Separation unit and a dispenser comprising a separation unit

A dispenser for a web material comprising preformed lines of weakness, the dispenser comprising:

• a housing defining a web material reservoir,
• a dispensing opening, and
• a separation unit having a width direction and comprising:
• at least a first shaft extending along a first longitudinal axis in the width direction;
• at least a second shaft extending along a second longitudinal axis in parallel with the first shaft, the second longitudinal axis being positioned at a distance from the first longitudinal axis in a direction perpendicular to the width direction;
• at least one first protrusion element extending perpendicularly from the first shaft and being arranged to be rotatable about the first longitudinal axis;
• and
• at least one second protrusion element extending perpendicularly from the second shaft and being arranged to be rotatable about the second longitudinal axis,
• wherein, in a use position of the separation unit, the first and second protrusion elements are arranged in a staggered relationship such that the protrusion element of the first shaft is partially overlapping with the protrusion element of the second shaft with a radial overlap length in a direction perpendicular to the shafts, thus forming an undulating passage for the web material between the shafts with the web width extending in the width direction,
• wherein the separation unit also comprises at least one contact element that is arranged in biased abutment against at least one of the first and second protrusion elements in a direction perpendicular to the first or second longitudinal axis about which the at least one of the first and second protrusion elements is rotatably arranged, the at least one contact element being positionable between the web material and at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft and including one or more openings through which at least one of the first protrusion elements and the second protrusion elements extend.