An automatic discharge device, comprising: a housing (20) having a top portion (104) and a base portion (100), wherein surfaces defining a recess (200) are provided therebetween for securely holding a container (60). The housing has a cover (700) and there is provided a manual switch on the housing (20) which is actuable through an orifice (908) of the cover (700). The manual switch is positioned to be operated via a button (912) attached to the housing and protruding through the orifice in the cover (700), the button (912) including a top surface (916) for engagement by a users thumb or finger. The device further includes a drive motor (400) in association with the at least one gear (404) and an actuator arm (30). Activation of the drive motor (400) provides for movement of the actuator arm (30) via the at least one gear (404) between at least one of a pre-actuation position and a discharge position along a path that has a directional component parallel to a longitudinal axis of the recess (200).
