Patent Publication Number: US-2020275759-A1

Title: Refillable device for packaging a cosmetic product

Description:
The present invention relates to a refillable device for packaging a cosmetic product, and to a removable container intended to be implemented in such a refillable device. The invention also relates to a cosmetic product refill and a method for replacing the removable container of such a device. 
     In the cosmetic field in particular, users are particularly sensitive to the aesthetics of packaging devices. However, the cost of aesthetic packaging devices is high and further increases the price of the cosmetics commercially sold in this form. 
     An idea has emerged which consists of providing an aesthetic packaging device, including a separate container that is less aesthetic but has cheaper packaging. Preferably, the container is removable so that the packaging device can be refilled by replacing the removable container. 
     For example, application FR-A-2995199 describes a pot for a cosmetic product comprising a casing forming a neck defining an upper edge of the casing, and an insert containing the cosmetic product received in the casing. A lid can be screwed onto an external thread on the outer surface of the neck. However, in that document, the insert is not intended to be replaced. As a result, the main disadvantage of this pot is that it is not refillable. 
     To make such an insert removable, FR-A-2745276 suggests forming a small hole between the bottom of the casing and the housing receiving the insert, so as to be able to pass a thin object through it and push the insert from below. 
     However, depending on the material from which the insert is made, the operation of pushing the insert from below can simply lead to deforming the insert, with a risk of expelling cosmetic product. In addition, it is necessary to use a tool that is insertable into the hole in the bottom of the casing. 
     In addition, application TWM365672 describes a pot comprising a casing having a housing of non-circular cross-section, receiving a cosmetic product refill of cross-section complementary to the housing. A ring is screwed onto the casing, above the refill, leaving a threaded edge of the refill protruding from the ring. A lid is screwed onto this threaded edge. 
     The pot as described in TWM365672 is not very aesthetic, however, with backlash existing between the ring and the threaded edge of the refill to allow the passage of the threaded edge into the opening formed by the ring. 
     An object of the invention is to provide a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product that does not have at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, the invention aims to provide a refillable packaging device in which the removable container can easily be replaced, while ensuring satisfactory attachment of the removable container, particularly when the lid of the packaging device is closed. 
     To this end, the invention proposes a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product, comprising:
         a removable container containing cosmetic product,   an outer casing defining a receiving housing for the removable container, the receiving housing for the removable container being open at an outlet in the outer casing, the removable container being attached to the outer casing by the elastic interlocking of complementary reliefs, the removable container being reversibly removable from the outer casing,   a lid adapted to seal closed the outlet of the housing in the outer casing, wherein the lid is adapted to be attached to one among the outer casing and the removable container so as to lock in place the elastic interlocking of the complementary reliefs.       

     Thus, advantageously, once the lid is attached on the removable container, it is no longer possible to remove the removable container from the outer casing. This eliminates any risk of inadvertently removing the removable container from the outer casing. 
     Nevertheless, it remains possible to replace the removable container, in particular by taking off the lid before removing the removable container from the outer casing. 
     Advantageously, this removal of the removable container is reversible, meaning that the removed removable container can be reattached to the outer casing by the elastic interlocking of complementary reliefs. 
