Two-Sided Cosmetic Cleaning Device

Abstract

A swab with two ends, one end being composed of a light or soft textile and the other end being composed of a heavier or coarser textile or a denser weave of the first textile. The swab may be used for personal care, nail polish removal, cosmetics, and medical uses, among others.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to, and is a continuation in part of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/460,024, filed Jul. 13, 2009, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of textiles, swabs and other cosmetic accessories.

2. Background of the Invention

Prior cotton swabs were of one material attached to a small stick or shaft. Single ended and double ended swabs are well known in the art. These swabs were predominately used in the application or removal of cosmetics, although medical and industrial uses were also possible. However, the use of a swab with only one material was insufficient for many uses. For example, multiple swabs were needed to address varying uses, such as applying cosmetics, removing excess cosmetics, medical uses or exfoliating skin. Simple cotton swabs were frequently too weak and lacked durability for jobs that required more substantial swabs. What is needed is a double ended swab composed of cotton and another textile, or of two different weaves of cotton.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a double ended cotton swab. One end is of cotton. The other end is of another, more durable textile, or of a more durable weave of cotton. The stick or shaft connecting the two ends is composed of plastic, cardboard, wood or another suitable material. In the preferred embodiment, the invention is disposable after one or multiple uses. Non-disposable versions of the invention are also contemplated. In addition, the present invention provides for a swab that may be used for multiple tasks per usage of the swab. For example, a user could first use the soft end to remove light cosmetics and then use the coarse end to remove heavier cosmetics. In another example embodiment the coarse end could be used to clean a wound and the soft end could be used for absorption or on more delicate surfaces. The present invention is an improvement over the prior art because it reduces the number of swabs a user must use to accomplish certain tasks, because it reduces waste, and because it is more durable and cleans more efficiently and effectively than the swabs of the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a double ended swab with a coarse and a soft end.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention with swabs of different shapes.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a “soft” end 10 of one embodiment of the present invention. The “soft” end 10 is composed of cotton or a similar textile. The “soft” end 10 is composed of finer fibers than the other end. Other materials could be incorporated into the “soft” end 10 instead of cotton, including but not limited to, compressed or “lint free” cotton, latex, polyurethane, polyester, rayon, or other synthetic materials. Combinations of natural and synthetic fibers could also be incorporated to produce the “soft” end 10. In addition, the weave density or pattern may be varied to produce a “soft” end. In one embodiment, this end 10 may be constructed to be moderately durable so as to prevent cotton from detaching from the swab during use on the face and other areas. For example, compressed cotton could be utilized to take advantage of its well known low lint properties. The soft end 10 is also generally well adapted to absorption tasks. In some embodiments the “soft” end 10 is soft enough to use on delicate areas such as the face, similar to many cotton applicators or swabs of the prior art. The “soft” end 10 may be used for personal care, nail polish removal, cosmetics, and medical uses, among others.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a “coarse” end 20 of one embodiment of the present invention. The “coarse” end 20 is composed of cotton or a similar textile. The “coarse” end 20 is generally coarser and thicker than the other end. In a preferred embodiment the end 20 is composed of woven or non-woven cotton, more commonly known as gauze. Other compositions of end 20 are also contemplated. Other materials could be incorporated into the “coarse” end 20 instead of cotton, including but not limited to, compressed or “lint free” cotton, latex, polyurethane, polyester, and rayon. Combinations of natural and synthetic fibers could also be incorporated to produce the “coarse” end 20. In addition, the weave density or pattern may be varied to produce a “coarse” end. The “coarse” end 20 increases the durability of the invention. In addition, the “coarse” end 20 exhibits more absorption and requires less swabbing than prior art cotton swabs. The end 20 is adapted to handle tasks that require a strong swab, such as removing excess cosmetics or exfoliating skin. The “coarse” end 20 may be used for personal care, nail polish removal, cosmetics, cleaning wounds and other medical uses, among others.

The ends 10 and 20 may be attached to each other through a small cardboard, plastic or wooden stick using methods generally known in the art. Other materials may be used to connect the two ends to each other without departing from the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred swab design. However, this illustration is for example only, and the invention is not so limited. The present invention could be composed of swabs of nearly any size or shape.

FIG. 2 illustrates an additional embodiment of the invention. End 10 is a flat swab useful for applying makeup in broader areas, such as the cheek or forehead. End 20 is a pointed swab useful for removing makeup in more narrow areas, or other detail oriented applications, such as removing nail polish from the cuticles or other medical or industrial uses. The combination of both shapes on a single swab is ideal for makeup application and removal. The teardrop shaped swabs of FIG. 2 are for example only; many other three dimensional shapes could be practiced without departing from the spirit of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment of the invention the “coarse” layer at each end is surrounded by the “soft” layer to make a double ended swab. The coarser core of the spherical swab of FIG. 3 provides more stability and durability to the swab than would be provided by the “soft” material alone. In another embodiment the “soft” and “coarse” layers are reversed, so that the coarse surrounds the soft. This embodiment provides more softness and absorption than a swab of just a coarse material. The “soft” and “coarse” materials used in the embodiments of FIG. 3 can be any of the materials previously described.

Claims

1. A swab with a first end and a second end, said first end being composed of cotton and said second end being composed of gauze.

2. The swab of claim 1 wherein said first end is composed of lint-free cotton.

3. The swab of claim 1 wherein said first end is composed of a textile selected from the group consisting of cotton, compressed cotton, latex, polyurethane, polyester, and rayon.

4. The swab of claim 1, wherein said second end is composed of a textile selected from the group consisting of cotton, compressed cotton, latex, polyurethane, polyester, and rayon.

5. A swab with two ends, wherein each end is composed of an outer layer and an inner layer, said outer layer surrounding said inner layer, said outer layer being composed of gauze and said inner layer being composed of cotton.

6. The swab of claim 5 wherein said outer layer is composed of cotton and said inner layer is composed of gauze.

7. The swab of claim 5 wherein said outer layer is composed of a textile selected from the group consisting of cotton, compressed cotton, latex, polyurethane, polyester, and rayon.

8. The swab of claim 5 wherein said inner layer is composed of a textile selected from the group consisting of cotton, compressed cotton, latex, polyurethane, polyester, and rayon.