A dispenser for use in applying a protective barrier film to an item, the dispenser comprising: a casing, and a protective barrier film unit comprising a core onto which a roll of a plastic film is wound, the roll of a plastic film having a length direction and a transverse direction perpendicular to the length direction, the plastic film having first and second sides (502, 503), and the plastic film being formed with a plurality of rows of perforations (508, 510, 511) extending in the transverse direction and spaced apart in the length direction; the casing defining an interior to house the protective barrier film unit, the casing comprising a support arrangement to rotatably support the core of the protective barrier film unit, and the casing defining an opening to allow dispensing of plastic film from within the interior; the opening to allow dispensing of plastic film from within the interior while simultaneously protecting the plastic film from airborne particles; characterized in that, the core comprises first and second ends (512, 513), the support arrangement comprises first and second end caps (302, 303), each comprising a cradle, and first and second capstans (305, 306), each comprising a spindle; one of the first and second capstans (305, 306) is insertable into one of the first and second ends (512, 513) of the core of the protective barrier film unit and the spindle thereof is insertable into the cradle of one of the first and second end caps (302, 303), and the other of the first and second capstans (305, 306) is insertable into the other of the first and second ends (512, 513) of the core of the protective barrier film unit and the spindle thereof is insertable into the cradle of the other of the first and second end caps (302, 303). a casing, and a protective barrier film unit comprising a core onto which a roll of a plastic film is wound, the roll of a plastic film having a length direction and a transverse direction perpendicular to the length direction, the plastic film having first and second sides (502, 503), and the plastic film being formed with a plurality of rows of perforations (508, 510, 511) extending in the transverse direction and spaced apart in the length direction; the casing defining an interior to house the protective barrier film unit, the casing comprising a support arrangement to rotatably support the core of the protective barrier film unit, and the casing defining an opening to allow dispensing of plastic film from within the interior; the opening to allow dispensing of plastic film from within the interior while simultaneously protecting the plastic film from airborne particles; characterized in that, the core comprises first and second ends (512, 513), the support arrangement comprises first and second end caps (302, 303), each comprising a cradle, and first and second capstans (305, 306), each comprising a spindle; one of the first and second capstans (305, 306) is insertable into one of the first and second ends (512, 513) of the core of the protective barrier film unit and the spindle thereof is insertable into the cradle of one of the first and second end caps (302, 303), and the other of the first and second capstans (305, 306) is insertable into the other of the first and second ends (512, 513) of the core of the protective barrier film unit and the spindle thereof is insertable into the cradle of the other of the first and second end caps (302, 303).