package system so as to at least partly cover the package system. The protection device includes at least one release that releases the cap from the package system, the release including a protrusion that connects the package system to the cap, and an actuator that moves the protrusion relative to the package system, the protrusion being provided on an inner face of the release, the actuator being provided on an outer face of the release, on the opposite side from the inner face, the release being configured to pivot about an axis. In one example the protection device covers at least 90% of the package system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Examples of the present invention will be more clearly understood upon reading the detailed description of entirely non-limiting exemplary embodiments illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a protection device for a product packaging/dispensing system according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are perspective and sectional views, respectively, of a base of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective and sectional views, respectively, of a cap of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  are perspective views of covering means for covering the cap of  FIGS. 5 and 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a protection device for a product packaging/dispensing system according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view of a protection device for a product packaging/dispensing system according to a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the device of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  are perspective and sectional views, respectively, of a cap of the device of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view of a cap of a protection device for a product packaging/dispensing system according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a sectional view of a protection device for a product packaging/dispensing system according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of a cap of the device of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a cap of a protection device for a product packaging/dispensing system according to a sixth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 18 and 19  are sectional views of a protection device for a product packaging/dispensing system according to a seventh embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a partial section on a larger scale of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIGS. 21 and 22  are sectional views of a protection device for a product packaging/dispensing system according to an eighth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 23  is an exploded perspective view of the device of  FIGS. 21 and 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a sectional view of a protection device for a product packaging/dispensing system according to a ninth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 25  is an exploded perspective view of the device of  FIG. 24 ; and 
         FIGS. 26 and 27  are perspective views of the device of  FIGS. 24 and 25 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals are utilized to designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show a device, denoted by the general numerical reference  10 . The device is configured to be used to at least partly protect a system  12  for packaging a product. In one example, the product is a cosmetic product. The device  10  is shown in these figures in an assumed vertical position. 
     In the example in question, the packaging system  12  may also dispense a stick S or block of a product, especially a cosmetic product. The stick S may for example be a lipstick, a lip care product, a foundation, an eye shadow, a rouge, a color corrector, a treating or moisturizing composition, a deodorant or a hair care product. 
     As a variant, the protection device  10  may of course be used to protect other types of packaging systems  12  and/or other types of product. The device  10  may for example be associated with a perfume bottle, with a bottle for nail varnish, mascara or gloss, or alternatively with a pot of care cream, a make-up case for rouge, for eye shadow, etc. The cross section of the device  10  may be defined according to that of the object to be protected—for example the cross section may be circular, elliptical or polygonal, such as square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, etc. 
     As will be described in detail later, the device  10  may be especially suitable for properly protecting the product contained so as to limit any ingress of air that might modify the physio-chemical properties of the product. 
     The packaging system  12  typically comprises in particular a drive mechanism  14 , in order to allow the stick S to pass from a storage position to a use position, and an operating member  16  mounted at one of the mechanism so as to cause displacement of the stick S. Here, the operating member  16  has striations over its entire outer surface. The drive mechanism  14  comprises an outer envelope or sleeve, a guiding sheath mounted in the envelope, and a cup for supporting the stick S, the cup being mounted so as to slide inside the sheath. The operating member  16  is typically fastened to the envelope and designed to be rotated with the envelope. The envelope and the sheath conventionally include grooves so as to allow the support cup to undergo axial displacement during rotation of the operating member  16 . 
     In the depicted example, the protection device  10  comprises a protective cap  20  intended to at least partly cover the packaging system  12  and a base  22  for supporting the system. The protective cap  20  and the base  22  define here a chamber inside which the system  12  is entirely housed. 
     The support base  22  comprises a body  24  of substantially annular general shape and provided with a radial bottom wall  26  having a radial dimension slightly greater than that of the body  24  and flaring outwards so as to form an outer frustoconical surface. The body  24  extends along a vertical axe X-X′ forming the longitudinal axis of the protection device  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the support base  22  also includes an annular stud  28  extending from the bottom wall  26  towards the upper free end of the body  24 . The stud  28  has an axial dimension substantially smaller than that of the body  24 . The body  24 , the bottom wall  26  and the stud  28  serve to mount the operating member  16  and part of the drive mechanism  14  inside the base  22 . 
     In order to drive the operating member  16  when the support base  22  is rotated, the base also includes radial lugs  27  joining the stud  28  and arranged to cooperate with corresponding housings made on the operating member  16 . In the depicted example, there are four lugs  27  uniformly distributed around the circumference of the stud  28 . The support base  22  also includes an annular groove  29  made on the outer surface of the body  24 , near its upper free end, as will be described in greater detail later. Advantageously, the support base  22  may be made as a single part by molding a thermoplastic, for example polypropylene (PP). 
