Sheet product dispensers and related methods for protecting a roll of sheet product and reducing waste

A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product, the dispenser comprising:

• a housing defining an interior space configured to receive the roll of sheet product therein, the housing comprising:
• a dispensing gap in communication with the interior space and configured to allow a tail portion of the roll of sheet product to extend therethrough and out of the interior space;
• a drainage gap in communication with the interior space and configured to allow a liquid to drain therethrough and out of the interior space, wherein the drainage gap is spaced apart from the dispensing gap;
• and
• a first shield positioned at least partially within the drainage gap;
• and
• a roll support positioned within the interior space and configured to rotatably support the roll of sheet product.

A method of protecting a roll of sheet product within a sheet product dispenser, the method comprising:

• providing the roll of sheet product rotatably supported by a roll support within an interior space of a housing of the sheet product dispenser;
• allowing a tail portion of the roll of sheet product to extend through a dispensing gap of the housing and out of the interior space;
• allowing a liquid to drain through a drainage gap of the housing and out of the interior space, wherein the drainage gap is spaced apart from the dispensing gap and positioned below the dispensing gap;
• and
• directing the liquid downward and toward the drainage gap via a first angled plate and a second angled plate of the housing, wherein the first angled plate and the second angled plate are positioned about a bottom of the housing and spaced apart to define the drainage gap therebetween.