     According to preferred embodiments, the refillable packaging device according to the invention comprises one or more of the following features, alone or in combination:
         the lid is adapted to be directly attached to one among the outer casing and the removable container, preferably to the removable container, so as to lock in place the elastic interlocking of the complementary reliefs;   the removable container forms an external thread and the lid forms a complementary internal thread so that the lid is directly attached to the removable container by screwing;   the removable container is attached to the outer casing by means of a ferrule, the ferrule being directly attached on the outer casing, the removable container being elastically interlocked on the ferrule by the engagement of complementary reliefs of the ferrule and removable container:   the removable container is directly attached on the outer casing by the elastic interlocking of complementary reliefs of the removable container and outer casing;   one of the complementary reliefs is a groove and another of the complementary reliefs is a tongue having a bead adapted to be received in the groove;   the removable container has a bottom, and the bottom of the removable container is shaped to cause imbalance of the removable container when the bottom of the removable container is placed on a flat support, the bottom of the removable container being formed for example by a protruding relief, the bottom of the removable container preferably further being formed by an apex of the protruding relief;   the bottom is created by a face of a protruding relief, preferably flat, the center of said face being such that the line joining said center with the center of gravity of the removable container forms a non-straight angle with the direction of the weight of said removable container, when the bottom thereof is placed on a flat support;   the outer casing has a bottom, the bottom of the outer casing preferably being recessed with respect to an area of contact of the outer casing bearing on a flat support;   the outer casing has a through-hole from the bottom of the outer casing and into the receiving housing of the removable container, the diameter of the through-hole preferably being greater than or equal to 10 mm, or possibly even greater than or equal to 15 mm;   the outer casing has an opening that is opposite to the outlet with respect to the housing in the outer casing, the opening being of dimensions that allow inserting the removable container into the housing in the outer casing.   the ferrule has at least one tongue, preferably at least three tongues, more preferably at least three tongues that are uniformly distributed angularly, and the removable container has at least one groove adapted to receive beads of the tongue or tongues;   the removable container has at least one tongue, preferably at least three tongues, more preferably at least three tongues that are uniformly distributed angularly, and the outer casing has at least one groove adapted to receive beads of the tongue or tongues;   the removable container forms a rim having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, the rim being adapted to cover an edge of the outer casing around the outlet;   the lid is adapted to be attached on the removable container by screwing, elastic interlocking, clamping, or by means of a bayonet attachment;   the lid has a radially inner wall provided with a thread intended to engage with a complementary thread on the removable container;   the packaging device comprises a gasket of cross-section substantially complementary to the cross-section of the orifice of the removable container, the gasket preferably being attached to the lid, the gasket sealing closed the orifice when the lid is attached to the removable container;   the packaging device comprises a gasket, preferably attached to the lid, the gasket extending substantially along the edge of the orifice of the removable container such that the gasket is received in or around the orifice of the removable container when the lid is attached to the removable container;   the lid is of one among: wood, a ceramic material, metal, porcelain, rigid foam for example polyurethane, natural stone, synthetic stone, stone powder mixed with a binder, injection-molded, leather, glass, crystal, plastic, particularly thermosetting plastic or thermoplastic plastic, and/or in particular plastic that is frosted and/or varnished and/or painted and/or metallized and/or galvanized and/or provided with visual effects, natural fabric, or synthetic fabric;   the outer casing and/or the lid are translucent, possibly even transparent;   the outer casing is of one among: glass, metal, ceramic, porcelain, crystal, and plastic, particularly polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, ionomer resin such as the ethylene-vinyl copolymer known by the trade name Surlyn®, natural stone, synthetic stone, ceramic, porcelain, wood, and urea-formaldehyde; and   the ferrule is of one among the following materials: plastic, particularly thermoplastic, copolyester, polyamide, polyolefin for example polypropylene, polyacetal, or metal, particularly stainless steel or aluminum.       

     According to another aspect, the invention relates to a removable container for cosmetic product for a refillable packaging device as described above in any of its combinations, the removable container having a bottom, an orifice, and a side wall between the bottom and the orifice, wherein the removable container is adapted to be attached to the outer casing by the elastic interlocking of complementary reliefs, the removable container being reversibly removable from the outer casing. 
     The removable container is advantageously adapted to allow the attachment of a lid to seal closed the orifice, in particular by screwing. 
     Preferably, the removable container comprises cosmetic product, preferably in the form of cream, paste, powder, gel, liquid, or single-unit solid. 
     Preferably, the removable container comprises a membrane seal sealing closed the orifice. 
     Also preferably, the removable container is of one among: aluminum, an aluminum alloy, steel, glass, plastic, ceramic, porcelain, cardboard, particularly coated cardboard or a multi-ply cardboard coated with other materials such as metal foils or plastic sheets. 
     According to another aspect, the invention relates to a cosmetic product refill comprising a removable container as described above in any of its combinations and a lid, preferably attached to the removable container. 
     The cosmetic product refill may comprise a gasket sandwiched between the removable container and the lid. 
     Finally, according to another aspect, the invention relates to a method for replacing a removable container in a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product as described above in any of its combinations, the method comprising the steps of:
         detaching the lid from the refillable device;   removing the removable container from the refillable device;   providing a new removable container,   attaching the removable container in the outer casing by fitting together the elastically interlocking complementary reliefs; and   attaching the lid of the refillable device or a new lid on the removable container or on the outer casing, this attachment of the lid on the removable container locking in place the elastic interlocking of the elastically interlocking complementary reliefs.       