     Again referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the protective cap  20  has an annular body  30 , of axis X-X′, closed off at an upper axial end by a radial wall  32  and having, at the opposite axial end, an internal surface  34  matching the shape of and in contact with the outer frustoconical surface of the radial wall  26  of the support base  22 . The body  24  of the base is housed inside the body  30  and comes into radial contact with the latter. It typically extends substantially up to mid-height of the body  30 . A large-diameter edge of the internal surface  34  may be extended radially outwards by a transverse end surface  35  or free edge of the body  30 . 
     The protective cap  20  is shaped so that the transverse end surface  35  is flush with the lower end of the radial wall  26  of the support base  22 . The support base  22  in this example is therefore entirely housed inside the protective cap  20 , and the protective cap  20  entirely covers the packaging system  12 . In this position, neither the support base  22  nor the packaging system  12  can therefore be directly handled by the user. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the protective cap  20  includes, provided on the body  30 , two axially facing generally C-shaped notches  36 . The notches  36  define a tongue  38  connected to the body via two circumferentially opposed bridges of material or hinges  40 . The hinges  40  form a pivot pin for the tongue  38 . 
     The tongue  38  has, on the inside, a radial protrusion, for example, hook  42 , extending towards the inside and arranged to cooperate with the annular groove  29  of the support base  22  so as to retain the base and the packaging system  12  inside the protective cap  20 . The hook  42 , located on the inner face of the tongue  38 , typically has a smaller diameter than that of the body  24  of the base  22  so that there is diametral interference between these two parts, at the hook  42  and the groove  29 . The hook  42  thus forms a means for axially retaining the support base  22  and the packaging system  12  relative to the protective cap  20  so as to form a unitary assembly. In other words, the hook  42  in this example forms snap-fastening means for snap-fastening the protective cap  20  onto the support base  22 . The hook  42  is located axially on a portion of the tongue  38  located beneath the hinges  40 . In the embodiment illustrated, the protective cap  20  has a single hook. As a variant, it is possible to provide a larger number of hooks. 
     Through the cooperation of the frustoconical surface  34  of the cap  20  with the radial wall  26  of the base  22 , it is possible to achieve correct relative axial positioning of the base and the cap  20 . The hook  42  can thus be positioned radially opposite the groove  29 . Furthermore, this cooperation also improves the ability of the two elements to be kept in position by friction. 
     To enable the protective cap  20  to be disconnected from the base  22  inside which the packaging system  12  is housed, the tongue  38  also typically includes, on the outside, a radial lug  44  forming a means for actuating the hook  42 . The lug  44  is provided on the outer surface of the tongue  38  and extends radially outwards. It is located axially on the opposite side from the hook  42  in relation to the hinges  40 . Here, the lug  44  has a cylindrical general shape. Of course, other examples provide a lug of substantially different general shape, for example one having a rotationally symmetrical, for example polygonal, cross-section. 
     As indicated above, in this example, the hinges  40  form a pivot pin for the tongue  38 . The lug  44  and the hook  42  are located axially on either side of this pivot pin. Consequently, when a user presses on the lug  44 , exerting a force directed towards the inside of the cap  20 , the tongue  38  undergoes a pivoting movement, which has the effect of moving the hook  42  away, towards the outside, and of releasing the support base  22  having the packaging system  12 . The base  22  can then slide under gravity so as to allow the user to grip it for the purpose of using the system  12 . The inner face of the tongue  38  having the hook  42  therefore forms a surface for retaining the support base  22  and the system  12 , the opposite outer face provided with the lug  44  having an actuating surface for moving the hook  42 . 
     In other words, the hook  42 , for axially retaining the support base  22  and the system  12 , and the lug  44 , enabling the hook  42  to be disengaged from the groove  29 , form a releasing means for releasing the support base  22  and the system  12  relative to the protective cap  20 . The hook  42 , the lug  44 , the tongue  38 , the hinges  40  and the body  30  are made as one piece. Advantageously, the protective cap  20  is made of a single part by molding a thermoplastic, for example a polyolefin (PO). As a variant, the protective cap  20  may be made of a metallic material, such as steel, for example from a thin sheet rolled up and bonded so as to form a cylinder. 
