HUMIDIFIER RESERVOIR
An apparatus for humidifying a flow of pressurised, breathable air includes varying a first pressure of the flow of breathable gas to vary a level of thermal engagement between the conductive portion of the reservoir and the heater plate, varying a height of the variable portion varies a level of thermal engagement between the conductive portion of the reservoir and the heater plate, use of a humidifier reservoir base component with a maximum water capacity substantially equal to the predetermined maximum volume of water of the humidifier reservoir or the use of intersecting inlet and outlet axes.
1 . (canceled)
2 . A water reservoir for use with a respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) device for pressurising breathable air to treat a respiratory disorder in a patient, the water reservoir comprising:
a water reservoir base configured to hold a volume of water to be used for humidification of the breathable air, the water reservoir base including a conductor plate constructed from a heat conducting material, wherein when the water reservoir is connected to a water reservoir dock associated with the RPT device, the conductor plate thermally engages with a heater plate of the water reservoir dock so as to allow transfer of heat from the heater plate to the conductor plate during operation of the heater plate; and
a water reservoir lid connected to the water reservoir base;
wherein the water reservoir includes a retainer to secure the water reservoir to the water reservoir dock,
wherein the water reservoir lid and the water reservoir base are pivotably connected via a pair of joints positioned proximate a first end of the water reservoir,
wherein the water reservoir comprises a latch to secure the water reservoir lid and the water reservoir base, the latch being positioned on the water reservoir proximate a second end that is opposite to the first end, and
wherein the water reservoir includes a water reservoir inlet and a water reservoir outlet positioned on a common side wall of the water reservoir lid.
3 . The water reservoir of claim 2 , wherein, when the water reservoir is to be removed from the water reservoir dock, the water reservoir is configured so that downward pressing of the water reservoir lid disengages the retainer, and allows removal of the water reservoir from the water reservoir dock.
4 . The water reservoir of claim 2 ,
wherein the water reservoir inlet is associated with an inlet conduit, at least a portion of which being angled to redirect incoming pressurized air direction that is angled relative to the water reservoir inlet.
5 . The water reservoir and humidifier of claim 2 , wherein the water reservoir includes a pair of flanges adapted to allow sliding of the water reservoir relative to a pair of slots formed in the water reservoir dock.
6 . The water reservoir of claim 2 , wherein the water reservoir lid includes a pair of hubs, the water reservoir base including a pair of sockets to receive the pair of hubs and a support to engage a part of the water reservoir lid, when the water reservoir lid is pivotably opened to a fully open, upright position.
7 . The water reservoir of claim 2 , further comprising an elastomeric seal between the water reservoir lid and the water reservoir base.
8 . The water reservoir of claim 7 , wherein the elastomeric seal is attached to the water reservoir lid.
9 . The water reservoir of claim 7 , wherein the water reservoir base includes a flange projecting inwardly from side walls of the water reservoir base along a perimeter thereof and forming an opening into a cavity of the water reservoir base, the flange forming a sealing surface to engage the elastomeric seal when the water reservoir lid is pivoted to a closed position relative to the water reservoir base.
10 . The water reservoir of claim 9 , wherein the flange includes a lip extending along at least a portion of the perimeter of the flange, the lip extending perpendicular to the flange.
11 . The water reservoir of claim 2 , wherein the retainer is a projection, a clip, or a recess,
wherein, when the water reservoir is to be removed from the water reservoir dock, the water reservoir is configured so that downward pressing of the water reservoir lid disengages the retainer, and allows removal of the water reservoir from the water reservoir dock,
wherein the water reservoir inlet is associated with a water reservoir inlet passage that is angled to redirect incoming pressurized air direction that is angled relative to the water reservoir inlet,
wherein the water reservoir includes a pair of flanges adapted to allow sliding of the water reservoir relative to a pair of slots formed in the water reservoir dock
wherein the water reservoir lid includes a pair of hubs, the water reservoir base including a pair of sockets to receive the pair of hubs and a support to engage a part of the water reservoir lid, when the water reservoir lid is opened to a fully open, upright position,
further comprising an elastomeric seal between the water reservoir lid and the water reservoir base,
wherein the elastomeric seal is attached to the water reservoir lid,
wherein the water reservoir base includes a flange projecting inwardly from side walls of the water reservoir base along a perimeter thereof and forming an opening into a cavity, the flange forming a sealing surface to engage the elastomeric seal when the water reservoir lid is pivoted to a closed position relative to the water reservoir base, and
wherein the flange includes a lip extending along at least a portion of the perimeter of the flange, the lip extending perpendicular to the flange.
