Device for packaging and dispensing a product such as a stick of a cosmetic product, and corresponding product dispensing method

The invention relates to devices for packaging and dispensing a product such as a cosmetic product.

The expression "cosmetic product" is used here to mean a product as defined in Council Directive 93/35/EEC of 14 June 1993. This invention relates more particularly to devices for packaging and dispensing a stick of product such as a lipstick, a foundation, a lip care or moisturizing composition, or a deodorant.

However, if such a device is intended for packaging and dispensing a product which is not in stick form this would not depart from the scope of the invention .

The invention thus relates in general terms to a device for packaging and dispensing a product comprising a body containing the product, a cap for fitting over the body, and a holding member mounted on the body and used to extract the body from the cap or simply to partly disengage it in order to allow it to be extracted completely. As regards devices for packaging and dispensing a stick of product, the stick is usually packaged in a supporting cup that can be moved inside a body by drive means capable of moving it from a position of storage to a position of use of the product, and back again. To protect the stick of product when the supporting cup is in its storage position, some versions employ a closing cap which is fitted over the body.

The body and the cap are often cylindrical and complementary in shape so that when in the storage or non-use position the body is situated in line with the cap .

In some versions, in the non-use position, only part of the body, consisting of a control wheel for

moving the cup, remains accessible and can be grasped manually to extract the body.

On this subject the reader may refer to document US 2,456,948 or document US 2,653,339, which disclose means for driving the cup by rotation.

Also known, from document US 1,850,934, is the use, by way of drive means, of a member that can be grasped manually to apply a force directly to the cup in order to extend the product from the body. Another possibility is to use elastic means urging the stick to the extended position, while adjustable locking means are used to lock the stick in predetermined positions. Such an arrangement is disclosed for example in document US 1,602,823. In general terms, the prior art includes various types of manual action for manipulating a device for packaging and dispensing a stick of product.

In some versions the body is freed by using only one hand. Other manual actions require both hands to be used.

However, there is still a need to have a device for packaging and dispensing a product, such as a stick of product, that allows the body to be disengaged easily from the cap by means of a simple manual action, in an arrangement that is relatively easy to manufacture .

To achieve this object, the invention provides a device for packaging and dispensing a product, comprising : - a body containing the product; a cap capable of fitting over the body; and a holding member mounted on the body or the cap; and in which the holding member is mounted rotatably on the body about a pin extending transversely relative to a direction of movement of the cap relative to the body in such a way as to cooperate with the cap and cause a relative movement between the cap and the body.

In other words, when operating the holding member, the latter pushes against the cap. This causes the body to begin to come out and the body can then be fully disengaged from the cap. The holding member is mounted in its entirety so as to be able to rotate on the body or the cap.

Another feature of the device according to the invention is that the hinge pin of the holding member is offset laterally relative to an axis of the body along which the body is inserted into the cap, so that it lies approximately in line with a peripheral wall of the body. The hinge pin may for example be tangential to an edge of the body according to a cross section taken transversely to the axis along which it is inserted into the cap.

For example, in the position of complete insertion of the body into the cap, the hinge pin is approximately in the plane of or set back from an edge of the free end of the cap. In one embodiment, the holding member is mounted so as to be able to rotate about the transverse hinge pin between a first or rest position in which it is at least partly retracted into a housing formed in the body, and an extended active position in which it pushes or buttresses against the cap to disengage the body from the cap.

The holding member and the cap will advantageously be provided with corresponding bearing surfaces of generally tapering form. In various embodiments, the angle formed by each bearing surface may be between 10° and 80°, and is preferably 45°, relative to a transverse end face of the cap or of the holding member.

The invention preferably provides releasable locking means designed to engage, in the body on the one hand, and in the cap on the other, particularly by snap engagement.

For example, of the outside peripheral surface of the body and the inside peripheral surface of the cap,

- A - one comprises at least one radial male piece or an annular bead, and the other an annular channel capable of receiving said male piece or said bead.

The body may also have releasable means for locking the holding member in the housing, particularly by snap engagement.

In one embodiment the holding member is generally annular so that it can be grasped manually from the inside of the ring. The body may have an axial relief that engages, when the holding member is in the rest position, in a cavity, which may optionally be a through cavity, formed in said holding member.

For example, the relief comprises a first part whose transverse cross section is generally circular and which engages in the cavity, and a second part for the attachment of the holding member.

