Seal retaining configuration for humidifier

A humidifier unit of the type used with a forced air heating system including a water reservoir defined by side and end walls joined to form the reservoir, the walls having upper edges forming an open top having a periphery and having a removable top plate for closing the open top, a water inlet connection to the reservoir, control means for maintaining the water level at a predetermined depth within the reservoir, and means for heating the water within the reservoir to produce steam, wherein the improvement comprises:

• horizontal flanges extending inward from the upper edges of each of the reservoir walls and acting as a gasket base around substantially the entire periphery;
• a lip extending upward toward the top plate from inner edges of each of the horizontal flanges and acting as an internal horizontal gasket retainer to prevent inward movement of the gasket;
• a gasket placed on the horizontal flanges;
• a latch means on the exterior of the side and end walls for clamping the top plate in direction toward the horizontal flanges to compress the gasket;
• and
• second flanges depending from all sides of the removable top plate and positioned to surround the upper edges of the side and end walls and to act as an external horizontal gasket retainer, at least portions of the lips on each of the side and end walls extending far enough upward from the inner edges of the horizontal flanges to stop compression of the gasket after the gasket has been compressed a predetermined amount, the lips thereafter mechanically supporting the top plate.

A water reservoir of the type which is used to contain water and steam in a humidifier for a forced air heating system, comprising:

• a reservoir container having a bottom and walls having upper edges which define an open top, said container further comprising a horizontal flange extending inwardly from at least one of said upper edges, said horizontal flange having an upper surface and an inner edge;
• a lip extending upwardly for a first vertical distance from said inner edge of said horizontal flange, said lip having an upper edge;
• and a gasket on said upper surface of said horizontal flange, said gasket having an uncompressed height which is greater than said first vertical distance and a minimum, fully compressed height which is less than said first vertical distance;
• a removable top plate having a bottom surface;
• and
• means for fastening said top plate to said container so that said gasket sealingly contacts said bottom surface of said top plate, whereby said upper edge of said lip will also contact said bottom surface to protect said gasket against over-compression.

An improved reservoir of the type which is used to contain water and steam in a humidifier for a forced air heating system comprising:

• a reservoir container having a bottom and at least one wall having an upper edge which defines an open top, said container further comprising a horizontal flange extending inwardly from said upper edge, said horizontal flange having an upper surface and an inner edge;
• a compressible gasket on said upper surface of said horizontal flange, said compressible gasket having an uncompressed vertical height and a fully compressed vertical height;
• a removable top plate having a bottom surface;
• means for fastening said top plate to said container so that said gasket is pressed against and seals said bottom surface of said removable top plate;
• and
• a lip for limiting compression of said compressible gasket, said lip being positioned between said upper surface of said horizontal flange and said bottom surface of said removable top plate, said lip having a vertical height which is less than said uncompressed vertical height of said gasket but greater than said compressed vertical height, whereby limited compression of said gasket for sealing purposes is allowed but over compression of said gasket which could elastically deform said gasket is prevented.