Abstract: A solar collector has a polygonal top panel forming a top face and having at least three edges, a similarly polygonal bottom panel forming a bottom face directed away from the top face and fitted congruently to the top panel to form a flow passage extending between the faces, and at least four connectors projecting from at least three of the edges.

Abstract: A toilet paper dispenser is provided that is operable in an automatic dispensing mode and a manual dispensing mode. The dispenser comprises a housing for containing a toilet paper roll; a drive roller engagable with the roll; a motor; and a one-way coupling that couples the motor to the drive roller in a first direction to automatically dispense paper from the dispenser and decouples same in an opposite second direction, thereby enabling toilet paper to be manually dispensed in the first direction.

Abstract: A pallet assembly is composed of multiple pallet pieces and multiple wedging elements. Each pallet piece has four corners with four individual legs and multiples engaging holes defined on sides of the pallet piece. Each leg is rectangular in transversal cross-section and selectively has a mortise or a tenon to detachably and engages with other corresponding leg on an adjacent stacked pallet piece in the pallet assembly. Moreover, each wedging element is clamped between two adjacent juxtaposed pallet pieces to widen the pallet assembly. Thereby, the pallet assembly is versatile in changing sizes, easy to be assembled and disassembled, stable in use and convenient in storage.

Abstract: A hybrid towel dispenser is provided that is operable in an automatic dispensing mode and a manual dispensing mode. The dispenser comprises a rotatable drum having a retractable knife that extends out of the drum when the drum rotates past a selected position and severs a towel segment from a towel sheet that engages the cutting drum; a motor; a one-way bearing coupling the motor to the drum such that the motor rotates the drum in the automatic dispensing mode and a user can rotate the drum in the manual dispensing mode separately from the motor. The dispenser can additionally have a manual advance assembly with a lever rotationally coupled to the cutting drum and operable by the user to rotate the drum in the manual dispensing mode.

Abstract: The invention consists of a bung (10) for a paper roll. The bung is comprised of a body (12) and a roll contacting element (14) frangibly coupled to the body. When the bung (10) is inserted into the cylindrical opening of the paper roll, the roll contacting element (14) breaks off from the body (12).

Abstract: A core replacement system for a dispenser of rolled sheet material, having a core for supporting said rolled sheet material and a part insertable in the core, wherein the core is complementary to and engagable with the part such that it rotates with the core. The core is preferably made of extruded plastic, although injection molded plastic, metal or would also work. The core replacement system enables manufacturers to control which types or brands of paper are used with specified dispensers.

Abstract: A rotating device has a turning wheel, a threaded sleeve, and a nut. The turning wheel has a hub having a center hole, a wheel rim, and a plurality of spokes connected to the hub and the wheel rim. The threaded sleeve has a flange and an outer thread. The threaded sleeve is inserted through the center hole of the hub and a through hole of a table plate. The nut engages with the outer thread of the threaded sleeve. An umbrella has a center post inserted through the threaded sleeve.

Abstract: The invention is a toilet paper dispenser designed to hold two rolls of toilet paper. The dispenser has a housing containing a primary roll support and a secondary roll support. The secondary roll support is disposed parallel to and vertically above the primary roll support. The secondary roll support is connected to a release mechanism operative to lower the secondary roll support into a position to dispense toilet paper from its roll of toilet paper when the primary roll of toilet paper is exhausted. A roll guard prevents access to the secondary roll until the release mechanism has been activated. The release mechanism is automatically activated and released by a user-controlled trigger mechanism, preferably a lever, so that a user exhausting the primary roll of toilet paper may access the secondary roll without interfering with the dispenser.

Abstract: The invention consists of a paper towel dispenser for dispensing individual sheets of paper towels from a roll of paper having regularly spaced apart lines of partial severance. The dispenser is comprised of a housing and a housing door which can be pivotally opened to allow a roll of sheet material to be inserted into the dispenser. The dispenser has a funnel-shaped exit to allow the end of the roll to protrude in order to be grasped by the user. A paper towel tearing member is located adjacent to the exit aperture of said funnel and the opening of this member is adjustable in order to vary the size of the opening of the dispenser. This adjustment of the exit size creates an adjustment in the position at which the sheet tears away from the roll to allow the use of different types of sheet material in a single dispenser.