Of the relief and the edge of the cavity, one may comprise an annular channel and the other at least one radial male piece or an annular bead capable of snap engagement in the channel.

For example, the first part of the relief comprises a depression that facilitates access to the holding member, if the cavity is a through cavity. The dimensions of the housing may be such that in the rest position the holding member is fully retracted inside the body and is flush with the end face of the body.

In another embodiment the holding member may be a solid ring with no holding cavities.

For example, when the holding member is in the rest position and the body fully inserted into the cap, it projects beyond the end face of the cap. It can be manipulated from its outside perimeter. For example, the holding member is provided internally with a recess for storing a product, particularly a perfume or compacted powder.

Various embodiments may also include elastic means for returning the holding member to the rest position.

In yet another embodiment, the body comprises internally a supporting cup that forms a seat for the product and is moveable relative to the body between a position of storage and at least one position of use of the product, and means for driving the supporting cup comprising a guide sheath capable of guiding the cup axially, and an envelope surrounding the guide sheath and having means capable of bringing about a movement of the cup relative to the guide sheath when the envelope is rotated relative to the guide sheath.

In one embodiment, the holding member is mounted on the cap so as to be able to rotate about the hinge pin between a rest position and an extended active position in which it exerts a force on the body in order to release said body from the cap. The holding member may be mounted at an upper end of the body.

Advantageously, the cap comprises an intermediate bearing ring mounted between the holding member and a drive mechanism for driving the product mounted in the body.

The cap may also comprise a member for axially retaining the bearing ring inside the cap. This member advantageously comprises axial tabs at least partly surrounding the bearing ring and provided with means for axially retaining said ring. The bearing ring may stop against the axial retaining means during movement of the holding member from the rest position to the active position.

The hinge pin preferably extends transversely across the retaining member.

In one embodiment, the holding member extends at least partly into a housing of the cap in the rest position .

The invention also relates to a method of dispensing a product by means of a device as defined above, characterized in that it comprises the following steps : disengaging the body from the cap by moving the holding member angularly about the hinge pin in such a

way that the holding member acts on the cap to bring about a relative movement between the cap and the body; extracting the body from the cap; and applying the product contained in the body. Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be seen on reading the following description, which is given purely by way of non- restrictive example, and refers to the accompanying drawings, in which: - figure 1 is a side view of a device for packaging and dispensing a product in stick form in a first embodiment of the invention; figure 2 is an exploded view of the device seen in figure 1; - figure 3 is a cross section on the III-III axis as marked in figure 1, showing the holding member in the active position; figure 4 shows another cross section through the device as seen in figure 1 on another cross-sectional axis, with the holding member in the rest position; figure 5 is a cross section through the cap of the device seen in figures 1 to 4; figure 6 is a cross section through the body of the device seen in figures 1 to 4; figure 7 is a perspective view of the body seen in figure 6; figure 8 is a cross section, on a larger scale, through the holding member of the device seen in figures 1 to 4; figure 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the product packaging and dispensing device of the invention; figure 10 is an exploded view of the device seen in figure 9; figures 11 and 12 show the holding member of the device seen in figures 9 and 10, first in the rest position and then in the active position;

- figures 13 and 14 are perspective and exploded views respectively of a device for packaging and dispensing a product in stick form according to a third embodiment of the invention; - figures 15 and 16 respectively illustrate in cross section the device of figures 13 and 14 in the rest position and in the active position of the holding member; figures 17 and 19 respectively show cross- sectional and perspective views of one of the members constituting the cap of the device of figures 13 to 16; figures 18 and 20 respectively illustrate in cross section and in perspective the holding member of the device of figures 13 to 17 and 19; and - figures 21 and 22 are exploded perspective and cross-sectional views respectively of a device for packaging and dispensing a product in stick form according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Referring to figures 1 to 8, a first embodiment of a product packaging and dispensing device in accordance with the invention, indicated by the general reference number 1, will be described first of all.

In the example of an embodiment in question, the device 1 is intended to be used for packaging and dispensing a stick of product, such as a cosmetic product .

The stick may for example be a lipstick, a lip care product, a deodorant or the like.

However, the device 1 may of course also be applied to the packaging and dispensing of other kinds of product. Likewise, the invention also applies to other kinds of device than those illustrated in the figures .