     The notches  36  defining the tongue  38  are provided in the thickness of the body  30  so that the lug  44  is approximately flush with the outer surface of the body  30 . A blind indentation or recess  36  is provided on the body  30  around the notches  36 . The recess  46  may for example be of polygonal general shape, such as a rectangular or square shape, or else it may be elliptical or circular for example. In this example, the recess  46  extends axially over the body  30  over a height approximately equal to half that of the body. The recess  46  is bounded circumferentially by opposed lateral edges located close to the hinges  40 . These lateral edges define the long sides of the recess  46  in the depicted embodiment. 
     To limit the ingress of air or contaminants inside the protective cap  20 , the device  10  includes a cover or covering means  50  for covering the notches  36 , the hinges  40  and the tongue  38  from which the hook  42  and the lug  44  stem. The covering means  50  has a body  51  that matches the shape of the recess  46  and is housed inside the latter. 
     To enable the covering means  50  to be retained on the body  30 , studs  52 , two in number in the depicted example, are provided on the body  51 , and corresponding fastening holes  56  are formed in the bottom of the recess  46 . The thickness of the body  51  is chosen so as to be flush with the cylindrical outer surface of the protective cap  20 . The body  51  may be fastened by any suitable means in the recess  46 , for example by bonding. 
     The body  51  also includes a through-housing  54  to allow the lug  44  to pass through it so that it is accessible to the user from the outside. The lug  44  is, in one example, approximately flush with the outer surface of the body  51 . The body  51  may be made of an elastomer, such as a rubber, for example, natural rubber (NR) or polyisoprene (IR), polybutadiene (BR), a butadiene-styrene copolymer (SBR), polychloroprene (CR), an acrylontrile-butadiene copolymer (NBR), a silicone, etc., or an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer (OTP) or a vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer (VTP) having for example a thickness of between 0.5 and 1 mm, or else by molding a thermoplastic resin that is more flexible than that used for the protective cap  20 , such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) or very low-density polyethylene (VLDPE). The thermoplastic resin of the body  51  may for example have a Shore A hardness of between 30 and 70, especially between 50 and 70. The Shore A hardness of the protective cap  20  may be greater than 80. 
     By using the covering means  50 , it is possible to reduce, at the releasing means, the ingress of air or contaminants into the cap  20 , and especially in the region of the product stick S, which might impair the physico-chemical properties thereof. The covering means  50  also make it possible in this region to limit the risk of loss of volatile compounds contained in the stick S. 
     Thus, the covering means  50  form a seal mounted on the cap  20  so as to better seal the assembly formed with the support base  22 . 
     In other words, the covering means  50  may provide, on the one hand, a static sealing function with the body  30  of the cap  20 , and, on the other hand, a dynamic sealing function with the lug  44  when the user presses on it to disconnect the cap  20  and the support base  22 . Here the term “static sealing” is understood to mean the sealing which is produced between two parts that do not undergo relative movement and the term “dynamic sealing” is understood to mean the sealing between two parts that do undergo a relative movement. 
     Moreover, the covering means  50  may improve the handleability of the protective cap  20  in so far as the material used for the body  51  is may be sufficiently flexible or rough for the user&#39;s fingers to grip better thereon. 
     In this embodiment, the protective cap  20  has a single means for releasing the system  12 , comprising the hook  42  and the lug  44 . An alternative example provides two diametrically opposed releasing means. Thus, to release the system  12 , it is necessary to press on the two releasing means, thereby limiting the risk of unintentionally disconnecting the system  12  and the protective cap  20 , for example when in a handbag. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , in which the identical elements bear the same references, the device  10  includes covering means  58  taking the form of an envelope surrounding the protective cap  20  over its entire height and coming into contact therewith. The covering means  58  comprise, on the inside and made as one piece with the envelope, a body (not visible) identical to the body  51  of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the lug  44  may have a substantially greater thickness so as to be flush with the outer surface of the envelope of the covering means  58  so as to be easily accessible to the user from the outside. The covering means  58  may be fastened to the protective cap by any suitable means, for example by bonding, by two-shot injection molding, by overmolding, etc. . . . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 10 to 13 , in which the elements similar to the first embodiment bear the same references, the device  10  comprises a protective cap  60 , for protecting the packaging system  12 , a cover or envelope  62  mounted around the cap, and means  64 ,  66  for exerting an axial force between these two elements. 
