Abstract: The invention is directed to a dispenser of the type used for providing mured amounts of a paste, such as a toothpaste or shaving cream. A cylinder having a dispensing mouth but otherwise closed at the top is mounted for sliding movement within a casing in the bottom of which is a coiled spring and from which a piston rod extends upwardly toward the said mouth. A piston is slidably mounted on the piston rod with walls adjacent the inner wall of the cylinder, with a reed spring clip supporting the said piston. When the cylinder is pressed downwardly against the spring, the piston cannot move because of the gripping action of the reed spring clip and a predetermined amount of material is ejected from the mouth. Upon release of the cylinder, it moves upwardly under the force of the spring for a predetermined distance, and by action of the spring clip moves the piston upwardly. The parts are then in position for the next dispensing action.