The invention also applies, in general terms, to a product packaging device comprising a body containing the product and a cap which is fitted over the body with a sliding movement, the cap serving to conceal either the product or the means for bringing about the dispensing of said product.

Specifically, referring to figures 1 and 2, the device 1 comprises principally a body 2 designed to contain the stick of product, a cap 3 in which the body

2 is housed between uses, and a holding member 4 which pivots about a hinge pin 5 on the body 2.

The body 2 comprises a base 6 forming an operating member and a drive mechanism 7 for moving the stick from a position of storage, in which it is inserted into the body, to one or more positions of use, in which it at least partly extends out of the body 2, under the control of the operating member.

As can be seen in the figures, in the illustrative embodiment in question, the device 1 is of cylindrical general form. In other words, the body 2, which includes the base 6 and the drive mechanism 7, and also the cap 3 are all of cylindrical form having an axis X-X' .

The cap 3 is fitted over the body 2 to protect the stick between uses. The movement of inserting the body 2 into the cap

3 is performed here in an axial direction, that is along the axis X-X' .

The holding member 4 is for extracting the body 2, especially at the beginning of its movement, and the manual action involved is a simple and agreeable one.

Specifically, the holding member 4 pivots about the pin 5, which extends in a transverse direction when considering the general axis X-X' of the device 1.

It is moveable angularly about the pin 5 between a rest position, in which it is fully retracted inside a housing 10 formed in the body 2 (figure 4), and an extended active position which, by the angular movement and leverage of the holding member 4 against the cap 3, produces a relative movement between the cap and the body tending to extract the body from the cap.

Since the invention is essentially concerned with extracting the body from the cap, the drive mechanism 7 will not be described in detail below.

It will however be observed that it comprises an outer envelope or sleeve 12, a guide sheath 13 mounted inside the envelope 12, and a supporting cup 14 which positions and holds the stick by means of ribs (not visible) formed in the bottom of the supporting cup 14.

In a manner known per se, the supporting cup 14 has a number of radial studs (not visible) fitted in a number of diametrically opposed longitudinal slots 15 formed in the wall of the guide sheath 13. Also, the dimensions of the studs are such as to have a radial dimension sufficient for each to pass through the slots 15 and into a helical groove 16 recessed into the inside surface of the envelope 12.

The base 6 is coupled in rotation to the guide sheath 13. Consequently, rotation of the base 6 is accompanied by an axial movement of the cup 14 relative to the envelope 12 and to the sheath 13 in the direction of an exit orifice 17 of the sheath 13. While on this subject, the pitch of the helical groove 16 can be chosen to bring about a complete extension of the stick after one rotation of the base 6 through about 360°.

The details of the cap 3, the cap base 6, and the holding member 4 will now be described with reference to figures 5, 6 and 7.

Referring first of all to figure 5, the cap 3 is of tubular general form. It has a closed end 20 and an opposite open end 21 through which the body 2 can be inserted into the cap 3. Near the closed end 20, the wall of the body 3 includes a number of grooves 22, of which there are four in the present case, for guiding, and for maintaining the radial position, of the body 2, and in particular the outer envelope 12, following complete insertion of the body 2 into the cap 3.

At its open end 21, the inside end surface 23 of the cap 3 is essentially flared, that is to say it has an inclined lead-in surface forming a slope directed out from the cap.

As will be described in detail later, this end surface 23 is designed to engage with a mating surface on the holding member 4 to bring about a relative movement of the cap with respect to the body when the member 4 is operated.

Upstream of the surface 23, the peripheral inside surface of the cap 3 contains an annular channel 24 to enable the body 2 to be attached removably to the inside of the cap 3, as will be described in greater detail later. The cap can be mounted on the body 2 in such a way as to seal an opening of the body 2.

Referring now to figure 6, the base 6 of the body 2 is also of tubular form. It is designed to take the drive mechanism 7. The assembly can be inserted in an axial sliding movement into the cap 3.

The base 6 essentially comprises a peripheral wall or skirt 25 with a closed first end 26 defining a bottom 27, and an opposite open end 28.

The bottom 27 comprises, on the inward side of the base 6, an annular connector 29 or male piece extending in the direction of the open end 28 and provided with radial studs 29a which are designed to be coupled in rotation to the guide sheath 13.

