Web dispenser

In a web dispenser of the type having a roll container, means in the container for rotatively supporting a web roll, a swing-down cover hinged to the container, shelf means positioned just inside the front wall of the container extending substantially the entire length thereof, a long lateral gap formed in the shelf, a knife blade mounted in the cover adjacent the front wall thereof, said knife blade extending parallel to said gap and being of commensurate length, and a retractable sheath engaged under the knife blade, said sheath being movable between an extended position wherein it conceals the knife blade edge and a retracted position wherein it exposes said edge, characterized in that the sheath is constructed of a flexible resilient material and is downwardly bowed so that, when the cover is swung down toward said container, the sheath engages the shelf at the midportion thereof and then flexes so that it engages the shelf at points therealong progressively further away from the midportion by a rolling clamping action until, when the cover is almost fully closed, the sheath engages the shelf along substantially its entire length and is urged thereby to its retracted position whereby the blade edge projects into the shelf gap after cutting any web draped across the shelf.