Abstract: A dispenser adapter to improve the dispensing of thin webs from rolls of material contained in conventional dispensing boxes is specially configured to provide its benefits of antirecoil and risk free tearing to a wide range of dispensing boxes. The adapter is particularly suited to being retrofitted to commercially available dispensing boxes containing a wide range of materials such as plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and wax paper, while allowing the user to dispense these various materials by a single consistent, positively controlled, feeding and tearing action. In a preferred embodiment, a pressure plate loaded by one or more metal springs allows the user to easily exert a proportional braking action, and alternate embodiments teach the use of low cost resilient materials in various arrangements to provide the desired dynamic spring action. Additionally, a complete dispensing unit is disclosed which incorporates the teachings of the improved adapter.