On the opposite side, the base 6 comprises a relief 30 (figure 7) to which the holding member 4 is hinged. As shown in this figure 7, the relief 30 comprises a first portion 32 in the shape of a truncated disc that defines externally a surface 33 forming a seat for the holding member 4 and a second portion 34 forming a male piece to which the member 4 is hinged.

As will be described in detail later, the holding member 4 is ring-shaped in this illustrative embodiment . Consequently the surface 33 is also of generally annular form, being interrupted by the male piece 34. Similarly, the first portion 32 of the relief 30 comprises a generally cylindrical or slightly tapering peripheral surface 35 and includes a depression 36

designed to permit access to the holding member 4 when it is resting against the surface 33.

As will be seen, the surface 35 has radial projections 37 designed to snap engage in an annular channel 45 provided in the member 4.

Lastly, figure 6 shows that the outside peripheral surface of the base 6 is also provided with radial studs 38, designed to snap engage in the annular channel 24 of the cap 3. The studs 38 are of a diameter greater than the inside diameter of the cap 3 so that there is diametric interference between these two parts at the level of the studs 38 and the channel 24. In a variant, it might be possible to provide a single stud in the form of a continuous radial bead in the circumferential direction.

The stud(s) 38 form a means for axially retaining the base 6 and the cap 3 so as to form a unitary assembly. In other words, the stud(s) 38 form means for snap engagement of the base 6 on the cap 3. The second portion 34 or male piece of the relief 30 may for example be of parallelepiped form. It is pierced by a transverse passage 39 for the pin 5 (figure 2) .

Referring lastly to figure 8, as indicated before, the holding member 4 in this case is of generally annular form and thus provides a manually operable hook.

As figure 2 also shows, this hook is in fact an annular arc and has two opposing ends such as 42 pierced by respective coaxial orifices 43 in which the pin 5 swivels .

The inside surface of revolution 44 of the hook 4 includes the annular channel 45 which snap engages on the radial projections 37 formed on the relief 30. The outside surface of revolution 46 of the hook generally tapers. Its shape is complementary to that of the tapering surface 23 of the cap 3 (figure 5) .

The height of the relief 30 of the base 6 is generally equal to that of the hook 4.

Thus, when the hook 4 is resting on the seat 33, in the rest position, the assembly forms a generally planar surface.

Additionally, when the body 2 is inserted into the cap 3, the end face of the body, including the hook 4, is flush with the free end face of the cap 3, and the outside peripheral surface of the hook is resting against the corresponding tapering inside surface 23 of the cap. As is seen in figure 8, the inside surface of revolution 44 of the ring continues on the other side of the channel 45 towards the base 6, in the form of a tapering surface 50. This tapering surface, combined with the depression 36, allows the hook to be grasped manually even when it is resting against the body.

Figure 6 shows the passage 39 in which the pin 5 is gripped, roughly in line with the peripheral skirt 25, or in other words in line with an inside surface 51 of said skirt of the base. In other words, when the body 2 is inserted into the cap 3, the hinge pin of the hook 4 is offset or displaced radially inwards relative to the peripheral wall of the cap 3, and in particular of the tapering surface 23 on which the corresponding tapering surface 46 of the hook 4 rests.

The pin 5 is also set somewhat back from the open end face of the cap 3, so that when the hook 4 is operated it can bear against the cap 3.

In this way, when the hook 4 is moved from its rest position (figure 4) to its active position (figure 3) while bearing on the tapering surface 23 of the cap, the rotational movement of the hook is transformed into a translational movement of the body 2 relative to the cap 3, owing to the leverage of the hook on the cap at a point set back from the pin 5, which acts as a pivot for the hook.

In other words, the assembly, made up of the hook 4 rotating about the pin 5 attached to the body 2 and bearing against the end face of the cap 3, forms a cam-

like mechanism in which the hook acts as a lever pushing against the cap 3 and bringing about relative movement between the body 2 and the cap.

It will be observed that the amplitude of the movement produced by the rotation of the hook 4 depends on the solid angle formed by the opposing surfaces of the hook and cap 3.

For example, the angle formed by the tapering surface 23 of the cap relative to the end face of the cap is between about 10° and 80°. Similarly, the angle formed by the peripheral surface 46 of the hook 4 will be for example between about 10° and 80° relative to the transverse end face of the hook 4.

In view of the thickness of the wall of the cap 3, and as illustrated, an angle of about 30° will preferably be selected, giving a good compromise between manufacturing constraints and ease of manipulation .

