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A CPAP device includes a humidifier including humidifier tub having a heat conducting base plate; and a cradle to support the humidifier tub in an operative position. The cradle may also support a flow generator in operative relation to the humidifier tub. The cradle includes a heater plate in commu

A CPAP device includes a humidifier including humidifier tub having a heat conducting base plate; and a cradle to support the humidifier tub in an operative position. The cradle may also support a flow generator in operative relation to the humidifier tub. The cradle includes a heater plate in communication with the heat conducting base plate of the humidifier tub in use. The cradle further includes a retaining mechanism to retain the humidifier tub in the cradle, the retaining mechanism being structured to force the base plate into engagement with the heater plate. The humidifier and/or flow generator may include various features to manage inadvertent back-spill of water from the humidifier to the flow generator.

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1. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device comprising: a humidifier tub including a heat conducting base plate; anda cradle defining a receiving area configured to laterally receive the humidifier tub and support the humidifier tub in an operative position, the cradle a comprising: a hea

1. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device comprising: a humidifier tub including a heat conducting base plate; anda cradle defining a receiving area configured to laterally receive the humidifier tub and support the humidifier tub in an operative position, the cradle a comprising: a heater plate configured to communicate with the base plate of the humidifier tub;a retaining mechanism configured to retain the humidifier tub in the cradle; anda biasing structure arranged to provide a biasing force that forces the base plate and the heater plate together into thermal engagement,wherein when the cradle is in an upright operating position, the biasing structure is positioned at a periphery of the receiving area and is offset from a receiving side of the cradle so that the humidifier tub occupies a portion of the receiving area before engaging the biasing structure as the humidifier tub is laterally received by the cradle. 2. A CPAP device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing structure includes at least one spring that forces the base plate into engagement with the heater plate. 3. A CPAP device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a securing catch that lifts up and down to enable release or insertion of the humidifier tub. 4. A CPAP device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a front guard that enables release or insertion of the humidifier tub. 5. A CPAP device according to claim 1, further comprising a flow generator provided to the cradle and in communication with the humidifier tub. 6. A CPAP device according to claim 5, wherein the flow generator includes a motor having a motor outlet, a muffler chamber having an inlet coupled to the motor outlet and a muffler outlet in communication with a flow generator outlet. 7. A CPAP device according to claim 6, wherein an axis of the motor outlet is offset from an axis of the muffler outlet and/or the flow generator outlet. 8. A CPAP device according to claim 6, wherein the muffler chamber is structured to store a predetermined amount of water that may be inadvertently introduced into the flow generator outlet from the humidifier tub. 9. A CPAP device according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined amount of water is 100 ml. 10. A CPAP device according to claim 6, wherein said muffler chamber includes an upper part conduit portion and a lower storage portion integrally formed with the upper part conduit portion. 11. A CPAP device according to claim 5, wherein the cradle and/or humidifier tub is configured to orient the humidifier tub in a predetermined position with respect to the flow generator. 12. A CPAP device according to claim 1, further comprising a locking structure configured to secure the humidifier tub relative to the cradle. 13. A CPAP device according to claim 1, wherein the heater plate includes a ceramic heating element. 14. A CPAP device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing force is in a downward direction. 15. A CPAP device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing structure is provided at a lateral periphery of the receiving area. 16. A method for retaining a humidifier tub to a cradle, comprising: providing a cradle including a retaining mechanism and a biasing structure;moving the retaining mechanism to a first position that enables insertion of the humidifier tub;laterally sliding the humidifier tub into a receiving area defined by the cradle;bringing the humidifier tub into engagement with the biasing structure after a portion of the humidifier tub has already been laterally slid into the receiving area; andmoving the retaining mechanism to a second position that secures the humidifier tub in an operative position,wherein when the cradle is in an upright operating position, the biasing structure applies a biasing force from a lateral periphery of the receiving area to force a heat conducting base plate of the humidifier tub and a heater plate of the cradle toward each other and into thermal engagement with each other. 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the biasing structure includes at least one spring. 