    
    
     
       The invention will be better understood from the description which follows, given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  represents an exploded view of a first example of a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view from below of an empty removable container that can be used in the refillable device for packaging cosmetic product of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  represents a longitudinal section of the refillable device for packaging cosmetic product of  FIG. 1 , without its lid; 
         FIGS. 4 to 7  illustrate, in partial sectional views, steps of assembling the removable container of  FIG. 2  in the refillable device for packaging cosmetic product of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows a detailed cross-section of the refillable device for packaging cosmetic product of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of an outer casing of a second example of a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product to which a removable container is attached; 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view from below of an empty removable container that can be used in the refillable device for packaging cosmetic product according to the second example; 
         FIG. 11  is a longitudinal section of the outer casing and removable container of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  shows a detailed longitudinal section of the second example of a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product; 
         FIG. 13  shows a detailed cross-section of the second example of a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product; 
         FIG. 14  shows an exploded view of a third example of a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product; 
         FIG. 15  shows the third example of a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product, viewed in longitudinal section without its lid; 
         FIG. 16  shows the third example of a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product, viewed in longitudinal section; 
         FIG. 17  shows the third example of a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product, viewed in cross-section; 
         FIG. 18  shows details of the assembly of a removable container on an outer casing of the third example of a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product, viewed in longitudinal section; 
         FIG. 19  is a view similar to  FIG. 18  with the lid assembled on the refillable device for packaging cosmetic product; 
         FIG. 20  shows details of the refillable device for packaging cosmetic product according to the third example, viewed in cross-section; 
         FIG. 21  is an exploded view of a fourth example of a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product; 
         FIG. 22  is a front view of the fourth example of a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product; 
         FIG. 23  is a partial cutaway view, along plane XXIII, of the fourth example of a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product; and 
         FIG. 24  shows details XXIV of  FIG. 23 . 
     
    
    
     In the remainder of the description, elements that are identical or of identical function bear the same reference. For brevity in the present description, these elements are not described in detail in each example. Only the differences between the embodiments are described in detail. 
       FIGS. 1 to 8  illustrate a first example of a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product  10  (hereinafter a packaging device  10 ). This packaging device  10  essentially comprises a removable container  12  of cosmetic product, an outer casing  14  receiving the removable container  12 , a lid  16 , and a gasket  18 . The gasket  18  is intended to prevent the product cosmetic contained in the removable container  12  from drying out. 
     More specifically, the outer casing  14  defines a housing  20  intended to receive at least part of the removable container  12 . The housing  20  is open at an outlet  22  in the outer casing  14 . The outer casing  14  also forms an edge  24  around the outlet  22 . Here, the outer casing  14  is shaped to allow placing the outer casing  14  stably on a flat support. As illustrated, the outer casing  14  rests on such a flat support by a bearing area  26  surrounding a bottom  28  which is recessed relative to the bearing area  26 . In a variant, the bottom  28  is not recessed relative to the bearing area  26 ; on the contrary, it is part of this bearing area  26 . The bearing area  26  has for example a closed contour, in particular a circular or elliptical contour, or any other form. Alternatively, the bearing area  26  is formed, as illustrated, by feet separate from the outer casing  14 . The bottom  28  of the outer casing  14  may possibly have a through-hole  30 , leading from the bottom  28 , at the exterior of the outer casing  14 , and into the housing  20 . The hole  30  advantageously allows the passage of a finger. To allow this, the hole  30  may have a diameter of at least 10 mm, preferably at least 15 mm. According to an embodiment not shown, the flat bottom  28  of the outer casing  14  is at least partially covered by a label, the label possibly covering the hole  30 . The label may for example bear any information relating to the brand of the product and/or its composition and/or its method of application and/or its possible expiration date. 
     Between the bearing area  26  and the edge  24  of the outlet  22 , the outer casing  14  essentially forms a lower portion  32  of substantially parallelepiped external shape, and an upper portion  34  of tubular shape forming a neck. Of course, this shape of the outer casing  14  is not limiting, as it may have substantially any shape, in particular any shape intended to ensure the aesthetics of the packaging device  10 . A substantially circular groove  36  is made at the base of the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 . A vertical notch  38  is also made in the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 . 
     The outer casing  14  is preferably translucent, possibly even transparent. This gives the outer casing  14  and the packaging device  10  an aesthetic effect appreciated by users. The outer casing  14  may also be opaque. 
     The outer casing  14  may in particular be made of one among: glass, metal, ceramic, porcelain, crystal, and plastic, particularly polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, ionomer resin such as the ethylene-vinyl copolymer known by the trade name Surlyn®, natural stone, synthetic stone, ceramic, porcelain, wood, and urea-formaldehyde. 