     The protective cap  60  typically includes a tubular body  68  of axis X-X′, surrounding the body  24  of the support base  22  and bearing against the latter. It includes, at a lower axial end, an internal surface  70  of corresponding shape to and in contact with the outer frustoconical surface of the radial wall  26  of the support base  22 . A lower transverse end surface  72  is flush with the lower end of the radial wall  26  of the support base  22 . The protective cap  60  is typically shaped so as to leave an upper end of the packaging system  12  free. In other words, the upper end of the system projects axially with respect to the upper end of the protective cap  60 . However, the cap  60  may axially cover at least 90% of the system  12  and preferably 100% of the system. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the protective cap  60  includes two identical means for releasing the system  12 , these being diametrically opposed and of a design similar to the releasing means of the first embodiment described above. Alternatively, the protective cap  60  may have a single means for releasing the system  12 . 
     To obtain one of the releasing means, the protective cap  60  may include, provided on the body  68 , two generally C-shaped notches  74  defining a tongue  76  connected to the body  68  via two circumferentially opposed hinges  78 . Similarly to the first embodiment described, the tongue  76  has, on the inside, a radial hook  80  extending towards the inside and arranged to cooperate with the annular groove  29  of the support base  22  so as to retain the base and the packaging system  12 . The tongue  76  also includes, on the outside, a radial lug  82  forming a means for actuating the hook  80 , as was described in the first embodiment. The second releasing means similarly includes a tongue  84  connected to the body via hinges  85 , a hook  86  and a lug  88  for actuating the hook. In this embodiment, the radial dimension of the lugs  82 ,  88  is designed so that they project slightly radially outwards relative to the body  68 . 
     Again referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the envelope  62  has an annular body  90  of axis X-X′, surrounding the protective cap  60  and coming into contact therewith. The body  10  is closed off at an upper axial end by a radial wall  92  located at some distance from the upper end of the packaging system  12  and left free by the cap  60 . The envelope  62  has, at the opposite axial end, a transverse surface  94  flush with the transverse surface  72  of the protective cap  60 . The envelope  62  also has two diametrically opposed circular openings  96 ,  98  provided so as to allow access to the lugs  82  and  88  of the cap  60  from the outside. The lugs  82  and  88  are approximately flush with the outer surface of the body  90 . The envelope  62  forms means for covering the protective cap  60  so as to limit the ingress of air or contaminants into the latter. The envelope  62  entirely covers the packaging system  12 . Apart from the lugs  82 ,  88  and the transverse surface  72 , the envelope  62  covers the protective cap  60 . The envelope  62  may be made of a metallic material, such as steel, or else may be obtained by molding a thermoplastic, for example a polyolefin (PO), or else may be made of wood. 
     As indicated above, the device  10  includes means  64 ,  66  for exerting an axial force between the radial wall  92  of the envelope  62  and the packaging system  12 . These means may respectively comprise an elastic return member, such as a helical spring  64 , and a retainer  66  for supporting the member. 
     In the depicted example, the support retainer  66  has includes an annular centering portion  100  fitted onto that upper end of the system  12  which is left free by the protective cap  60 , which portion is extended axially at an upper end by an external skirt  102  extending up to close to the radial wall  92  of the envelope  62  and an internal skirt  104  of smaller axial dimension. The skirts  102 ,  104  are coaxial with the axis X-X′. The internal skirt  104  is extended, at a radially inward upper end, by a radial portion  106  which is itself extended at a smaller-diameter edge by an annular stud  108  extending axially towards the radial wall  90  of the envelope  62 . The stud  108  serves to center the helical spring  64 , one axial end of which bears against the radial wall  106 . The opposite end of the spring  64  bears against the radial wall  92  of the envelope  62 . 
     When access to the packaging system  12  is desired, the user exerts an inwardly directed force on the lugs  82  and  88  so as to move the hooks  80  and  86  outwards. The spring  64  helps the system  12  to slide out of the envelope  62  and the protective cap  60 . In this regard, a slight radial clearance (not shown) is provided between the system and the centering portion  100  of the retainer  62 . 
     The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 14  differs from the previously described embodiment in that the protective cap  60  has circumferentially opposed bridges of material or hinges  89  that connect the tongue  76  to the body  68 . The hinges  89  are upwardly offset with respect to the hinges  78 , being located approximately level with the lug  82 . Similarly, additional hinges are also provided between the tongue  84  (not visible in this figure) and the body  68  of the cap. Provision of such additional tongues makes it more difficult to pivot the tongues of the cap  60  and to release the packaging system. 
     The embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , on which the identical elements bear the same references, differs from the previously described embodiment in that the protective cap  60  has, at its upper end, fins or tongues  110  extending obliquely upwards and bearing against the upper end of the packaging system  12 . Each tongue  110  is extended, from a small-diameter edge, by an inwardly extending radial portion. Here, there are three tongues  110  uniformly distributed around the circumference of the body  68  of the protective cap  60 . The tongues  110  form means for applying downward axial stress on the packaging system  12 . These tongues are integrated into or made as one piece with the body  68 . 
