Latch with connecting parts forming a seal

A lever latch adapted to be mounted in an aperture formed in a door panel for releasably retaining the door against a corresponding frame, the latch comprising:

• a housing,
• a handle assembly pivotally attached to the housing, the handle assembly being rotatable between an opened and closed position,
• fastening means, the fastening means engaging the frame for retaining the door when the handle is assembly is rotated to its closed position, wherein the housing, handle assembly and fastening means are integrally connected forming a seal for preventing the passage of matter through the latch and thereby through the aperture when the latch is mounted therein,
• flange means extending outward a sufficient amount from the housing for engaging an outside surface of the door for preventing the passage of matter around the latch and through the aperture when the latch is mounted therein,
• means for securing the handle assembly in the closed position, wherein the housing includes a keeper for engaging the handle assembly when the handle assembly is in the closed position, means for disengaging the handle assembly from the closed position and biasing means, the biasing means being adapted for retaining the handle assembly in the closed position and urging the handle assembly from the closed position to the opened position upon disengagement, wherein the securing and disengaging means includes a trigger means pivotally mounted on and integrally disposed within the handle assembly, the trigger means engaging the keeper when the handle assembly is moved to the closed position, and the biasing means retaining the trigger means in the closed position and urging the trigger means and handle assembly to the opened position when the trigger means is disengaged from the keeper, the handle assembly further including an opening extending therethrough adapted for receiving the trigger means.