     Furthermore, the removable container  12  has a bottom  40 , an orifice  42 , and a side wall  44  between the bottom  40  and the orifice  42 . Here, the bottom  40  of the removable container  12  has the shape of a nipple, substantially flat. As a result, when the removable container  12  is placed with the bottom  40  on a flat support, the removable container  12  is unbalanced. This makes it more difficult to use the removable container  12  when it is not assembled in the outer casing  14 . This is particularly true in the case where the cosmetic product contained in the removable container is in the form of powder, liquid, or cream, which tend to flow out of the removable container  12  when it is not kept vertical. 
     Moreover, according to the example of  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the side wall  44  of the removable container  12  has a substantially hemispherical shape, flared towards the orifice  42 . However, other shapes of the side wall  44  of the removable container  12  are conceivable. However, the side wall  44  of the removable container  12  preferably has a flared shape from the bottom  40  to the orifice  42 , to facilitate user access to all of the cosmetic product contained in the removable container  12 . 
     Here, the side wall  44  of the removable container  12  forms a rim  46  around the orifice  42 . In other words, the side wall  44  is folded around the orifice  42 . The rim  46  is shaped to receive the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 . In particular, the width of this rim  46  is substantially equal to the width of the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 . Also, a fold  48  radially surrounding the rim  46  externally, is of a length substantially equal to the height of the neck  34  of the outer casing  14  plus the width of the groove  36  formed at the base of the neck  34 . On its radially outer face, the fold  48  has an external thread  50 . 
     The fold  48  also has at least one tongue  52 . In the current case, the fold  48  has three tongues  52 . The tongues  52  here are uniformly distributed angularly on the fold  48 . The tongues  52  are arranged under the external thread  50 , meaning between the external thread  50  and the free end  54  of the fold  48 . The tongues  52  are cut in the fold  48 . In other words, the tongues  52  are separated from the rest of the fold  48  by two spaces, arranged one on each side of each of the tongues  52 . At its lower end and on its radially inner face, each tongue  52  has a bead  56 , its cross-section being substantially complementary to the cross-section of the groove  36  at the base of the neck of the outer casing  14 . 
     Finally, a stop  58  is provided on the radially inner face of the fold  48 . The stop  58  is created in the form of a relief protruding from the radially inner face of the fold  48 , extending primarily in the direction of the X axis, the center line of the refillable device  10  for packaging cosmetic product. The stop  58  is shaped to be received in the notch  38  formed in the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 . This stop  58  can thus allow indexing of the removable container  12  on the outer casing  14 . In other words, the stop  58  engaging with the notch  38  makes it possible to fix the relative angular position of the removable container  12  with respect to the outer casing  14 , about the X axis. 
     The removable container  12  may be made in particular of aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, glass, plastic, ceramic, porcelain, cardboard, particularly coated cardboard or multi-ply cardboard coated with other materials such as metal foils or plastic sheets. Depending on the materials used, the creation of the removable container is more or less easy and therefore expensive. More noble materials such as porcelain, ceramic, or glass may be chosen to ensure an aesthetic and high-quality effect which is appreciated and desired by users. The use of these materials can also contribute to the aesthetic effect of the packaging device  10 , particularly when the outer casing  14  is translucent or transparent. 
     The removable container  12  may in particular comprise a cosmetic product in the form of cream, paste, powder, gel, liquid, or single-unit solid. 
     Finally, the lid  16  is adapted to seal closed the orifice  42  of the removable container  12 . 
     The lid  16  has an outer wall  60  which can take any desired shape, in particular in order to obtain an aesthetic effect of the packaging device  10 . 
     An inner wall  62  of the lid  16  defines an open cavity. This inner wall  62  is provided with a thread  64 . The thread  64  allows attaching the lid  16  on the removable container  12  by engagement with the external thread  50  on the fold  48  of the removable container  12 . Preferably, the lid  16  and the removable container  12  are shaped to clamp the gasket  18  when the lid  16  is attached on the removable container  12 . In particular, as is for example visible in  FIG. 5 , when the lid  16  is attached on the removable container  12 , the gasket  18  is clamped between the bottom  66  of the lid and the rim  46  of the removable container  12 , in particular the top of the rim  46  of the removable container  12 . 
     The lid  16  may be translucent, possibly even transparent, or conversely may be opaque. 
