Description 1. Field of the Invention

The invention for Reduced Ecologic Swab and Method relates generally to swabs covered with cotton or any other absorbent material in the end of its stem, configuring therefore a small but very useful device for human’s body cleaning such as ears and baby’s navel, and for applying cosmetics and for general medical care use as well. 2. The Related Art The kind of swabs known up to now by the state of the art are typically constructed with an elongated stem usually made up of plastic, or cellulose by-products such as rolled paper or wood having a portion of absorbent material, usually cotton pads glued directly to both ends of said stem. Recently, countless restrictions are being imposed all over the world against non- environmentally friendly products such as plastic products and the use of the predominant plastic stems is being progressively restricted all over the planet. In this regard it is quite remarkable how the last generation of paper swabs has contributed to mitigate this environmental problem although they seem not to be final solution in this field since they are still intensive paper consumers which causes deforestation consequences, as well as landfills accumulations. Even though the present paper swabs are playing a very important sanitary and environmental role, it is desired and possible that a cheaper and simple swab could be developed and set available to customers, as proposed by the present invention. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide swabs and method which will drastically reduce the use of manufacturing materials, heavily reducing therefore the amount of litter disposed in the nature. 3. Summary of the Invention

A Reduced Ecologic Swab entirely made up by environmental friendly low cost materials is provided that includes a short hollow straw with a single end covered by absorbent material such as cotton pad, the second end of the stem having an aperture to give access to a handle towards the hollow center of that stem so it can be firmly sustained while being utilized by the users. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide new and improved swabs entirely made up as from cellulose’s by products such as paper, cotton and the like; Another object of the present invention is to provide a swab having only one single tip of its stem covered with cleaning absorbent material; Another object of the present invention is to provide a hollow stem fitted this way to accommodate inside it an operating handle; Another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved methods for manufacturing a swab. Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing box where the swabs are accommodated for easy utilization; In accordance with the present invention these and other objects are attained by providing in a swab including a hollow stem covered with absorbent material on one end of which a pad of absorbent material, such as cotton, is situated, being the device object of the present patent manufactured by a new and improved methods for manufacturing a swab. 4. Background of the Invention

Swabs are since long ago being used as multi-purpose articles of personal hygiene such as for removing wax from the auditory meatus of the ear and for cleaning baby’s navel, for applying cosmetics and for general medical care use as well, among many other applications that explain why the use of cotton swabs has expanded to a great extent in recent years. Presently, swabs having a plastic stem are still predominant in the market although paper stem’s swabs came up to progressively take over this position.

However, the present patent came out with the aim of taking steps ahead in the conception of the utilization and manufacturing process of conventional cotton swabs made up with paper stems, as better explained ahead.

5.Brief Description of the Drawings

The features and advantages of the invention as well as additional features and advantages thereof will be more clearly understood hereinafter as a result of a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

Fig. 1 frontally illustrates one embodiment of the Reduced Ecologic Swab and according to the present invention;

Fig. 2A to 2D shows the sequence for obtaining a hollow stem with one of its tips internally blocked;

FIG. 3 shows the two main elements used to manufacture the swab of the present patent;

FIG. 4A to Fig. 4D shows the sequence performed for getting two swabs at a time; FIG. 5A to Fig. 5D shows a possible mechanical method performed for getting the absorbent material fixed at one tip of the swab’s stem;

FIG. 6A to Fig. 6C shows the sequence performed for getting a handle inserted inside the hollow section of the stem;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of the swab ready for use;

Fig. 8 shown a two-sections handle fitted with a cap;

Fig. 8A to 8C shows the insertion of the two-sections handle with cap into the swab; Fig. 9A to Fig 9C shows the sequence for getting an alternative constructive model of the swab;

Fig 10 is an overview of the packing box of the swabs;

Fig 1 1 A and 1 1 B disclose an alternative internal housing for the packing box.

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

The frontal view on FIG. 1 shows a ready-to-use swab (1 ) of the present invention in which it can be noted firstly a predetermined section of hollow stem or straw (2) made up of any suitable material for this aim such as cellulose’s material like paper, wood and cotton, and secondly the absorbent material such as cotton pad (3) that is fixed to an obstructed hollow end (4) of the stem.

The exemplary stem of Fig. 1 is intended to be made up, without any limitation, as from long paper-straw obtained from a continuous manufacturing process which is already well known in the state of the art.

Though the Reduced Ecologic Swab might have varied application, its ideal specifications such as length of the swabs section, diameter, thickness of the walls that will define its mechanical resistance when combined with its handle, as well as any other needed configuration will be predetermined before producing.

The obstruction of one of the hollow stem’s ends of the swab herein referred and better detailed on Fig. 2A up to Fig 2D, is a fundamental product’s requirement considering that it will work as the stopper limitation apparatus and also as an obstructive element (5) for the handle’s reach when introduced inside the hollow open end (4) of the stem, as disclosed by Fig. 8A to Fig. 8C.

In the sequence of figures from 2A up to 2D an example among others of a viable constructive method to obstruct one of the hollow ends of the swab’s section is disclosed.

The obstructive element (5) in the format of a disc used as an example in this case is a small portion of paper stem (1 1 ) such those already in use as paper swabs’ stem which must preferably have an external diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the chosen swab’s section.

Thus, on Fig. 2A the two elements of the desired set to be formed, namely the swab section (2) and the long, continuous, thinner stick of paper or paper stem (1 1 ) were set in opposite directions so that the thinner stick paper (5) could be partially introduced in the hollow end (4) of the swab.

On Fig. 2B the desired portion of the thinner paper stick (1 1 ) is already positioned at the hollow end (4) of the paper straw (2) that should be obstructed, after having received the necessary portion of glue to get it permanently fixed in that obstructive position.

