Automatic dispenser for toothpaste and the like

Claim 1

An automatic dispenser comprising a lower housing and an upper housing fitted on said lower housing, said upper housing having an opening therein; means in said lower housing dividing said lower housing into a first compartment, a second compartment for containing gas under pressure and a third compartment; holder means including first container means disposed in said lower housing for containing the material to be dispensed, said holder means including a flexible portion in said first compartment, and neck means communicating with the interior of said container means and terminating in an exit nozzle extending into said upper housing adjacent said opening for directing the material to be dispensed, conduit means in said lower housing communicating said second compartment with said first compartment, valve means interposed in said conduit means and operable between open and closed positions for respectively releasing the gas from said second compartment and stopping the gas flow therefrom, means for opening said valve means including a pushbutton in said first compartment removably coupled to said valve means for opening said valve means upon depression of said pUshbutton and closing of said valve means upon release of said pushbutton, cap means in said upper housing removably mounted on said exit nozzle, actuating means mounted in said upper housing and coupled to said cap means including a pushrod movable to cause lifting and holding of said cap means in a removed position spaced from said exit nozzle and to cause lowering of said cap means into a closed position on said exit nozzle, and said upper housing being removable from said lower housing for placement on another lower housing similar to said lower housing.