Device and method for material removal
View Patent ↗A device is provided for removing material from a container. The device includes a scoop and a connector. The scoop extends distally from a shoulder portion. The connector extends proximally from the shoulder portion and couples the device to a tube within the container.
1. A system for dispensing material comprising:
a container having a bottom, side surfaces, and a mouth, the container being configured to house the material, the container having a corner between the bottom and the side surfaces with a defined radius of curvature;
a pump configured to couple to the mouth of the container;
a tube having a first end connected to the pump and a second end, the tube being configured to provide the material to the pump; and
a device connected to the second end of the tube, the device being configured for removing the material from the container, the device having:
a scoop extending distally from a shoulder portion; and
a connector extending proximally from the shoulder portion, the connector being configured to couple the device to the tube within the container, the connector including a reinforcing portion that extends distally into the scoop,
wherein the connector is a protuberance that is configured to fit within the tube to couple the device to the tube;
wherein a distal tip of the scoop is flat,
wherein opposite corners formed between opposite side edges of the scoop and the distal tip of the scoop are curved, and
wherein a radius of curvature of the opposite corners matches the defined radius of curvature of the container.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the protuberance and an inner surface of the tube form a pressure fit.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the scoop is uniformly curved from the shoulder portion to the distal tip.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rigidity of the scoop is less than the rigidity of the container such that the scoop flexes when pressed against the container.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a channel extending through the device from a distal tip of the scoop to a proximal tip of the connector such that the distal tip of the scoop and the tube are in fluid communication through the channel.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein a length of the tube and a length of the device are configured such that the device can access material in interior extremities of a lower half of the container.