In order to use the device described above the user simply grasps the hook 4 manually in such a way as to disengage it from the surface 23 of the base 6, away from the position illustrated in figure 4.

He then simply pivots the hook 4 about the pin 5.

In so doing, the pressure of the hook against the tapering surface 23 of the cap causes the hook to form a lever which pulls on the body, tending to disengage or detach the body axially from the cap in a sliding relative movement. The studs 38 are thus no longer housed in the channel 24 in the cap 3, the effect of which is to release the base 6 from said cap.

The user then simply pulls on the body 2, either on the hook 4 or on the base 6 which is now accessible, in such a way as to extract the body fully from the cap . Then, as is known per se, the stick can now be extended by rotating the base 6 to operate the drive mechanism 7.

In the illustrative embodiment described above, the device is provided with releasable means for

locking the hook 4 in the housing 10 of the body. These are provided in the opposing surfaces of the hook and of the relief. It is also provided with releasable means for locking the body in the cap. These are provided in the opposing surfaces of the body and of the cap.

In a variant, the means for locking the body in the cap and those for locking the hook could be in the form of ordinary snap engagement means on the outside surface of the hook and on the opposing inside surface of the cap.

A second embodiment of a device according to the invention will now be described with reference to figures 9 to 12. In these figures, parts that are identical or similar to those described above are given the same reference numbers.

As can be seen, whereas in the illustrative embodiment described earlier with reference to figures 1 to 8 the holding member 4 is a hook, in this second embodiment the holding member 4 is a solid ring, in the sense of being closed on at least one side. It can then, if appropriate and if desired, be used to contain a second product. Figures 9 and 10 again show the body 2, and in particular the base 6, on which a conventional drive mechanism (not shown) is mounted, the cap 3, which fits over the body 2, and the holding member 4 in the form of a solid ring pivoting about a pin 5 extending transversely with respect to the general axis X-X' of the cap and of the body, between a rest position, in which the holding member bears against the body 2, and an extended active position for moving the body axially relative to the cap by levering the solid ring 4 against the cap 3.

Thus, as described earlier, the solid ring 4 comprises a generally tapering outside surface of revolution 46 designed to push against a complementary

surface 23 formed in the vicinity of a free end of the cap 3.

With reference to figures 10 and 11, the arrangement of the opposing surfaces of the solid ring 4 and cap 3 is similar to that described earlier with reference to figures 5 and 8.

Likewise the position of the hinge pin 5 is chosen so as to be offset radially inwardly relative to the surface at which the solid ring 4 bears on the wall of the cap 3 and to be set back from the open end face of the cap 3.

The movement of the solid ring 4 from the rest position to the active position (arrow Fl) therefore disengages the cap 3 (arrow F2) . However, in this embodiment, the solid ring 4 comprises in this case, on the inside, that is to say on the side facing the base 6 of the body 2, a housing 52 designed to hold a different product from that carried by the cup of the transmission mechanism, such as a compacted powder or a perfume. But it will be observed that it would not be a departure from the invention to place any other product in the form of a solid or powder in the housing 52.

In this embodiment, therefore, the base 6, and in particular its face nearest the solid ring 4, has no relief, the isolation of the housing 52 being obtained in this case by the fact that the solid ring 4 is in contact with the surface 23 of the cap 2, and in particular by their complementary shapes. This embodiment again uses the snap engagement means of the body 2 on the cap 3, in the form of the studs 38 which snap engage in the channel 24 in the cap .

In this case no means are provided for snap engaging the solid ring 4 on the base 6.

However, releasable means could still be provided for locking the solid ring 4 against the body 2, as for example by snap engagement, particularly in the form of

projections and a channel, the former in the solid ring 4 and the latter in the opposing surface of the base 6.

This would make the use of snap engagement of the body in the cap unnecessary. It will be observed that, in the embodiments described above, return means may be provided to urge the holding member 4 against the body 2, these means either being separate components or a hinge designed for this function. In this respect, it will be seen that the holding member 4 could also, as a variant, pivot on the body 2 by means of a hinge in the form of a film moulded at the same time as the holding member and body by means of an elastic material capable of producing a spring action.

By means of the peripheral surfaces, one relatively external and the other relatively internal, of the holding member and cap 3, and in particular by means of the positioning of the hinge pin, the manual action required to disengage the body is a user- friendly one.

