Actuator-driven dispenser

A dispenser for metering a substance, the dispenser comprising:

• a housing having a longitudinal axis, the housing configured to receive an annular packet comprising at least one collapsible cavity containing at least one substance;
• a support member with gear teeth about the perimeter thereof, the support member positioned in the housing, the support member having a longitudinal axis essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, the support member rotatable within a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing;
• a wedge coupled to the support member, the wedge configured to rotate in the plane substantially parallel within the longitudinal axis of the housing and cooperatively with the support member;
• a bias element exerting a force on the wedge, the force directed substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the housing;
• and
• a reciprocating actuator coupled to the housing and engagable with a pawl, the pawl operably coupled with the gear teeth of the support member, the actuator moveable between an initial position and a first position wherein upon moving from the initial position the first position, the pawl drives the support member in a single predetermined increment causing the wedge to advance a single predetermined increment collapsing a portion of the cavity;
• wherein the actuator reciprocates in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing and cooperatively with the rotation of the support member.