Fig. 2C discloses how the small portion of thinner stick paper (5) could be separated from the rest of the long stick paper through the application of a cut from a rotative blade (12) for instance, leaving so that small section of stick paper or obstructive element (5) there for permanently ensure the obstruction of that hollow end (4) of the paper straw (2), as disclosed by Fig. 2D.

It must be fully understood that such an obstruction could also be achieved by any other means such as using, for example, the injection of a fast-dry paper paste in the edge of the swab’s hollow end (4) and that such an injection could be applied simultaneously to the application of the glue for fixing the discs (5) or the cotton pads (3).

On Fig. 3, the set so formed by the predefined section of paper straw (2) and the obstructive element (5) are now ready to start receiving the application of the absorbent material such as cotton pad (3), based on any adequate method such as presented by the following figures.

The sequence of figures from 4A to 4C shows the way for getting two pieces of the Reduced Ecologic Swab (1 ) at a time just by applying cotton pads (3) at each end of the paper straw (2) which already has its two hollow ends (4) previously obstructed by portions of paper stick (5) likewise disclosed by figures from 2A to 2D.

The application of the two cotton pads (3) is done by rotating a rotary straw carrier that causes the paper straw (2) to spin in order to receive first the application of glue over the area where the cotton pads (3) are to be adhered and then the cotton pads (3) themselves, turning the product so created into a two cotton tips covered swab, as shown in Fig. 4B which, according to Fig 4C is then split in two pieces by a rotating blade(12), turning so each one in a complete Reduced Ecologic Swab (1 ), as shown in Fig 4D.

An alternative producing method for getting sole and individual Reduced Ecologic Swabs (1 ) is disclosed by figures from 5A to 5D through the utilization of mechanical arms (6) in an assembling line.

Thus, Fig. 5A discloses a paper straw (2) already fitted with the obstruction stopper (5) and ready to receive the introduction of a mechanical arm (6) that is fitted with the means for applying rotations as well as back and forth horizontal movements, a compressed air blower (7), as well as a sleeve (8) able to push outwardly the finalized swab (1 ) from the mechanical arm (6) just by sliding back and forth over its rails (9), or by directing an air blow (10) straight over the obstructive element (5) as better detailed in figure 5B.

On Fig. 5C and 5D it can be seen the sequence for finalizing the application of the cotton pad (3) causing so the Reduced Ecologic Swab to be ready for use.

The sequence of figures from 6A to 6C shows how the use of the Reduced Ecologic Swab is materialized with the aid of its complementary handle (14).

On Fig. 6A it has been disclosed a Reduced Ecologic Swab in the upright position (13) and ready to receive the insertion through its hollow end (4) of a complementary, rigid handle (14) that allows users a safe and comfortable manipulation of the set so formed. The referred handle (14) that can be made up of wood, paper stick, plastic, metal or any other suitable material for this aim, is an elongate round body (15) that when inserted in the hollow end (4) of the swab (1 ) will act as the swab’s stem (14).

Aiming to facilitate the connection with the Reduced Ecologic Swab, the stem (14) has a conic end (17) in a slightly thinner body than the swab, and some protrusions (18) such as discs or any other element that might boost the gripping of the attached hollow swab (1 ) as it can be seen through the figures 6B and 6C, as well as in the cross-section view of Fig. 7 where it can also be seen that the reaching limits of the conic end (17) of the handle (14) is restricted by the obstructive stopper (5) aiming to avoid any physical damage during the use.

Fig. 8 shows another model of swab’s stem (14) which is now fitted with two longitudinal sections (14a and 14b) in which an enlarged, thicker section at its upper side (14a) is ending in a hollow section (14a1 ) at its lower end (14a2) which, at the same time is going to be used as a swab’s cover (14a3) where the hollow end (4) of the swab is to be lodged and retained, acting at the same time as an obstructive stopper (5a) for determining the reach limits of the handle’s conic end (17) inside the swab so it cannot surpass the limits of the cotton pads aiming to prevent eventual misuse.

At the same Fig. 8 another kind of gipping protrusion (18a) can also be noted being the insertion of the two longitudinal sections handle (14) with cover (14a3) into the swab’s hollow end (4) exhibited through Fig. 8A to 8C. Fig. 9A to 9C shows the sequence for getting an alternative constructive model of the Reduced Ecologic Swab when there was simply the inversion of the shape of the two main elements that form the Reduced Ecologic Swab set, being the stem (2) of the swab made up of a rigid paper stem and the handle (14) made up of paper straw thicker than the paper stem so that they have a compatible engagement, being the connection of the two elements made essentially in the same routine as previously explained by figures 6A up to 6C.

Fig 10 discloses an overview of the packaging box (19) of the Reduced Ecologic Swab (1 ) which was conceived not only for transportation and storage of the pieces but also to help the easy use of the swabs.

The packaging box (19) is therefore divided in multiple individual housings (20) where the Reduced Ecologic Swabs (1 ) could be set in the upright position (13) having theirs hollow end (4) facing up so they can be easily introduced by the swab’s handle (14) when the users want to pick them up being also provided in the storing box a case (21 ) for accommodating the swabs’ handle (14).

Figures 1 1 A and 1 1 B shows a constructive model of the grooves (22) for keeping the Reduced Ecologic Swab (1 ) in the proper upright position (13) for easy use of the swabs. Thus, in Fig. 1 1 A two layers (23) of thin carton material, for instance, plenty of small holes (24) with the adequate diameter suitable to accommodate the swab’s diameter are superimposed in order to allow the insertion and stable accommodation of a desired quantity of loaded swabs, as it can finally observed through Fig. 1 1 B.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.