Lift and drop ratchet stick dispenser

Abstract

The present invention is a dispenser for liquids or solids. It includes a main hollow housing with sidewalls, an open base and an open top. The base is open to receive an activator component and the top is at least partially open for dispensing material therethrough. There are also at least two sets of vertically aligned, horizontal housing ratchets located on the inside of the housing sidewalls. They are tapered downwardly so as to permit upward movement and restrict downward movement of a push plate located within the housing. There is also an activator component inserted into the bottom of the housing, which is reciprocally movable. It has at least two sets of vertically aligned horizontal ratchets extending upwardly and aligned against the inside of the housing sidewalls. The activator component has a flexible spring portion biasing the activator component downwardly. The activator component is reciprocally movable between a first, lower position and a second, higher position, such that when the activator component is moved from a first, lower position to a second, higher position, its ratchets move the push plate upwardly at least one ratchet length, and when the activator component is moved from the second position back to the first position, it is reset to advance the push plate upwardly upon a next reciprocation.