Humidifier

In an electric steam humidifier comprising a container sized defining operating volume holding a sufficient amount of water to provide steam for eight hours or more and, disposed within said container, a heating element heating said water to generate steam,

• the improvement wherein
• said container comprises
• a base segment defining a portion only of said operating volume, and
• an upper segment defining another portion of said operating volume and further defining an aperture for escape of steam from said volume,
• said base segment and said upper segment intersecting in a water-tight joint,
• said upper segment, in a first, operating position, extended vertically upward, away from said base segment, defining with said base segment said operating volume, said upper segment having sidewalls extending generally inwardly from said joint, said aperture for escape of steam having a diameter less than the diameter of said joint, and
• said upper segment comprising a concave, rigid segment and said base segment being constructed to release from said upper segment, said upper and base segments in a first operating position, with the concavity of said upper segment facing said base segment, forming a water-tight container, and in a second storage position, with said upper segment inverted from said operating position relative to said base segment, forming a unit for compact storage,
• said humidifier, with said upper segment in a second, storage position relatively closer to said rigid base segment, defining and occupying a significantly reduced volume to facilitate storage and transport.