Toothpick dispenser

A toothpick dispenser for dispensing a toothpick in a vertical position, comprising:

• a stationary base having an upright cylindrical housing that defines a longitudinal axis, said base includes a closed bore formed therein along said axis;
• a cylindrical body having an open top and a closed bottom for containing a plurality of toothpicks longitudinally on their ends in substantially vertical positions, said body telescopically received within said housing for vertical axial sliding movement therein between an upper loading position and a lower dispensing position,
• an upstanding support member projecting axially from said base within said housing for receiving a single toothpick on its end in an upright vertical position when said housing is moved to its loading position, said support member includes an axially extending cone-shaped opening in the free end thereof dimensioned to substantially correspond to the dimensions of a tapered end of a toothpick, said free end of said support member being split axially to provide a pair of resilient fingers to permit axial movement of a toothpick therein upon the application of a longitudinally directed force on a toothpick, and having its lower end slidably frictionally engaged in a press fit manner within said closed bore to permit adjustment of the height of the free end of said support member;
• said closed bottom sloping inwardly and downwardly toward a central opening formed therein, said central opening dimensioned to slidably receive said support member so that when said body is moved upwardly to its loading position the lower end of a single toothpick passes through said central opening and is received by said support member and when said body is moved downwardly to its dispensing position said support member closes said opening and said toothpick projects axially from said body.