an apparatus for unloading heat meltable material from a container including a vertically moveable platen assembly having a platen supported by a platen carriage . the weight of the platen assembly is trapped between a balance spring which urges the platen assembly upwardly and a pressure spring which exerts a downward pressure on the platen assembly . the springs are fixed about a motor driven lead screw retaining the balance spring against the platen assembly from below and a pressure adjusting nut retaining the pressure spring against the platen assembly from above . descent of the lead screw without an equivalent movement by the platen assembly will cause a disequilibrium in spring tensions as the balance spring expands and the pressure spring compresses . a limiting switch restricts the amount the lead screw can move after platen contact with the heat meltable material prevents further platen carriage movement . as material is dispensed the platen carriage will slowly catch up with the position of the turn screw and eventually the limit switch will once again engage , allowing the lead screw to descend some preselected incremental amount determined by the limiting switch . the apparatus also contains an applicator head safety switch activated during extended periods of nonuse . when activated , the safety switch prevents lead screw movement .