12 . A respiratory pressure therapy device comprising:
a housing enclosing a blower and forming the water reservoir dock; and
the water reservoir of claim 2 slidingly engageable with the water reservoir dock.
13 . A water reservoir for use with a respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) device for pressurising breathable air to treat a respiratory disorder in a patient, the water reservoir comprising:
a water reservoir base configured to hold a volume of water to be used for humidification of the breathable air, the water reservoir base including a conductor plate constructed from a heat conducting material; and
a water reservoir lid connected to the water reservoir base;
wherein the water reservoir includes a retainer to releasably secure the water reservoir to the RPT device,
wherein the water reservoir lid and the water reservoir base are pivotably connected via a pair of joints positioned proximate a first end of the water reservoir,
wherein the water reservoir comprises a latch to secure the water reservoir lid and the water reservoir base, the latch being positioned on the water reservoir proximate a second end that is opposite to the first end, and
wherein the water reservoir includes a water reservoir inlet and a water reservoir outlet positioned on a common side wall of the water reservoir.
14 . The water reservoir of claim 13 , wherein the water reservoir is configured so that downward pressing of the water reservoir lid disengages the retainer, and allows removal of the water reservoir.
15 . The water reservoir of claim 13 , wherein the water reservoir inlet is associated with an water reservoir inlet passage that is angled to redirect incoming pressurized air direction that is angled relative to the water reservoir inlet.
16 . The water reservoir of claim 13 , wherein the water reservoir includes a pair of flanges adapted to allow sliding of the water reservoir.
17 . The water reservoir of claim 13 , wherein the water reservoir lid includes a pair hubs, the water reservoir base including a pair of sockets to receive the pair of hubs and a support to engage a part of the water reservoir lid, when the water reservoir lid is opened to a fully open, upright position.
18 . The water reservoir of claim 13 , further comprising an elastomeric seal between the water reservoir lid and the water reservoir base.
19 . The water reservoir of claim 18 , wherein the elastomeric seal is attached to the water reservoir lid.
20 . The water reservoir of claim 18 , wherein the water reservoir base includes a flange projecting inwardly from side walls of the water reservoir base along a perimeter thereof and forming an opening into a cavity, the flange forming a sealing surface to engage the elastomeric seal when the water reservoir lid is pivoted to a closed position relative to the water reservoir base.
21 . The water reservoir of claim 20 , wherein the flange includes a lip extending along at least a portion of the perimeter of the flange, the lip extending perpendicular to the flange.
22 . The water reservoir of claim 13 , wherein the water reservoir inlet and the water reservoir outlet are positioned on the water reservoir lid, and
wherein the water reservoir inlet is associated with an inlet conduit having an interior end terminating within the water reservoir and the water reservoir outlet is associated with an outlet conduit having an interior end terminating within the water reservoir.
23 . The water reservoir of claim 22 , wherein a portion of the inlet conduit crosses or overlaps with a portion of the outlet conduit when the water reservoir is viewed from above, such that the portion of the inlet conduit and the portion of the outlet conduit are aligned in a common vertical plane when the water reservoir lid is pivoted to a closed position relative to the water reservoir base.
24 . The water reservoir of claim 23 , wherein the inlet conduit passes below the outlet conduit.