     Thus, when the user presses on the lugs  82  and  88  in order to disconnect the base  22  relative to the protective cap  60 , the tongues  110  tend to push the packaging system  12  axially downwards. In this regard, when the system  12  is housed inside the protective cap  60 , it deforms the tongues axially upward so as to obtain this downward axial force when the lugs  82  and  88  are pressed. The protective cap  60  is advantageously made from a rolled-up thin metal sheet on which the tongues  110  are formed beforehand, and then the ends of the sheet are butted together and bonded so as to form a tubular cap. As a variant, it would be possible to provide a cap  60  which is open at one point on its circumference. 
     The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 17  differs from the first embodiment in that the protective cap  20  includes a through-window  120  provided in the body  30 , the releasing means, including the tongue  38  bounded by the notches  36 , the hinges  40 , the lug  44  and the hook  42  (not visible in the figure), being fastened by any suitable means inside the window. The releasing means here comprises a rectangular support frame  122  connected to the hinges  40  and enabling the releasing means to be fastened by any suitable means inside the window  120 . 
     In other embodiments, it would also be possible to provide, in the case of the second and third embodiments of the invention, similar releasing means attached to the body of the protective cap. 
     In the embodiments described above, the means for axially retaining the protective cap cooperates with the support base so as to constitute the unitary assembly formed by the cap and the product packaging system. However, it is also possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, to provide a protection device that cooperates directly with the packaging system so as to retain the device on the system. 
       FIGS. 18 and 19  show a protection device  200  cooperating directly with a packaging system  202  in order to retain the device on the system. 
     The system  202  is designed for packaging various products such as a cosmetic product of the nail varnish, mascara, hair or gloss type. The depicted system comprises a container  204  for the cosmetic product and a closure member  206  that bears an applicator  207  serving to apply the product contained in the container. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the container  204  has a body provided with a closed lower end forming the bottom  208  and with an open opposed end forming the neck  210 . On the inside, it defines a space  212  filled with the cosmetic product. Provided between the neck  210  and the peripheral wall of the container  204  is a radial shoulder  214 . The container  204  extends along a vertical axis X-X′ forming the longitudinal axis of the system  202 . The neck  210  is centered on the axis X-X′. 
     The closure member  206  itself comprises a closure cap  216  of cylindrical general shape, a lower radial transverse surface of which is provided so as to bear against the upper end of the neck  210  so as to close off the container  204 . This surface is extended axially downwards by a skirt  218  centered on the axis X-X′. The skirt  218  extends down to the immediate vicinity of the shoulder  214  of the container  204  and radially surrounds the neck  210 , coming into contact therewith. 
     As indicated above, the closure member  206  is provided with an applicator  207 . This applicator  207  is carried by a mount or stem  220  integral with the cap  216  and extending axially downwards from the lower transverse surface thereof. The stem  220  may be molded with the cap  216  and extends along the axis X-X′ when the closure member  206  is mounted on the neck  210  of the container. The length of the stem  220  corresponds overall to the height of the container  204  so that, when the closure member  216  is mounted on the neck, the applicator  207  is in the bottom of the container. 
     The applicator  207  may comprise a foam, a felt, a flocked end-piece, a frit, a woven fabric, a sponge, a fine brush or other brush, with a twisted or non-twisted core, a molded brush, a comb or else a porous thermoplastic so as to allow the product contained in the container  204  to be applied. 
     As indicated above, the skirt  218  and the cap  216  of the closure member  206  bear against the neck  210  of the container  204 , thereby sealing it. 
     To obtain good sealing between the closure member  206  and the neck  210 , the latter has, on the inside, a bore  222  of frustoconical general shape flaring towards the inside of the container  204  and designed to cooperate with complementary frustoconical surface  224  provided at the root of the stem  220 . 
     The cooperation of the frustoconical surface  224  of the stem  220  with the bore  222  of the neck  210  promotes good sealing between the closure member  206  and the container  204 . In other words, the frustoconical surface  224  of the stem  220  seals off the bore  222  of the neck  210  so as to prevent the product contained inside the container  204  from flowing to the outside. The stem  220  is held sealed in the neck  210  of the container. Furthermore, this cooperation also enables these two elements to be maintained in axial relative position by friction. 
