Humidifier reservoir

Abstract

An integrated respiratory pressure therapy device and humidifier for pressurising and humidifying breathable air to treat a respiratory disorder in a patient, includes a blower configured to pressurise the breathable air; a water reservoir configured to hold a volume of water to be used for humidification of the breathable air, the water reservoir comprising a water reservoir base, a water reservoir lid connected to the water reservoir base, and a compliant portion. The compliant portion is constructed from an elastomeric material and configured to seal between the water reservoir base and the water reservoir lid. A water reservoir dock forms a cavity configured to partially receive the water reservoir. The water reservoir lid includes a protrusion and the water reservoir dock includes a recess configured to releasably engage one another to secure the water reservoir to the water reservoir dock.

1 . A water reservoir for an apparatus for humidifying a flow of air, comprising: a base portion configured to hold a predetermined maximum volume of water, the base portion including an overfill protection element configured and arranged to prevent filling the base portion above the maximum volume of water. 
     
     
         2 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a lid portion movably connected to the base portion to allow the water reservoir to be convertible between an open configuration and a closed configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the overfill protection element is configured and arranged to prevent filling the base portion above the maximum volume of water when the water reservoir is in the open configuration and/or the closed configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a compliant portion configured to sealingly engage the lid portion and the base portion when the reservoir is in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the compliant portion is configured to block or seal the overfill protection element to prevent fluid communication into and out of the reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the overfill protection element is configured so that excess water above the maximum volume of water will spill out via the overfill protection element when the maximum volume of water is exceeded and the base portion is in its normal, working orientation. 
     
     
         7 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the overfill protection element comprises at least one orifice that defines an egress path of water when the maximum volume of water is exceeded. 
     
     
         8 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the overfill protection element is configured such that water only spills out through the at least one orifice when the maximum volume of water is exceeded. 
     
     
         9 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one orifice is provided in one or more positions along a perimeter of the base portion. 
     
     
         10 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one orifice is provided through an upper lip or flange provided along a perimeter of the base portion. 
     
     
         11 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one orifice includes one or more apertures, holes, slits, or slots that allows fluid communication into and out of the reservoir. 
     
     
         12 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising a compliant portion configured to sealingly engage the base portion when the reservoir is in a closed configuration, wherein the compliant portion is configured to block or seal the at least one orifice to prevent fluid communication into and out of the reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the compliant portion sealing engages the base on an outside of the at least one orifice. 
     
     
         14 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the overfill protection element comprises a sloped profile in a side profile of the base portion that defines an egress path of water when the maximum volume of water is exceeded. 
     
     
         15 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the sloped profile extends in one or more directions. 
     
     
         16 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the overfill protection element is configured such that water only spills out through the sloped profile when the maximum volume of water is exceeded. 
     
     
         17 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising a compliant portion configured to sealingly engage the base portion when the reservoir is in a closed configuration, wherein the compliant portion is configured to block or seal the sloped profile to prevent fluid communication into and out of the reservoir. 
     
     
         18 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the compliant portion sealing engages the base on an outer edge of the sloped profile. 
     
     
         19 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the overfill protection element is configured and arranged to prevent filling the base portion above the maximum volume of water when the water reservoir is in the open configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The water reservoir as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the overfill protection element is configured and arranged to prevent filling the base portion above the maximum volume of water when the water reservoir is in the closed configuration.