Abstract: A dispenser for flexible sheet material rolls in which a first roll is supported in a dispensing position, a second roll is supported in a reserve position and a roll transfer apparatus is operative to transfer the second roll to the dispensing position upon depletion of sheet material from the first roll with the supporting arrangement for the roll in the dispensing postion being rotatable with such roll and thereby subject to significantly reduced friction effects.

Abstract: A towel roll brake is not needed in this "grab and pull" dispenser to prevent the overspun towel from the roll from entering the nip region. An extra idler roll rests on the pinch roll and is counterrotated thereby, and any overspun web resting on the idler roll is kicked to the back of the dispenser. Fingers formed on the inside surface of the dispenser cover are positioned to derfine with the idler roll a gap which is only one-ply wide and through which the toweling must pass to reach the nip region, thereby preventing the overspun web from folding over onto itself. Without the brake tearing or "tabbing" of the soft towel in the user's (wet) hands as he pulls down on it is prevented.