IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,640,904
Granted Patent B2
US 10,640,904 · App. 16/244,428 · Granted May 5, 2020

Modular laundry system

Inventors: Kristina K. Underly (Berrien Springs, MI); Donald M. Tomasi (Stevensville, MI); Daniel C. Conrad (Newburgh, IN); Richard A. Sunshine (Granger, IN); James W. Kendall (Mt. Prospect, IL); Ameresh B. Viswanathan (Saint Joseph, MI); Lorraine L. Achterberg (Saint Joseph, MI); Colleen M. Doyle (Ann Arbor, MI)
Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
D06F29/005A47B46/005A47B88/40A47B88/42A47B88/919D06F29/00D06F29/02D06F37/04D06F39/005D06F39/02D06F39/12D06F39/125D06F58/02D06F81/06A47B2210/17
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,640,904
App. No.
16/244,428
Granted
May 5, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A modular laundry system includes a washing machine defining a single width and a single width horizontal module below the washing machine. The single width horizontal module below the washing machine includes a cabinet capable of supporting the washing machine thereupon and having an open face. A drawer is slidably mounted to the cabinet for movement between an opened and closed position relative to the open face. A tub is provided within the drawer, and a wash chamber is provided within the tub.

Claims (37)

1. A modular laundry system comprising:

a washing machine defining a single width; and

a single width horizontal module below the washing machine and comprising:

a cabinet capable of supporting the washing machine thereupon and having an open face;

a drawer slidably mounted to the cabinet for movement between an opened and closed position relative to the open face;

a tub provided within the drawer; and

a wash chamber provided within the tub;

wherein the height of the cabinet is less than the height of the washing machine.

2. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the horizontal module comprises a control panel for the selection of a wash cycle.

3. The modular laundry system according to claim 2 wherein the control panel is mounted on the drawer.

4. The modular laundry system according to claim 3 wherein the washing machine comprises a horizontal axis washing machine with a control panel on a front of the washing machine.

5. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the height of the horizontal module is less than half the height of the washing machine.

6. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the horizontal module comprises a wash basket supported by the drawer and defining the wash chamber.

7. The modular laundry system according to claim 6 wherein the wash basket is rotatably mounted within the tub.

8. The modular laundry system according to claim 6 wherein the horizontal module comprises a detergent dispenser supported by the drawer.

9. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the wash chamber is inaccessible in the closed position and accessible in the opened position.

10. The modular laundry system according to claim 9 wherein the drawer comprises an open top.

11. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the horizontal module comprises a detergent dispenser.

12. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the horizontal module has a depth approximately equal to the depth of the washing machine.

13. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the height of the horizontal module is less than the single width.

14. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the washing machine is a horizontal axis washing machine.

15. The modular laundry system according to claim 14 wherein the tub defines an upwardly-facing open top.

16. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the washing machine comprises a control panel.

17. The modular laundry system according to claim 16 wherein the control panel of the washing machine is on a front of the washing machine and the control panel of the horizontal module is on a front of the horizontal module.

18. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 and further comprising a work surface extending across an upper surface of the washing machine.

19. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the horizontal module is a stand-alone unit that does not require physical connection to the washing machine for operation.

20. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the horizontal module is coupled to the washing machine as a requirement for operation of the horizontal module.

21. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the horizontal module is coupled to the washing machine to support operation of the washing machine.

22. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the horizontal module has a lower capacity for fabric items than the washing machine.

23. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the horizontal module comprises a delicate wash cycle.

24. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the washing machine and the horizontal module have matching designs for an aesthetically coherent appearance.

25. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the tub comprises an imperforate tub.

26. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 , wherein the horizontal module can be controlled remotely.

27. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 and further comprising:

a front-loading dryer; and

a second single-width horizontal module below the front-loading dryer and having a drying chamber for receiving fabric items to be dried.

28. The modular laundry system according to claim 27 , wherein the washing machine comprises a front-loading washing machine.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 11, 2019
From: UNDERLY, KRISTINA K.; TOMASI, DONALD M.; CONRAD, DANIEL C.; SUNSHINE, RICHARD A.; KENDALL, JAMES W.; VISWANATHAN, AMERESH B.; ACHTERBERG, LORRAINE L.; DOYLE, COLLEEN M.
To: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 047962/0138 →
Continuity (13)
Continuation 15444865 · Feb 28, 2017
Continuation 14725376 · May 29, 2015
Continuation 12497034 · Jul 2, 2009
Continuation 11323220 · Dec 30, 2005
Continuation In Part 11323221 · Dec 30, 2005
Continuation In Part 10971671 · Oct 22, 2004
Continuation 12489710 · Jun 23, 2005
Continuation 11322740 · Dec 30, 2005
Continuation 11323125 · Dec 30, 2005
Continuation 10971671 · Oct 22, 2004
Continuation 11323221 · Dec 30, 2005
Continuation In Part 10971671 · Oct 22, 2004
Related Publication 20190145039A1 · May 16, 2019