     In this example, the protection device  200  comprises a cap  230 , arranged to cover the packaging system  12 , a cover or envelope  232  mounted around the cap, and return means  234  for exerting an axial force on the container  204  for the purpose of maintaining a good seal between the closure member  206  and the container. 
     The protective cap  230  is advantageously made as a single part by molding a thermoplastic, for example a polyolefin (PO). As a variant, the protective cap  230  may be made from a metallic material, such as steel, for example from a thin sheet wound up and bonded so as to form a cylinder. 
     The protective cap  230  typically has a tubular body  236  extending along the axis X-X′, surrounding the peripheral wall of the container  204 . The body  236  includes, at a lower axial end, an attached end-piece forming a bottom  238  located axially at some distance from the bottom  208  of the container  204 . The bottom  238  may be attached to the body  236  by any suitable means, for example by screwing, bonding or snap-fastening. As will be described in greater detail later, the return means  234  are placed axially between the bottom  208  of the container  204  and the bottom  238  of the cap  230 . 
     The cap  230  has, at an upper axial end, an upper transverse end surface  240  flush with the upper end of the closure member  206  and radially surrounding it. The system  202  is therefore entirely housed inside the protective cap  230 . The protective cap  230  entirely covers the system  202  in relation to the axial direction. In this position, no part of the system  202  can therefore be handled by the user. 
     The protective cap  230  includes a means for releasing the system  202 , the means being of a similar design to one of the two releasing means of the third embodiment of the invention described above. 
     In one example of the releasing means, the protective cap  230  has, provided on the body  236  near its upper axial end, two generally C shaped notches  242  defining an axial tongue  244  connected to the body via two circumferentially opposed bridges of material or hinges (not visible). These hinges form a pivot pin for the tongue  244 . 
     The tongue  244  has, on the inside, a radial hook  246  extending inwards and intended to cooperate with an annular groove  248  provided on the outer surface of the cap  216  of the closure member  206 , near its upper end. 
     The hook  246  and the groove  248  serve to retain the closure member  206 , and more generally the system  202 , inside the protective cap  230 . The hook  246 , provided on the inner face of the tongue  244 , has a smaller diameter than that of the cap  216  of the closure member  206  so that there is diametral interference between these two parts, at the hook  246  and the groove  248 . The hook  246  forms a means for axially retaining the packaging system  12  relative to the protective cap  230  so as to form a unitary assembly. In other words, the hook  246  forms means for snap-fastening the cap  230  onto the closure member  206 . The hook  246  is located axially on a portion of the tongue  244  located above the hinges, bearing the articulation of the tongue. As shown in  FIG. 20  and as will be described in more details below, the axial dimension  249  of the groove  248  is greater than the axial dimension of the hook  246  notably to compensate the manufacturing tolerances. 
     To allow the cap  230  to be disconnected from the system  202 , the tongue  244  also includes, on the outside, a radial lug  250  forming a means for actuating the hook  242 . The lug  250  is provided on the outer surface of the tongue  244  and extends radially outwards. It is located axially on the opposite side from the hook  246  when considering the hinges allowing articulation of the tongue  244 . Here, the lug  250  has a cylindrical general shape. Another aspect provides a lug of substantially different shape, having for example a rotationally symmetrical cross section. One example provides a polygonal cross section. 
     As indicated above, the hinges of the tongue  244  form a pivot pin for the latter. The lug  250  and the hook  246  are located axially on either side of this pivot pin. Consequently, when a user presses on the lug  250 , exerting a force directed towards the inside of the cap  230 , the tongue  244  pivots, this having the effect of moving the hook  246  away to the outside and of releasing the cap  216  of the closure member  206 , and more generally the system  202 . 
     The return means  234  are used to make it easier for the system  12  to slide out of the protective cap  230  when the releasing means are actuated. The return means may comprise a helical spring, one end of which bears against the bottom  238  of the cap  230  and the other end of which bears against the bottom  208  of the container  204 . The spring is dimensioned so as to be stressed or compressed axially between the cap  230  and the container  204  when the hook  246  is engaged with the groove  248  of the closure member  206  in order to retain the system  202  inside the device  200 . The return means  234  thus promote good overall sealing insofar as the force exerted by these means helps to maintain the axial contact between the neck  210  and the cap  216  of the closure member  206  and to jam the neck  210  of the container against the frustoconical surface  224  of the stem  220 . 
     Once the hook  246  has moved away from the groove  248 , the return means  234  help the system  12  to slide out of the protective cap  230  of the device  200 , and more precisely the cap  216  of the closure member  206 . 
