Abstract: An improved fan of the centrifugal type for bathrooms and the like has a housing with a base wall and four depending side walls. An exhaust outlet fitting in one of the walls has an integral centrifugal fan outlet cutoff. A venturi plate, positioned within the side walls and parallel but spaced from the base wall contains an inlet opening for the fan. The portion of the plate surrounding the opening is formed as a venturi. The inlet opening is spanned by a strut means to support the motor driving the centrifugal impeller. The struts have a generally T-shaped configuration so as to be removed from the portion of the opening adjacent the exhaust outlet fitting, thereby to enhance the efficiency of the fan. The base wall and one of the sidewalls contains reinforced holes for receiving the wiring. A flap in the housing covers the one of the holes not used for wiring connection purposes.

Abstract: A filter (2) for a ductless range hood includes a layer (8) providing an impact barrier for removing coarse particles such as grease spatters from cooking discharges and resisting the heat of incoming discharges, for preserving filtering capacity and service life of downstream layers, a second layer (10) providing absorption of grease remaining in the cooking discharge after passage through the first layer, a third layer (12) for removing noxious gases such as oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide from the cooking discharges and for absorbing odors, and a fourth layer (14) for removing fine particles such as smoke from the cooking discharges. Various combinations of layers are disclosed as well as various structural and framing configurations.

Abstract: A room ventilating device has an elongated duct mountable on or in the wall. The duct extends from near the ceiling to a blower mounted adjacent the floor. The blower draws hot air from along the ceiling down the duct. The blower is so formed and constructed as to project the hot air well into the room in a laminar flow thereby to induce a highly effective temperature equalizing air circulation in the room with the consumption of small amounts of energy.

Abstract: A trash compactor has a rotatable lead screw and stationary nut for raising and lowering the compacting ram by rotation of the screw. A housing surrounds the nut for preventing rotation of the nut with respect to the screw while permitting limited pivotal movement of the nut with respect to the housing responsive to eccentric compaction forces applied to the compacting ram. The housing is distortable for the same reason and to permit absorption of shocks arising from compaction. The nut may be formed of a self-lubricating plastic. The drive mechanism may be used in a trash compactor having an extensible linkage of the scissors jack or lazy tongs type in which the lead screw is journalled in one of the intermediate junction points of the linkage. The housing containing the nut is located at the other of the junction points so that rotation of the screw extends and retracts the linkage.

Abstract: An improved receptacle for a trash compactor is mounted on a drawer for movement into and out of the compactor along rails on the drawer. The receptacle is spaced from the rails so that dents or deformations of the receptacle do not affect the rails. The rear end wall of the compactor may be slanted so as to accommodate the arcuate travel of the ram of the compacting mechanism and the receptacle has a pyramidal shape to facilitate removal of the compacted trash.

Abstract: A deodorizer containing a deodorant material is mounted within the cabinet of a trash compactor for continuously releasing a scent to the air in the cabinet to mask odors emanating from the compacted trash.

Abstract: A latch means for the access door of a household trash compactor incorporates a door position sensing switch directly in the latching mechanism thereby to insure that the compactor may be operated only when the door is fully closed and locked. The latch means includes a catch engageable with a bar to secure the door. The sensing switch is operable by the engagement of the catch with the bar to permit operation of the compactor.