Seal retaining configuration for humidifier

Abstract

A humidifier unit is used with a forced air heating system and includes a water reservoir, a water inlet connection to the reservoir, control means for maintaining the water level at a predetermined depth, and a heat exchanger for heating the water to produce steam. This reservoir has a removable top plate for closing the open top defined by the upper edges of side and end walls. Horizontal flanges extend inward from the upper edges of the reservoir side and end walls and act as a gasket base. Lips extend upward from the inner edges of those horizontal flanges and act as an internal horizontal gasket retainer. Finally, flanges depend from all sides of the top plate and are positioned to surround the upper edges of the side walls and to act as an external horizontal gasket retainer.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A humidifier unit of the type used with a forced air heating system including a water reservoir defined by walls having upper edges forming an open top and having a removable top plate for closing the open top and fasteners for clamping the top plate in direction toward the top edges, 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 the reservoir walls to form a gasket base;   a lip extending upward form inner edges of the horizontal flanges and acting as an internal horizontal gasket retainer along substantially the length of the horizontal flanges;   a gasket placed on the horizontal flanges; and   second flanges depending from all sides of the removable top plate and positioned to surround the upper edges of the walls and to act as an external horizontal gasket retainer, the lip extending far enough from the inner edges of the horizontal flanges and from the upper edges of the walls to stop compression of the gasket after the gasket has been compressed a predetermined amount, the lip thereafter mechanically supporting the top plate.   
     
     
       2. The humidifier unit of claim 1, further comprising means for fastening the top plate to at least one of the walls. 
     
     
       3. The humidifier unit of claim 1, wherein the reservoir has side and end walls, and wherein the flanges and lips are integrally formed with the respective side and end walls. 
     
     
       4. The humidifier unit of claim 3 wherein the fasteners comprise means for fastening the top plate to the walls of the humidifier water reservoir to insure a tight seal and to facilitate maintenance comprising: second horizontal flanges extending outwardly from the second flanges on the top plate;   elongated threaded fasteners in the second horizontal flanges of the top plate, and having knobs on one end positioned above the second horizontal flanges; and   anchors connected to the walls of the humidifier below the second horizontal flanges and aligned with the respective openings for receiving the respective threaded fasteners to permit clamping the top plate against the gasket.   
     
     
       5. 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.   
     
     
       6. 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.   
     
     
       7. The reservoir of claim 6, wherein said container comprises at least three of said flanges and lips, and said lips are substantially continuous along the inner edges of the horizontal flanges, whereby said gasket is retained against inward slippage by said lip. 
     
     
       8. The reservoir of claim 6, wherein said fastening means comprises means for fastening the top plate to at least one of the walls. 
     
     
       9. The reservoir of claim 6, wherein the container has side and end walls, and wherein the flange and lip are integrally formed. 
     
     
       10. A reservoir according to claim 6, wherein said top plate has at least one downwardly depending flange, said flange being adapted to overlap one of said container walls, thereby tending to retain said gasket and center said top plate on said container. .Iadd. 
     
     
       11.  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. .Iaddend.