IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,255,040
Granted Patent B2
US 11,255,040 · App. 16/849,608 · Granted Feb 22, 2022

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
D06F39/12A47B46/005A47B88/40A47B88/42A47B88/919D06F29/00D06F29/005D06F29/02D06F37/04D06F81/06A47B2210/17D06F34/28D06F39/02D06F39/125
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,255,040
App. No.
16/849,608
Granted
Feb 22, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A modular laundry system includes a laundry appliance defining a width and a height. A module is below the laundry appliance. The module has a cabinet with an open face. A tub is provided within the cabinet. A washing or drying chamber is provided within the tub for receiving fabric items to be washed or dried.

Claims (29)

1. A laundry system comprising:

a laundry appliance defining a width and a height; and

a module below the laundry appliance and having a cabinet with an open face, a tub within the cabinet, and a washing or drying chamber within the tub for receiving fabric items to be washed or dried;

wherein the module has a height less than the height of the laundry appliance.

2. The laundry system of claim 1 wherein the module further comprises a drawer and the tub is provided within the drawer.

3. The laundry system of claim 2 wherein the drawer is slidably mounted to the cabinet for movement between an opened and closed position relative to the open face.

4. The laundry system of claim 1 wherein the module further comprises a control panel for selection of a washing or drying cycle.

5. The laundry system of claim 1 wherein the laundry appliance is supported in an elevated position on the module.

6. The laundry system of claim 1 wherein the laundry appliance is supported in an elevated position on the cabinet.

7. The laundry system of claim 1 wherein the module has a width approximately equal to the width of the laundry appliance.

8. The laundry system of claim 1 wherein the tub comprises an imperforate tub.

9. A laundry system comprising:

a laundry appliance defining a width and a height; and

a module below the laundry appliance and having a drawer, a tub within the drawer, and a washing or drying chamber within the tub for receiving fabric items to be washed or dried;

wherein the module has a height less than the height of the laundry appliance.

10. The laundry system of claim 9 wherein the module further comprises a cabinet with an open face.

11. The laundry system of claim 10 wherein the drawer is slidably mounted to the cabinet for movement between an opened and closed position relative to the open face.

12. The laundry system of claim 10 wherein the laundry appliance is supported in an elevated position on the cabinet.

13. The laundry system of claim 9 wherein the laundry appliance is supported in an elevated position on the module.

14. The laundry system of claim 9 wherein the module further comprises a control panel for selection of a washing or drying cycle.

15. The laundry system of claim 9 wherein the module has a width approximately equal to the width of the laundry appliance.

16. A horizontal laundry module supporting a laundry appliance in an elevated position, the horizontal laundry module comprising:

a cabinet capable of supporting the laundry appliance thereupon and having an open face, the cabinet having a width and a height with the height being less than the width and less than a standard laundry appliance height;

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

a washing or drying chamber provided within the drawer.

17. The horizontal laundry module of claim 16 further comprising an imperforate tub provided within the drawer with the washing or drying chamber provided within the imperforate tub.

18. The horizontal laundry module of claim 16 further comprising a control panel for selection of a washing or drying cycle.

19. The horizontal laundry module of claim 16 wherein the width of the cabinet is approximately equal to a standard laundry appliance width.

20. The horizontal laundry module of claim 16 wherein the height of the cabinet is less than a height of the laundry appliance and the width of the cabinet is approximately equal to a width of the laundry appliance.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 16, 2020
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 052411/0501 →
Continuity (14)
Continuation 16244428 · Jan 10, 2019
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, 2009
Continuation 11322740 · Dec 30, 2005
Continuation 11323125 · Dec 30, 2005
Continuation In Part 10971671 · Oct 22, 2004
Continuation 11323221 · Dec 30, 2005
Continuation In Part 10971671 · Oct 22, 2004
Related Publication 20200240065A1 · Jul 30, 2020