18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the biasing structure forces the humidifier tub downward toward the heater plate of the cradle. 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the retaining mechanism is moved to the second position and the biasing structure is enabled after the humidifier tub is fully installed in the cradle. 20. A humidifier assembly adapted to be coupled to a flow generator, the humidifier assembly comprising: a cradle supporting a tub and having a heater plate, the tub having an inlet positioned on a rear wall of the tub and an outlet located on an upper side of the tub, the inlet being adapted to be in fluid communication with an output from the flow generator, the outlet of the tub being adapted to be in fluid communication with an air delivery conduit;the tub including a heat conducting base plate provided to a bottom portion of the tub and adapted to be in thermal contact with the heater plate of the cradle when the tub is positioned within the cradle by sliding the tub from front to back relative to the cradle, the tub and the base plate defining a chamber that is adapted to receive a volume of water, wherein the chamber is configured so that a supply of pressurized air received from the flow generator through the inlet of the tub collects moisture through contact with water within the tub before continuing on to the outlet of the tub; anda connector configured to be positioned adjacent the inlet of the tub, the connector including an attaching portion and a flexible sealing portion formed in one piece, the flexible sealing portion defining a face seal of silicone, the face seal comprising an aperture configured to be adjacent to or abut a flat surface surrounding the inlet of the tub when the tub is properly docked on the cradle, wherein the flexible sealing portion has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the attaching portion and the flat surface surrounding the inlet of the tub remains outside of the aperture of the face seal. 21. A humidifier assembly according to claim 20, wherein the face seal comprises a conforming, bellows-type seal. 22. A humidifier assembly according to claim 21, wherein the bellows-type seal includes an internal channel configured to be positioned adjacent the inlet of the tub. 23. A humidifier assembly according to claim 22, wherein the attaching portion includes a sealing element. 24. A humidifier assembly according to claim 23, wherein the flexible sealing portion is constructed such that the flexible sealing portion does not have any split lines. 25. A humidifier assembly according to claim 23, wherein the aperture on the face seal is larger than an inlet aperture of the inlet of the tub. 26. A humidifier assembly according to claim 23, wherein the face seal is conformable along an axis of the inlet of the tub. 27. A humidifier assembly according to claim 26, wherein the face seal is flexible, upwards, downwards, and/or sideways, angularly, pivotally, and/or rotationally to accommodate misalignment and/or manufacturing tolerances. 28. A humidifier assembly according to claim 26, wherein the face seal is conformable and flexible within a predetermined range. 29. A humidifier assembly according to claim 28, wherein the face seal is axially and/or laterally flexible within a range of 1-5 mm. 30. A humidifier assembly according to claim 29, wherein the face seal is configured to form a seal with the inlet of the tub even if the axis of the connector is not aligned with the axis of the inlet. 31. A humidifier assembly according to claim 30, wherein the tub includes a baffle adjacent the inlet, the baffle including a curved surface to promote circulation and water pickup. 32. A humidifier assembly according to claim 31, wherein the base plate comprises aluminum. 33. A humidifier assembly according to claim 32, wherein the attaching portion is attached to a structure configured to receive a flow of breathable gas from the flow generator. 34. A humidifier assembly according to claim 33, wherein the face seal comprises a pressure-activated seal. 35. A humidifier assembly according to claim 34, wherein the attaching portion of the connector is configured to be removably attached to the structure that receives the flow of breathable gas from the flow generator and the flexible sealing portion protrudes therefrom, the inlet of the tub being configured to be positioned adjacent to or abut the face seal such that when pressurized air flows out through the outlet of the flow generator, the face seal fills with air and establishes a pressurized face seal with the inlet of the tub. 36. A humidifier assembly according to claim 35, wherein the face seal is configured to be spaced from the inlet of the tub, in an initial position, and, as pressurized air flows into the tub, the face seal fills with air and expands into engagement with an axially facing surface of the inlet of the tub. 37. A humidifier assembly according to claim 35, wherein the face seal of the flexible sealing portion has 2 mm to 3 mm interference from a nominal contact point to ensure sufficient contact when the inlet of the tub and the connector make contact on each other. 38. A humidifier assembly according to claim 20, wherein a maximum volume of water is several hundred milliliters. 39. A humidifier assembly according to claim 20, wherein the cradle has a biasing structure configured to provide a biasing force that forces the base plate and the heater plate together into thermal engagement, and wherein the tub includes a surface extending from a side wall of the tub and the surface of the tub extending from the side wall is configured to slidingly engage an underside of the biasing structure when the tub is sliding from front to back relative to the cradle. 40. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device including: a flow generator to generate pressurized gas in the range of 4-28 cm H2O; anda humidifier assembly adapted to be coupled to the flow generator, the humidifier assembly comprising: a cradle having a heater plate provided to a bottom surface of the cradle;a tub configured to be slidingly received and supported by the cradle and having an inlet positioned on a rear wall of the tub and an outlet located on an upwardly facing surface of the tub, the inlet being adapted to be in fluid communication with an output from the flow generator when the humidifier assembly is coupled to the flow generator, the outlet of the tub being adapted to be in fluid communication with an air delivery conduit in use;the tub including a heat conducting base plate provided to a bottom portion of the tub and adapted to be in thermal contact with the heater plate of the cradle when the tub is positioned within the cradle by sliding the tub from front to back relative to the cradle, the tub and the base plate defining a chamber that is adapted to receive a volume of water, wherein, the chamber is configured to receive pressurized air from the flow generator through the inlet of the tub so that the pressurized air collects moisture through contact with water within the tub before continuing on to the outlet of the tub; anda connector positioned adjacent the inlet of the tub, the connector including an attaching portion and a flexible sealing portion formed in one piece, the flexible sealing portion defining a face seal of silicone, the face seal comprising an aperture that is adjacent to or abuts a flat surface surrounding the inlet of the tub when the tub is properly docked on the cradle, wherein the flexible sealing portion has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the attaching portion, and the flat surface surrounding the inlet of the tub remains outside of the aperture of the face seal. 41. A CPAP device according to claim 40, further comprising a structure in communication with the flow generator and the humidifier assembly, the attaching portion of the connector being connected to the structure. 42. A CPAP device according to claim 41, wherein the cradle is structured to support the tub in an operative position with respect to the flow generator. 43. A CPAP device according to claim 42, wherein the cradle is structured to push the tub downwards onto the heater plate. 44. A CPAP device according to claim 43, further comprising a spring to bias the heater plate and the base plate into good thermal contact with one another. 45. A CPAP device according to claim 44, wherein the cradle includes a securing catch that lifts up and down to enable release or insertion of the tub. 46. A CPAP device according to claim 45, wherein the securing catch includes a stop positioned in front of the tub when the securing catch is closed to retain the tub in place. 47. A CPAP device according to claim 45, wherein the securing catch is structured to prevent access to the heater plate when the tub is inserted, including access to the front of the base plate. 48. A CPAP device according to claim 45, wherein the cradle includes upstanding side walls to engage sides of the tub upon sliding insertion of the tub into the cradle when docking. 49. A CPAP device according to claim 48, wherein the side walls include generally planar surfaces. 50. A CPAP device according to claim 49, wherein gaps between the sides of the tub and the cradle are dimensioned to be smaller than the size of a finger. 51. A CPAP device according to claim 45, wherein the securing catch is structured to provide a clicking sound when the tub is properly docked thereby providing audio and/or tactile feedback. 52. A CPAP device according to claim 43, wherein the cradle further comprises a retaining structure configured to receive sides of the tub upon initial insertion of the tub into the cradle and initially direct the base plate over the heater plate and direct the base plate into contact with the heater plate upon full insertion of the tub in the cradle. 53. A CPAP device according to claim 40, wherein the cradle defines a receiving area configured to slidingly receive and support the tub, the heater plate is located at a bottom surface of the receiving area, wherein the cradle further includes a biasing structure configured to provide a biasing force that forces the base plate and the heater plate together into thermal engagement,wherein the tub is configured so that a side portion of the tub slides directly beneath the biasing structure when the tub is slidingly received in the receiving area, andwherein the tub is configured so that a front portion of the tub slides across the heater plate of the cradle before the side portion engages the biasing structure when the tub is slidingly received in the receiving area. 54. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device comprising: a humidifier tub including a heat conducting base plate; anda cradle to support the humidifier tub in an operative position, the cradle comprising: a heater plate configured to communicate with the base plate of the humidifier tub; anda retaining structure with lateral portions,wherein the retaining structure is configured to retain the humidifier tub in the cradle and is configured to lift up and down to enable release or insertion of the humidifier tub in a receiving area defined by the cradle,wherein the lateral portions are configured to provide a downwardly directed force to ensure good thermal contact between the base plate of the humidifier tub and the heater plate, andwherein the receiving area of the cradle is structured to laterally receive a portion of the tub before the tub engages the lateral portions. 