Similarly, after repositioning the cap, when manipulating the holding member in such a way as to reposition it against its seat 33, the member 4 moves simultaneously into contact, via its tapering surface, with the corresponding tapering surface of the cap.

It will be found in use that when the member 4 is closed onto the body and cap, the user hears a satisfyingly luxurious-sounding click. With reference to figures 13 to 20, a third embodiment of a device according to the invention will now be described.

In these figures, parts that are identical or similar to those described above are given the same reference numbers.

In this embodiment, the body 2 comprises a base 60 for mounting the drive mechanism 7 provided with a body 62 of approximately annular general form comprising a radial end wall 64 becoming wider towards the outside

so as to form a tapering outside surface. The body 62 extends along the vertical axis X-X' forming the longitudinal axis of the device 1.

The base 60 also comprises an annular connector (not visible) extending from the end wall 64 and provided with radial studs, in a similar manner to the base 6 of the first embodiment, in order to allow mounting and support of the drive mechanism 7. An annular channel 66 is also provided on the outside surface of the body 62 in the vicinity of its free end.

In this embodiment, the holding member 4 is hinged by means of the hinge pin 5 on the cap 3 made in several parts. The cap 3 here mainly comprises a protective body 68, a bearing ring 70 mounted inside the body and a member 72 for retaining said ring.

The protective body 68, generally tubular in form, comprises at a lower axial end an inside surface 74 corresponding to the form of and in contact with the outside tapering surface of the end wall 64 of the base 60. A large-diameter edge of the inside surface 74 is radially extended outwards by a frontal surface 76 of the end or lower free edge of the protective body 68. This body is shaped so that the frontal surface 76 of the end is flush with the lower end of the radial wall 64 of the support base 60.

The support base 60 and the drive mechanism 7 may be entirely housed inside the protective body 68. In this position neither the base 60 nor the mechanism 7 can therefore be handled by the user. The protective body 68 comprises, on its inside surface, radial studs 78 that are inwardly directed and designed to snap engage into the annular channel 66 of the base 60. The studs 78 are of smaller diameter than the outside diameter of the base 60 so that there is diametric interference between these two parts at the level of the studs 78 and the channel 66. In a variant, it might be possible to provide a single bead produced in the form of a continuous radial bead in the circumferential direction. The stud(s) 78 form a means

for axially retaining the base 60 and the protective body 68 so as to form a unitary assembly. In other words, the stud(s) 78 form means for snap engagement of the base 60 on the cap 3. The protective body 68 also comprises, on its inside surface, an annular radial shoulder 79 oriented axially in the direction of the upper end of the body and provided to enable axial positioning of the retaining member 72 inside said body, as will be described below. The shoulder 79 is axially offset towards the upper end of the body in relation to the studs 78.

The protective body 68 further comprises an axial extension 80 extending its upper axial end over a semi- circumference. As will be described below, this extension 80 comprises two coaxial orifices 81 in which the hinge pin 5 swivels to enable the rotational hinging of the holding member 4 on the cap 3. The hinge pin 5 is here slightly radially offset in relation to the axis X-X' of the device.

The ring 70 is itself provided in order to bear against the upper end of the drive mechanism 7. It comprises a peripheral skirt 82 surrounding or fitting over the upper end of the drive mechanism 7 and providing inside an annular radial bearing surface 84 oriented axially downward so as to form a stop for the axial positioning of the ring 70 against the upper end of said mechanism. The peripheral skirt 82 is extended, at an upper end, by a radial bottom 86 extending at a distance from the drive mechanism and itself extended, axially on the side opposite the skirt 82, by a cylindrical male piece 88. The bearing ring 70 is entirely housed inside the protective body 68.

The retaining member 72 is radially positioned between the bearing ring 70 and the protective body 68, coming into contact with these two elements. It has a generally tubular form and comprises a peripheral skirt 90 surrounding the male piece 88, the bottom 86, and a part of the skirt 82 of the bearing ring 70. The skirt

90 is extended at its lower end by a crown of axial tabs 92 that are identical and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The free end of each tab 92 comes to bear on the shoulder 67 of the protective body 68. Thus the axial positioning of the retaining member 72 inside said body 68 is obtained. Each tab 92 comprises approximately half-way up a ridge 94 extending radially inward in the direction of the drive mechanism 7 while nevertheless remaining at a distance from the latter. The ridges 94 are situated axially below the lower end of the skirt 82 of the bearing ring 70 and at a distance from the latter. The ridges 94 have an inside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of said skirt so as to avoid, by diametric interference, axial separation of the bearing ring 70 and of the retaining member 72 during movement of the holding member 4, as will be described in more detail below.