     The lid  16  is for example made of one among wood, a ceramic material, metal, porcelain, rigid foam for example polyurethane, natural stone, synthetic stone, stone powder mixed with a binder, injection-molded, leather, glass, crystal, plastic, particularly thermosetting plastic such as urea-formaldehyde or thermoplastic plastic, and/or in particular plastic that is frosted and/or varnished and/or painted and/or metallized and/or galvanized and/or provided with visual effects, natural fabric, or synthetic fabric, or any other known material for creating a lid. 
     The packaging device  10  may be sold fully assembled. Alternatively, the packaging device  10  is sold as a kit. In that case, the assembly of such a packaging device  10  may be carried out as follows. 
     Firstly, as illustrated by  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the removable container  12  is partially inserted into the housing  20  formed by the outer casing  14 . Due to this partial insertion, the beads  56  at the end of the tongues  52  of the removable container  12  are not elastically interlocking with the complementary groove  36  formed at the base of the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 . In this position, the tongues  52  are elastically deformed. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the beads  56  may be arranged substantially opposite the groove  36  at the base of the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 . Thus, preferably, the insertion of the removable container  12  into the housing  20  is done to a sufficiently large depth that the stop  58  on the inner face of the fold  48  is received in the notch  38  formed in the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 . 
     Next, the removable container  12  is pushed towards the outer casing  14  so that the beads  56  are received in the groove  36 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The elastic interlocking (or “snap-fitting”) of the removable container  12  on the outer casing  14  is thus enabled. More particularly, it is possible to fix the removable container  12  on the outer casing by elastically interlocking the beads  56  of the tongues  52  of the removable container  12  with the complementary groove  36  formed at the base of the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 . 
     Preferably, in this position the tongues  52  are not elastically deformed. 
     Finally, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the lid  16  is screwed onto the removable container  12 . The screwing of the lid  16  onto the removable container makes it possible to lock the elastic interlocking of the removable container  12  with the outer casing. Indeed, as is particularly visible in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the lid  16 , screwed on the removable container  12 , prevents any elastic deformation of the tongues  52  which would allow the beads  56  of the tongues  52  to withdrawn from the groove  36  at the base of the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 . In the position where the lid  16  is screwed on the removable container  14 , the fold  48  and the tongues  52  in particular are sandwiched, preferably substantially without backlash, between the inner wall  62  of the lid  16  and the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 . 
     It should be noted here that the screwing of the lid  60  on the removable container  12  is facilitated because the stop  58  is received in the notch  38  in the neck  34  of the removable container. This stop  58  thus restricts the relative rotation of the removable container  12  with respect to the outer casing  14 . Also, while holding the outer casing  14  with one hand, the lid  16  can be screwed onto the removable container  12  with the other hand. 
     It is of particular interest that the lid  16  is attached on the removable container  12 . Indeed, the attaching reliefs (here a thread, but other fastening means can be envisaged, in particular elastically interlocking reliefs for example) may contain deposits of cosmetic product. By replacing the removable container  12  and/or the lid  16 , these deposits of cosmetic product are eliminated. In addition, this makes it possible to market refills composed of a removable container  12  and a lid  16 , which allows regularly changing the shape of the lid  16  and thus changing the shape of the refillable device for packaging cosmetic product  10 . The shape and/or color of the lid may also be changed according to the cosmetic product in the associated removable container  12  in order to form a cosmetic product refill. 
     The removable container  12  may be provided with a membrane seal. This membrane seal may be removed from the removable container  12 , before or after its insertion into the outer casing  14 . The membrane seal, possibly provided with a gasket, seals the removable container  12  before it is opened. Advantageously, the membrane seal cannot be replaced on the removable container  12 , so the cosmetic product cannot be preserved after opening if not in the packaging device  10 . Indeed, only the packaging device  10  allows closing the open removable container  12 , by means of the lid  16 , while providing a suitable seal by means of the gasket  18 . 
     Once the entire contents of the removable container  12  have been used, the user can remove the removable container  12  from the packaging device  10 . To remove the removable container  12 , a user must first remove the lid  16 . Only then can the user remove the removable container  12 . The removal of the removable container  12  out of the outer casing  14  may for example be done by pushing on the removable container  12  through the opening  30  in the bottom  28  of the outer casing  14 , or preferably by pulling on the removable container or on one of the tabs  52  to release the corresponding bead  56  from the groove  36 . 