55. A CPAP device according to claim 54, wherein the retaining structure includes at least one spring that forces the base plate into engagement with the heater plate. 56. A CPAP device according to claim 55, further including a one piece face seal configured to be adjacent an inlet of the humidifier tub, the face seal having an attaching end and a flexible, compliant sealing portion configured to contact a planar surface of the tub surrounding the inlet of the tub upon docking the tub relative to the cradle. 57. A CPAP device according to claim 56, further comprising a flow generator in communication with the humidifier tub. 58. A CPAP device according to claim 57, wherein the flow generator includes a motor having a motor outlet in communication with a flow generator outlet. 59. A CPAP device according to claim 58, wherein an axis of the motor outlet is oriented to be offset with an axis of the flow generator outlet. 60. A CPAP device according to claim 54, further comprising a spill-back sump positioned in front of an inlet of the humidifier tub, to store a predetermined amount of water that may be inadvertently introduced toward a flow generator outlet from the humidifier tub. 61. A CPAP device according to claim 60, wherein the predetermined amount of water is about 100 ml. 62. A CPAP device according to claim 54, wherein the retaining structure receives sides of the humidifier tub upon initial insertion of the humidifier tub into the cradle and initially directs the base plate over the heater plate and directs the base plate into contact with the heater plate when the humidifier tub is fully inserted in the cradle. 63. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, comprising: a flow generator to generate a pressurized gas flow in a range of 4-28 cm H2O;a humidifier assembly to humidify the pressurized gas flow, the humidifier assembly comprising: a tub configured to store liquid and including an inlet configured to receive the pressurized gas flow and direct the pressurized gas flow into contact with the liquid, a heat conducting base plate provided to a bottom portion of the tub, and an outlet configured to deliver the pressurized gas flow to an air delivery conduit in use, anda cradle configured to support the tub in an operative position to receive the pressurized gas flow, the cradle including a heater plate in contact with the base plate of the tub in the operative position, a retaining mechanism configured to retain the tub in the cradle and to bring the base plate into engagement with the heater plate, and a spring configured to bias the heater plate and the base plate toward each other and into good thermal contact with each other; anda connector including an inlet to receive the pressurized gas flow from the flow generator, an outlet to deliver the pressurized gas flow to the inlet of the tub, and a conforming, bellows-type seal to seal the inlet of the tub when the tub is in the operative position and the pressurized gas flow is in the connector. 64. A CPAP device according to claim 63, wherein the retaining mechanism includes lateral portions positioned at laterally opposing side walls of the cradle, wherein the lateral portions extend inwardly from the side walls toward an interior of the cradle,wherein the tub includes projections extending laterally outward from respective side walls, andwherein the tub projections are configured to engage the lateral portions of the retaining mechanism and force the base plate into engagement with the heater plate. 65. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device comprising: a flow generator to generate a pressurized gas flow in a range of 4-28 cm H2O;a humidifier assembly configured to humidify the pressurized gas flow, the humidifier assembly comprising: a tub adapted to store liquid, the tub including an inlet to receive the pressurized gas flow and direct the pressurized gas flow into contact with the liquid, and an outlet configured for communication with an air delivery tube;a heat conducting base plate positioned on a bottom portion of the tub;anda cradle configured to support the tub in an operative position to receive the pressurized gas flow, the cradle comprising: a movable front guard configured to retain the tub in the cradle;a heater plate; anda biasing mechanism configured to bias the heater plate into engagement with the base plate; anda connector configured to connect an outlet of the flow generator and the inlet of the tub, the connector comprising: a plastic attaching portion configured to guide the pressurized gas flow from the flow generator; anda flexible sealing portion associated with the plastic attaching portion, the flexible sealing portion comprising a bellows-type conforming face seal adapted to form a seal with the inlet of the tub by abutting a surface surrounding the inlet of the tub that remains outside an aperture of the flexible sealing portion. 66. A CPAP device according to claim 65, wherein the inlet of the tub and the surface that abuts the face seal are coplanar. 67. A CPAP device according to claim 65, wherein the face seal is flexible in all directions. 68. A CPAP device according to claim 67, wherein the face seal is self-aligning. 69. A CPAP device according to claim 65, wherein the flexible sealing portion is configured to interlock with the plastic attaching portion. 