The skirt 90 is extended at an upper end by a radial wall 96 and an axial extension 98, defining between them a housing 100 inside which the holding member 4 partly extends.

The extension 98 extends, over a semi- circumference, the upper axial end of the skirt 90 so as to correspond in form to the extension 80 of the protective body 68. The extension 98 comprises two coaxial orifices 102 provided to correspond to the orifices 81 in the protective body 68 so as to enable mounting of the hinge pin 5. The axial size of the retaining member 72 is such that the frontal surface of the end of the extension 98 is flush with the upper end of the extension 80 of the holding body 68.

The holding member 4 comprises a first portion 104 in the form of a half-disc that is extended radially inward by a second portion 106 housed radially in the extension 98 and comprising a transverse passage 108 designed for the insertion of the hinge pin 5. The passage 108 is axially aligned with the orifices 81 of the protective body 68 and the orifices 102 of the

retaining member 72. The first and second portions 104, 106 are shaped in such a way as to correspond in form to the extension 98 of the retaining member 72 so as to obtain, at the upper end of the device 1, a planar end surface and an approximately continuous peripheral edge. The peripheral edge of the holding member 4 is situated in line with the protective body 68.

The holding member 4 also comprises an actuation tab 110 extending the lower end of the second portion 106 and provided in order to come to bear on the male piece 88 of the bearing ring 70 or in the immediate vicinity of the latter. The actuation tab 110 extends radially through to the neighbourhood of the extension 98. When the holding member 4 is moved from its rest position (figure 15) through to its active position

(figure 16), its rotational movement causes an axially downward movement of the bearing ring 70 and of the drive mechanism 7 relative to the protective body 68 and to the retaining member 72. Thus, thanks to the pushing of the actuation tab 110 exerted on the male piece 88 of the ring 70 during this movement, the holding member 4 forms a lever that pulls on said ring, tending to disengage axially the base 60 outside the protective body 68 in a relative sliding movement.

As illustrated in figure 16, at the end of actuating the holding member 4, the lower end of the skirt 82 of the ring 70 comes to bear on the ridges 94 of the retaining member 72. The ridges 94 therefore form a means for axially retaining the bearing ring 70 inside said member. The risk of axial separation of these two elements is avoided.

After having displaced the holding member 4 from its rest position to its active position, the base 60 finds itself projecting axially in relation to the frontal surface 76 of the end of the protective body 68. It is then necessary to exert a simple axial pull on said base so as to extract the body 2 entirely from the cap 3.

With reference to figures 21 and 22 a variant of the previously described embodiment will now be described. In these figures, parts that are identical or similar are given the same reference numbers. This variant embodiment differs in that the device 1 does not have the retaining member 72 and in that the axial extension 80 comprises, at its upper end, a planar radial surface 112 in such a way as to form a generally planar surface with the holding member 4 when the holding member 4 is in its rest position. In this embodiment, the bearing ring 70 is without the male piece 88. Thus, in this variant the cap 3 that fits over the base 60 and the drive mechanism 7 consists of the protective body 68 and the bearing ring 70. It will be noted that in the two embodiments that have just been described it is possible to provide return means capable of pressing the holding member 4 against the protective cap 68, either in a reported form or by using a hinge provided for this purpose. It will be noted in this respect that the holding member 4 might also, in a variant, be hinged on the protective cap 68 by means of a hinge having the form of a film moulded at the same time as the holding member and the cap by means of an elastic material capable of providing a spring effect.

Finally, it will be observed that the invention is not limited to those embodiments that have been described.

In the various embodiments envisaged, the snap engagement means are made in the form of studs that snap engage in a complementary channel, but any other embodiment may of course be envisaged. It is thus possible to use an annular rib instead of studs. Again, the studs and the corresponding channels can be formed equally well in either of the opposing surfaces.

Finally, in the various different embodiments, the device can be made of any appropriate material, such as a thermoplastic, e.g. polyoxymethylene (POM) or polyamide. However, the holding member may, if made as

a separate component, be produced from any other material, such as a metal.