     To prevent the container  204  from being extracted from the protective cap  230 , the latter has, on the inside, a radial shoulder  252  located axially beneath the lug  250  and forming a stop surface that cooperates with the shoulder  214  of the container, as illustrated in  FIG. 19 , when the user grips the closure member  206 . Thus, the container  204  remains housed inside the protective cap  230  of the device  200  and the closure member  206 , bearing the applicator  207 , is disconnected from the container  204  for the purpose of applying the product. 
     When the closure member  206  is gripped by the user and separated from the container  204 , the bore  222  of the neck  210  of the container enables the surplus product present on the applicator  207  to be removed, so that only the correct dose to be applied remains on the applicator. In this regard, the minimum diameter of the bore  222  is slightly less than the diameter of the applicator  207  so as to promote greater wiping by increasing the pressure exerted by the applicator  207  on the bore  222 , this being particularly useful when there is considerable surplus product. Thus, when the applicator  207  is extracted from the container  204 , the applicator rubs against the bore  222  and is therefore wiped. The bore  222  thus provides a wiping member. 
     After the applying of the product, the user can put the applicator  207  back into the container  204  and the closure member  206  into the protective cap  230 . In order to make sure of the good sealing between the stem  220  of the applicator  207  and the neck  210  of the container  204 , the bottom  238  comprises, on the inside, a radial shoulder  239  oriented axially towards the container  204 . When the user inserts the applicator  207  into the container  204 , the closure member  206  bears against the neck  210  and the container  204  moves axially towards the bottom  238  into the cap  230  until the bottom  208  comes into contact against the shoulder  209 . Thus, under the effect of the axial force exerted by the user, a good wedging of the stem  200  into the bore  222  of the container  204  is obtained. When the bottom  208  of the container bears against the shoulder  239 , the return means  234  are axially compressed. Once the user releases the pressure exerted on the closure member  206 , the return means  234  generate the axial movement of the container  204  and of the closure member  206 . The hook  246  thus cooperates with the lower surface of the groove  248  as shown in  FIG. 20 . In order to allow the displacement of the closure member  206  and of the container  204  until the bottom  208  comes into contact against the shoulder  239 , the axial dimension  249  of the groove  248  is greater than the axial gap  251  between the bottom  208  and the shoulder  239  when the hook  246  cooperates with the lower surface of the groove  248 . More precisely, the axial gap  251  between the upper surface of the hook  246  and the upper surface of the groove  248  is at least equal to the gap  251 . 
     The generally annular-shaped envelope  232  of axis X-X′ surrounds the protective cap  230  and comes into contact with the latter. The lower and upper axial ends of the envelope  232  are flush with the lower surface of the bottom  238  and the upper transverse surface  240 , respectively. The envelope  232  has a circular opening  254  designed to allow access to the stud  250  of the cap  230  from the outside. The stud  250  is dimensioned so as to be at least flush with the outer surface of the envelope  232 . The envelope  232  forms means for covering the cap  230  so as to limit the ingress of air or contaminants into the latter. Apart from the lug  250  and the lower and upper transverse surfaces  240 , the envelope  232  typically covers the protective cap  230 . Alternatively, the envelope  232  may also cover the lower axial end of the bottom. In another embodiment, the bottom  238  and the cap are made as one integral part. The envelope  232  may be made of a metallic material such as steel, or it may be obtained by molding a thermoplastic, for example a polyolefin (PO), or else made of wood. 
     Variants of all the embodiments described above provide a protective cap that does not have a housing for passage of the actuating lug or lugs but does include, as a replacement, on the outer surface of the cap, a logo, a pictogram or else a region of different color from that of the rest of the cap so as to indicate to the user where pressure is to be applied in order to disconnect the product packaging system and the cap. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 21 to 23 , in which the elements similar to the previously described embodiment bear the same references, the packaging system  202  includes a wiping member  260  mounted in the neck  210  of the container  204 . 
     The wiping member  260  includes an axial portion  262  sealingly mounted in the neck  210  and extended, at an upper axial end, by a radial flange  264  bearing against the upper end of the neck  210  and the lower end of the cap  216  of the closure member  206 . The axial portion  262  has, near the flange  264 , a radial bead  266  extending towards the outside and cooperating with a groove (not referenced) of the neck  210  in order to provide axial retention of the wiping member  260  inside the neck. The root of the stem  220  is held sealed inside the axial portion  262  of the wiping member  260 . 
