Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet material, particularly metallic foil, positions each successively leading end region of the foil, after a preceding length of the foil has been severed, to stand freely in a generally upright condition away from a severing means which is preferably provided without sharp serrated cutting teeth to protect a user from injury during use of the dispenser, and to provide the user with ready access to each upstanding leading end region of the foil.

Abstract: A free end portion of sheet wrapping material is grasped and pulled from a dispenser transversely past and spaced from a V-shaped serrated cutting element mounted on a housing.

Abstract: A frictional drag arrangement for a sheet material dispenser tensions the withdrawn sheet material during each withdrawal, particularly when the sheet material supply is almost completely removed from its supporting roll. The arrangement includes leaf springs mounted within stub shafts that are insertable into the supporting roll. The leaf springs exert drag forces on the material.

Abstract: A free end portion of sheet wrapping material is grasped and pulled from a dispenser transversely past and spaced from a cutting element mounted on a housing. The cutting element is displaced in response to the movement of the withdrawn material by generating a displacement force, latching the cutting element against displacement in a normally guarded position in which the cutting element is inoperative for cutting, and thereupon unleashing the displacement force in response to a further movement of the material to drivingly displace the cutting element from the guarded position to a cutting position in which the cutting element is in a position to sequentially pierce and cut the sheet material that is subsequently moved toward the same. Methods of dispensing the sheet material and of wrapping items also are disclosed.

Abstract: A free end portion of sheet wrapping material is grasped and pulled from a dispenser transversely past and spaced from a cutting element mounted on a housing. The cutting element is displaced in response to the movement of the withdrawn material by generating a displacement force, latching the cutting element against displacement in a normally guarded position in which the cutting element is inoperative for cutting, and thereupon unleashing the displacement force in response to a further movement of the material to drivingly displace the cutting element from the guarded position to a cutting position in which the cutting element is in a position to sequentially pierce and cut the sheet material that is subsequently moved toward the same. Methods of dispensing the sheet material and of wrapping items also are disclosed.