     Interestingly, the removal of the removable container  12  from the outer casing  14  can be done reversibly. In other words, this removal is achieved without damage to the removable container  12  or outer casing  14 . In particular, the tabs  52  are not plastically deformed, which would prevent them from returning to their original shape, nor are they torn. These tabs  52  can thus again allow the beads  56  to be elastically fitted into the groove  36 . The removable container  12  can thus be reused or can be assembled and disassembled multiple times on an outer casing. 
     Once the old removable container  12  has been removed, the user can then insert a new removable container  12  by proceeding as described above. 
       FIGS. 9 to 13  illustrate a variant  100  of the refillable device for packaging cosmetic product  10  according to the first example described. 
     In this variant, the tabs  52  on the fold  48  of the removable container  12  form not only a bead  56  received in the groove  36  at the base of the neck  34  of the outer casing, but also a bead  102 . This bead  102  is oriented radially outward to the removable container  12 . Bead  102  allows, by engagement with the thread  64  inside the lid, gripping the tabs  52  even more intimately between the lid  18  and the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 , as is particularly visible in  FIG. 13 . Indeed, this bead  102  oriented radially outward restricts or even nullifies any backlash between the lid  16  and the tab  52 , at the free end  54  of the tab  52 . This reduced play is particularly visible by comparing  FIGS. 7 and 12 . 
     Finally,  FIGS. 14 to 20  illustrate a third example  200  of a refillable device for packaging cosmetic product. 
     According to this example, the removable container  12  is not directly attached on the outer casing  14 . The removable container  12  is attached to the outer casing. 
     Here, “directly attached on” is understood to mean that the attachment occurs at at least one surface of the removable container and a surface of the outer casing  14  which are in contact with one another. In other words, the removable container  12  is directly connected to the outer casing  14 . In particular, in the case of elastic interlocking, “directly attached on” means that one elastically interlocking relief is created by the removable container  12  while the other elastically interlocking relief is formed by the outer casing  14 . 
     “Attached to” means, more generally, that although the removable container  12  is made integral with the outer casing  14 , the removable container  12  may not be directly connected to the outer casing  14 . In particular, the attachment may not occur at surfaces of the outer casing and the removable container that are in contact. However, there may be contact between the removable container  12  and the outer casing  14 , but this contact is not of a type that integrally secures the removable container  12  and outer casing  14 . This integral securing can then be carried out indirectly, by means of one or more intermediate parts. 
     Thus, in the refillable device for the packaging of a cosmetic product  200  according to  FIGS. 13 to 20 , the removable container  12  is attached to the outer casing  14  by means of a ferrule  202 . Here, the ferrule  202  forms a first collar  204  of large diameter, a second collar  206  of small diameter, and a ring-shaped portion  208  which connects the first and second collars  204 ,  206  together. The second collar  206  extends over substantially the entire height of the ferrule  202 . Conversely, the first collar  204  extends over only a portion of the height of the ferrule  202 . In particular, the first collar  204  extends over substantially half the height of the ferrule  202 . The ferrule  202  thus has an “h” cross-section. 
     The first collar  204  forms reliefs  210  on its radially inner face, intended to be received in complementary housings  212  created in the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 . It should be noted here that the outer casing  14  is without a circular groove  36  at the base of the neck  34 . The housings  212  may in particular be formed as flat areas  214  or recesses  216  in the radially outer surface of the neck  34 . The reliefs  210  on the first collar  204  may in particular take the form of tongues extending primarily in a radial direction. 
     The ferrule  202  may be shaped to be tightly mounted on the neck  34  of the outer casing. The radial distance between the first and second collars  204 ,  206  is then equal to or even substantially less than the thickness of the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 . The height of the neck  34  is substantially equal to the height of the first collar  204  such that when the ferrule is mounted tightly on the neck  33 , the top of the neck  34  is bearing against the ring-shaped portion  208  of the ferrule, while the free end of the first collar  204  bears against the portion of the outer casing  34  at the base of the neck  34 . 
     The second collar  206  forms reliefs  218 , on a lower portion intended to be oriented towards the outer casing  14 . As is more particularly visible in  FIG. 14 , these reliefs  218  have a substantially half-disk shape, its base being oriented downward. 
     The second collar  206  also forms tabs  220 , on an upper portion intended to be oriented opposite the outer casing  14 . These tabs  220  have a bead  222  oriented radially inward. The tabs  220  may be implemented substantially identically to the tabs  52  of the first and second examples described above. 