     The wiping member  260  has a radial portion  268  which inwardly extends the lower end of the axial portion  262  and has an orifice (not referenced) capable of allowing the applicator  207  to pass through it. This orifice has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the applicator so as to provide greater wiping when there is considerable surplus product present on the applicator  207 . 
     In this embodiment, the device  200  comprises mainly a protective cap  270 , made in two parts, a sheath  272  for releasing the system  202 , and the return means  234  for exerting an axial force on the container  204 . 
     The protective cap  270  has a lower part  274  extended axially by an upper part  276 . The lower part  274  has a body  278  extending along the axis X-X′ and designed to accommodate most of the container  204 . The body  278  is extended, at a lower axial end, by a bottom  280  located axially at a certain distance from the bottom  208  of the container  204 . The return means  234  bear against the bottom  208  and the bottom  280 . 
     The upper part  276  bears against the upper end of the body  278  of the lower part  274  and extends axially along its extension. The upper part  276  is fastened to the lower part  274  by any suitable means, for example by screwing, bonding or snap-fastening. 
     The upper part  276  has an axial portion  282  extending along the extension of the body  278  and internally defining a space for accommodating the upper end of the container  204 , the sheath  272  and the closure member  206 . The axial portion  282  is extended towards the inside, at an upper axial end, by a radial portion  284  flush with the upper end of the closure member  206 . In the depicted example, the system  202  is entirely housed inside the protective cap  270 . In this position, no part of the system  202  can be directly handled by the user. The radial portion  284  is axially extended, at a small-diameter edge, by a short axial skirt  286  extending towards the neck  210  of the container. The skirt  286  is coaxial with the axis X-X′ and enables the cap  216  of the closure member  206  to be guided inside the protection device  200 . 
     The releasing sheath  272  typically has a tubular body  290  of axis X-X′ surrounding the upper end of the container  204  and the cap  216  of the closure member  206 . A lower end of the body  290  is placed radially between the container  204  and the body  278  of the lower part  274 , coming radially into contact against these two elements. This lower end of the body  290  typically includes radial protuberances  292  spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction and designed to be housed inside corresponding grooves  294  provided in the body  278  of the lower part  274  so as to prevent the sheath  272  from rotating relative to the protective cap  270 . The upper axial end of the body  290  is placed radially between the skirt  286  and the radial portion  282  and bears axially against the radial portion  284 . The sheath  272  includes a means for releasing the system  202 , of identical design to that of the previously described embodiment. 
     To obtain the releasing means, the sheath  272  includes, provided on the body  290 , two generally C-shaped notches  294  that define an axial tongue  296  connected to the body  290  via two circumferentially opposed hinges  298 . Similarly to the previously described embodiment, the tongue  296  includes, on the inside, a radial hook  300  extending towards the inside and intended to cooperate with the annular groove  248  of the cap  216  of the closure member  206  in order to retain the closure member and the packaging system  202  inside the protection device  200 . The tongue  296  also includes, on the outside, a radial lug  302  able to form a means for actuating the hook  300 . The lug  302  is located axially on the opposite side from the hook  300  when considering the hinges  298 . 
     In this embodiment, the return means  234  also enhance the ability to provide good overall sealing, given that the force exerted by these means helps to maintain the axial contact between the wiping member  260  and the cap  216  of the closure member  206 . 
     Advantageously, the upper part  276  of the protective cap  270  includes, on its outer surface, a logo, a pictogram or a region of different color from that of the rest of the cap so as to indicate to the user where pressure should be applied in order to exert a force on the lug  302  and to disconnect the packaging system  202  from the protection device  200 . To this end, the protective cap  270  is made with a material having enough elasticity to allow its deformation to actuate the lug  302 . 
     To accomplish this disconnection, the user may alternatively press on the upper surface of the closure member  206 , thereby also moving the hook  300  and releasing the closure member  206  and the applicator  207 . 
     To prevent the container  204  from being extracted from the protective cap  270  during this operation, the sheath  272  typically includes, on the inside, a radial shoulder  304  located axially between the lug  302  and the hook  300  and forming a stop surface that cooperates with the shoulder  214  of the container  204 , as illustrated in  FIG. 21 , when the user grips the closure member  206 . Thus, the container  204  remains housed inside the protective cap  270  when the closure member  206  is disconnected from the container  204  and the cap  270 , for the purpose of applying the product. 
     The embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 24 to 27 , in which the identical elements bear the same references, differs from the previously described embodiment only in that the lug  302  has a greater radial dimension so as to be able to extend through a circular opening  306  provided on the upper part  276  of the protective cap  270  so that the lug  302  is directly accessible from the outside. 
     Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described therein.