70. A CPAP device according to claim 65, wherein the plastic attaching portion comprises an attachment structure configured to enable secure attachment to the outlet of the flow generator. 71. A CPAP device according to claim 65, wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to bias the tub downward. 72. A CPAP device according to claim 71, wherein the cradle is configured to support at least a portion of the tub before the tub is biased downward by the biasing mechanism. 73. A CPAP device according to claim 65, wherein the tub further includes laterally extending projections extending from respective side walls of the tub, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises lateral portions offset from a front of the cradle and positioned at opposing lateral sides of the cradle,wherein the lateral portions are configured to engage the laterally extending projections of the tub and bias the heater plate into engagement with the base plate, andwherein the tub is configured so that when the tub is laterally received in the cradle, the laterally extending projections of the tub slide against respective undersides of the lateral portions. 74. A CPAP device according to claim 65, further comprising a curved baffle positioned in the tub and configured to change a direction of the pressurized gas flow. 75. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device comprising: a humidifier tub comprising: an inlet positioned on a rear wall of the humidifier tub;an outlet located on a substantially horizontal surface of the humidifier tub;upstanding side walls extending between the rear wall of the humidifier tub and a front wall of the humidifier tub;a shoulder extending horizontally outwards from a lower portion of each side wall of the humidifier tub; anda heat conducting base plate; anda cradle adapted to support the humidifier tub in a fully installed position, the humidifier tub being configured to be slidingly received within the cradle in an assembly direction toward a front wall of the cradle and to be slidingly withdrawn from the cradle in a withdrawal direction away from the front wall of the cradle, the front wall of the cradle being configured to face the rear wall of the humidifier tub when the humidifier tub is docked within the cradle, the cradle comprising: side walls configured to face the side walls of the humidifier tub such that the humidifier tub is properly aligned with respect to the cradle as the humidifier tub is slid in the assembly direction;a C-shaped channel located at each lateral side wall of the cradle and adapted to slidingly receive a respective said shoulder of the humidifier tub;a stop configured to prevent the humidifier tub from being removed from the cradle in the withdrawal direction when the humidifier tub is fully installed within the cradle; anda heater plate configured to communicate with the base plate of the humidifier tub,wherein each said shoulder of the humidifier tub comprises a main portion with an upper surface that is substantially level and a ramped portion oriented towards the front wall of the cradle in the fully installed position, andwherein the humidifier tub is configured so that during installation of the humidifier tub in the cradle, for each said shoulder, said ramped portion engages a respective said C-shaped channel before the main portion. 76. A CPAP device according to claim 75, wherein the cradle further comprises a spring biasing mechanism configured to exert a biasing force against the humidifier tub as the humidifier tub is slid in the assembly direction such that the base plate of the humidifier tub is maintained against the heater plate of the cradle. 77. A CPAP device according to claim 76, wherein each said shoulder of the humidifier tub is configured so that when each said shoulder is inserted in the respective said C-shaped channel, the spring biasing mechanism is displaced against the biasing force. 78. A CPAP device according to claim 77 further comprising a flexible connector adapted to fluidly connect the humidifier tub to a flow generator, the flexible connector being configured to sealingly engage the inlet on the rear wall of the humidifier tub. 79. A CPAP device according to claim 75, wherein the stop is configured to prevent withdrawal of the humidifier tub in the withdrawal direction when the stop and the humidifier tub are moved relative to one another in a vertical direction and the humidifier tub is in the fully installed position. 80. A CPAP device according to claim 79, wherein the side walls of the humidifier tub are generally planar. 81. A CPAP device according to claim 80, wherein the cradle is configured through spring action to force the base plate of the humidifier tub against the heater plate of the cradle. 82. A CPAP device according to claim 75, further comprising a flexible connector adapted to fluidly connect the humidifier tub to a flow generator, the flexible connector being configured to sealingly engage the inlet on the rear wall of the humidifier tub, wherein: the cradle further comprises a spring biasing mechanism configured to exert a biasing force against the humidifier tub as the humidifier tub is slid in the assembly direction such that the base plate of the humidifier tub is maintained against the heater plate of the cradle,each said shoulder of the humidifier tub is configured so that when each said shoulder is inserted in the respective said C-shaped channel, the spring biasing mechanism is displaced against the biasing force,the side walls of the humidifier tub are generally planar, andthe cradle is configured through spring action to force the base plate of the humidifier tub against the heater plate of the cradle.