     Finally, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 14 to 20 , the removable container  12  has housings  224  on its radially outer surface, of a shape substantially complementary to the reliefs  218  formed on the radially inner wall of the lower portion of the first collar  204 . 
     The removable container  12  also has a circular groove  226  on its radially outer surface and, between the circular groove  226  and a free end  228  of its side surface  44 , a thread  50  intended to engage with a complementary thread  64  of the lid  16 . 
     The assembly of the refillable device for packaging cosmetic product  200  according to  FIG. 14  can be carried out as follows. 
     Firstly, the ferrule  202  is mounted on the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 . This assembly may be implemented by forcibly inserting the neck  34  of the outer casing  14  into the space defined by the first and second collars  204 ,  206  and the ring-shaped portion  208 . During this insertion, the reliefs  210  formed on the radially inner face of the first collar  204  are inserted into the housings  212  formed in the radially outer surface of the neck  34  of the outer casing  14 . Relative rotation of the ferrule  202  with respect to the outer casing is thus restricted or even prevented. The ferrule  202  is advantageously not detachable from the outer casing  14 . 
     The removable container  12  is then inserted into the housing  20  formed by the outer casing  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . As can be seen in  FIG. 15 , in this position the beads  222  of the tabs  220  formed by the ferrule  202  are not yet received in the groove  226  formed on the radially outer surface of the side wall  44  of the removable container  12 . In this position, the tabs  220  are elastically deformed. 
     The removable container  12  is then pushed to allow the removable container  12  to be elastically interlocked on the ferrule  202 . In other words, the removable container  12  is pushed in such a way that the beads  222  of the tabs  220  formed on the ferrule  202  are received in the groove  226  on the side wall  44  of the removable container  12 . At the same time, the half-disk shaped reliefs  218  of the radially inner face of the second collar  206  of the ferrule  202  are received in the complementary housings  224  formed in the side wall  44  of the removable container  12 . As a result, relative rotation of the removable container  12  with respect to the ferrule  202  is restricted or even prevented. It is also possible to allow indexation of the removable container  12  relative to the ferrule, in particular by implementing different housings  224  and reliefs  218 . 
     Finally, the lid  16  is screwed onto the removable container  12 . Since the ferrule  202  is already rotationally integral with the outer casing  14 , it is easier to screw the lid  16  onto the removable container  12 , while keeping the outer casing  14  immobile. 
     Once the lid  16  is screwed onto the removable container  12 , the elastic interlocking of the tabs  220  on the removable container  12  is locked in place. Indeed, as is particularly visible in  FIG. 20 , in this position the tabs  220  are sandwiched between the lid  16  and the removable container  12 , preferably with limited backlash or no backlash at all. The elastic deformation of the tabs  220  required for disassembly of the removable container  12  is thus prevented. 
     However, disassembly of the removable container  12  from the outer casing  14  is possible after removal of the lid  16 . Preferably, this removal of the removable container  12  from the outer casing  14  is reversible, meaning such that the removable container can be elastically refitted onto an outer casing. 
       FIGS. 21 to 24  illustrate a fourth example  300  of a packaging device for cosmetic product. 
     In this fourth example  300 , the removable container  12  comprises two portions  302 ,  304 , one of them having larger dimensions than the outlet  22  of the housing  20  in the outer casing  14 . More specifically, the removable container  12  comprises a lower portion  302 , of greater cross-sectional area than that of the outlet  22  of the housing  20  in the outer casing  14 , and an upper portion  304 , of substantially the same cross-sectional area as that of the outlet  22  of the housing  20  in the outer casing  14 . 
     The lower portion  302  forms a reservoir for cosmetic product. This lower portion  302  may be of any shape, adapted to the housing  20  in the outer casing  14 . The lower portion  302  here forms a shoulder  306  near the upper portion  304 . The upper portion  304  of the removable container  12  has substantially the shape of a neck, provided with a circular groove  308  surrounded by two circular beads  310 ,  312 , and an external thread  50  near the outlet of the removable container  12 . 
     To allow insertion of the removable container  12  at least partially into the housing  20  in the outer casing  14 , the outer casing  14  is provided with an opening  314 , opposite to the outlet  22  of the housing  20  in the outer casing, its cross-section adapted to the cross-section of the lower portion  302  of the removable container  12 . This opening  314  is in particular of larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the outlet  22 . 
