Rheem Manufacturing Company

Keith R Clark

Paul G Daugirda

Michael Focia, Jr

A method of manufacturing a foam insulated water heater of the type having an inner tank, a layer of insulating foam material surrounding the inner tank and an outer protective shell includes, in one embodiment, the steps of (1) forming a flexible, expandable bag in a configuration which may be placed between the tank and shell, (2) attaching the flexible bag between the tank and shell, (3) filling the bag with a foam material which expands, and (4) continuing to fill the bag so that foam material expands through relief openings in the bag to fill the remainder of the space between the tank and the shell.

Foam insulated tank

Method of manufacturing foam insulated tank

An improved water heater tank leg support assembly includes a plurality of legs formed from a generally rectangular blank by bending the sides of the blank to form a shearing action vertical support member which is spaced by the base. A boss or depression in the base supports the leg member above the floor. The base engages a pan which is suspended beneath a water heater tank. The upstanding vertical legs of the leg support support the water heater tank itself.

Method of making an improved water heater tank assembly

An improved water heater tank leg support assembly includes a plurality of legs formed from a generally rectangular blank by bending the sides of the blank to form a shearing action vertical support member which is spaced by the base. A boss or depression in the base supports the leg member above the floor. The base engages a pan which is suspended beneath a water heater tank. The upstanding vertical legs of the leg support the water heater tank itself.

Water heater tank assembly

A method of manufacturing a foam insulated water heater of the type having an inner tank, a layer of insulating foam material surrounding the inner tank and an outer protective shell includes, in one embodiment, the steps of (1) forming a flexible, expandable bag in a configuration which may be placed around the bottom edge of the inner tank, (2) attaching the flexible bag around the bottom edge of the tank, (3) filling the bag with a foam material which expands to form a collar, (4) positioning the outer shell about inner tank prior to expansion of the foam collar, and (5) subsequently filling the remainder of the space between the tank and the shell with an expandable foam material which is retained, at least in part, by the foam expanded, flexible bag.

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Montgomery, AL, United States of America

Keith R Clark