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 
       [0001]    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 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is in the field of textiles, swabs and other cosmetic accessories. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    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 
       [0006]    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 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a double ended swab with a coarse and a soft end. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of the invention with swabs of different shapes. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    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. 
         [0011]      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. 
         [0012]      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. 
         [0013]    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. 
         [0014]      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. 
         [0015]      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. 
         [0016]      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.