Patent ID: 7621238

Claim:
An article configured to distribute foam insulation between a water tank and an outer shell of a water heater, said article comprising: a body portion having a top end, a bottom end opposite the top end and two sides extending between the top end and the bottom end, said body portion configured to extend between the water tank and the outer shell of the water heater, said body portion at least partially defining a flow passage for foam insulation; opposed flap portions extending from the top end of said body portion; means for attaching at least one of said flap portions to the water tank; a trough defined at the bottom end of the body portion for collecting foam insulation, said trough being defined by a closed bottom side at the bottom end of the body portion and closed lower sides, each closed lower side extending from the closed bottom side and along at least a portion of a respective side of the body portion; at least one closed top side portion of said body portion extending along a portion of a respective side of the body portion and defined at an elevation above a respective closed lower side; and at least one outlet opening extending along a portion of said respective side of the body portion and defined at an elevation between the at least one closed to side portion of said body portion and said respective closed lower side of said respective side of the body portion, wherein, in use, foam is distributed through said outlet opening and into a region defined between the water tank and the outer shell of the water heater.