     Around the outlet  22  of the housing  20  in the outer casing  14 , the outer casing  14  forms a flange  316  with elastically deformable tabs  318 . In the current case, the flange  316  comprises four tabs  318  uniformly distributed angularly around the outlet  22  of the housing  20  in the outer casing  14 . The tabs  318  have a bead  320  directed radially inward. The bead  320  has a cross-section substantially complementary to the cross-section of the groove  308  in the upper portion  304  of the removable container  12 . 
     Finally, in the example illustrated, the lid  16  is formed from the assembly of an outer casing  322  and an inner casing  324 . The outer casing  322  defines the outer wall  60  of the lid  16 , while the inner casing  324  defines the inner wall  62  of the lid  16 . In particular, the inner casing  324  defines a thread  64  adapted to engage with the external thread  50  on the removable container  12  to allow the lid  16  to be screwed onto the removable container  12  to attach it. 
     This fourth exemplary embodiment  300  thus differs from the exemplary embodiments described above in that the removable container  12  is inserted into the outer casing  14  through an opening  314  that is opposite to the outlet  22  of the housing  20  in the outer casing  14 , the removable container  12  being attached to the outer casing  14  near said outlet  22 . Here, the removable container  12  is attached to the outer casing  14  by elastically fitting the tabs  318  of the outer casing  14  into the groove  308  on the removable container  12 . As above, and as is particularly visible in  FIG. 24 , once the lid  16  is attached to the removable container  12 , the tabs  318  of the outer casing are sandwiched between the inner casing  324  of the lid  16  and the removable container  12 , restricting or even preventing elastic deformation of the tabs  318 . The attachment of the removable container  12  to the outer casing  14  is thus locked. However, removal of the lid  16  allows the tabs  318  to again be elastically deformed, so as to withdraw the  320  beads on these tabs  318  from the groove  308  in the removable container. The removable container  12  is thus released and can then be removed from the outer casing  14 , through the opposite opening  314 . 
     In this embodiment, it is possible to implement the lower portion  302  of the removable container  12  in any desired shape, adapted to the housing  20  in the outer casing  14 . 
     It should be noted here that because the removable container  12  is not rotationally symmetrical—the cross-section of the lower portion  302  having an ellipse shape—and the housing  20  being of complementary geometry to the lower portion  302  of the removable container  12 —in the current case with a cross-section that also has an ellipse shape—the removable container  12  is prevented from rotating about the X axis, with respect to the outer casing  14 . In other words, the removable container  12  and the outer casing  14  are integral in rotation about the axis X. This allows in particular the ability to screw the lid  16  easily on the removable container  12  while holding the outer casing  14 , which has the effect of preventing rotation of the removable container about the X axis. 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above with reference to the figures, but on the contrary is capable of many variants accessible to those skilled in the art. In particular, the features of the various embodiments described may be combined in embodiments not illustrated in the figures. 
     Moreover, the side wall of the removable container may in particular be of substantially hemi-ellipsoidal shape or even of polyhedral shape. 
     The bottom  40  of this removable container may not be flat. Preferably, the bottom  40  of the removable container is shaped to cause imbalance of the removable container when the bottom of the removable container is placed on a flat support. The bottom  40  is for example formed by a protruding relief that is not flat. Additionally or alternatively, the bottom of the removable container is created by a face of a protruding relief, which may be flat, such that the line joining the center of the face and the center of gravity of the removable container forms a non-straight angle with the direction of the weight of said removable container, when its bottom is placed on a flat support. 
     According to another aspect, in the example illustrated in  FIGS. 14 to 20 , the ferrule  202  is attached on the outer casing  14  by press-fitting. Alternatively, the ferrule  202  may be attached on the outer casing  14  by gluing, welding, or any other means known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the ferrule  202  is attached on the outer casing  14  in a lasting manner, so that the ferrule  202  remains mounted on the outer casing  14  in case of removal of the removable container  12 . In particular, the disassembly of the ferrule  202  from the outer casing  14  may require the use of a tool. 
     In the examples described, the elastically interlocking reliefs are separate, carried by separate tabs. However, it is conceivable to have an example with a single elastically interlocking relief, respectively on the outer casing and on the removable container, this elastically fitting relief then being able to be discontinuous. 
     Finally, the lid may be attached to the removable container by screwing, as in the examples described above, or alternatively by elastic interlocking, clamping, magnetization, by means of a bayonet attachment, or by any other means accessible to the skilled person. 
     It is possible that the lid may be screwed onto the outer casing, which then has an external thread complementary to that of the lid.