25 . The water reservoir of claim 23 , wherein the water reservoir inlet is positioned on the right side of the common side wall of the water reservoir as viewed from the common side wall, and the water reservoir outlet is positioned on the left side of common side wall as viewed from the common side wall, and the interior end of the inlet conduit is positioned on the left side of the water reservoir as viewed from the common side wall, and the interior end of the outlet conduit is positioned on the right side of the water reservoir as viewed from the common side.
26 . The water reservoir of claim 13 , wherein the retainer comprises a projection, a clip, or a recess,
wherein the water reservoir is configured so that downward pressing of the water reservoir lid disengages the retainer, to allow removal of the water reservoir,
wherein the water reservoir inlet is associated with a water reservoir inlet passage that is angled to redirect incoming pressurized air direction that is angled relative to the water reservoir inlet,
wherein the water reservoir includes a pair of flanges adapted to allow sliding of the water reservoir,
wherein the water reservoir lid includes a pair of hubs, the water reservoir base including a pair of sockets to receive the hubs and a support to engage a part of the water reservoir lid, when the water reservoir lid is opened to a fully open, upright position,
further comprising an elastomeric seal between the water reservoir lid and the water reservoir base,
wherein the elastomeric seal is attached to the water reservoir lid,
wherein the water reservoir base includes a flange projecting inwardly from side walls of the water reservoir base along a perimeter thereof and forming an opening into the cavity, the flange forming a sealing surface to engage the elastomeric seal when the water reservoir lid is pivoted to a closed position relative to the water reservoir base, and
wherein the flange includes a lip extending along at least a portion of the perimeter of the flange, the lip extending perpendicular to the flange.
27 . The water reservoir of claim 26 , wherein the water reservoir inlet and the water reservoir outlet are positioned on the water reservoir lid,
wherein the water reservoir inlet is associated with an inlet conduit having an interior end terminating within the water reservoir and the water reservoir outlet is associated with an outlet conduit having an interior end terminating within the water reservoir,
wherein a portion of the inlet conduit crosses or overlaps with a portion of the outlet conduit when the water reservoir is viewed from above, such that the portion of the inlet conduit and the portion of the outlet conduit are aligned in a common vertical plane when the water reservoir lid is pivoted to a closed position relative to the water reservoir base,
wherein the inlet conduit passes below the outlet conduit, and
wherein the water reservoir inlet is positioned on the right side of the common side wall of the water reservoir as viewed from the common side wall, and the water reservoir outlet is positioned on the left side of common side wall as viewed from the common side wall, and the interior end of the inlet conduit is positioned on the left side of the water reservoir as viewed from the common side wall, and the interior end of the outlet conduit is positioned on the right side of the water reservoir as viewed from the common side.
28 . The water reservoir of claim 13 , wherein the water reservoir inlet and the water reservoir outlet are positioned on the water reservoir lid,
wherein the water reservoir inlet is associated with an inlet conduit having an interior end terminating within the water reservoir and the water reservoir outlet is associated with an outlet conduit having an interior end terminating within the water reservoir,
wherein a portion of the inlet conduit crosses or overlaps with a portion of the outlet conduit when the water reservoir is viewed from above, such that the portion of the inlet conduit and the portion of the outlet conduit are aligned in a common vertical plane when the water reservoir lid is pivoted to a closed position relative to the water reservoir base,
wherein an inlet axis of the portion of the inlet conduit intersects with an outlet axis of the portion of the outlet conduit,
wherein the inlet conduit passes below the outlet conduit,
wherein the water reservoir inlet is positioned on the right side of the common side wall of the water reservoir as viewed from the common side wall, and the water reservoir outlet is positioned on the left side of common side wall as viewed from the common side wall, and the interior end of the inlet conduit is positioned on the left side of the water reservoir as viewed from the common side wall, and the interior end of the outlet conduit is positioned on the right side of the water reservoir as viewed from the common side, and
wherein the interior end of the inlet conduit has an opening contained in a horizontal plane, and the interior end of the outlet conduit has an opening contained in a vertical plane.
29 . A respiratory pressure therapy device comprising:
a housing enclosing a blower and forming a water reservoir dock; and
the water reservoir of claim 13 slidingly engagable with the water reservoir dock.