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Modular laundry system with horizontal module spanning two laundry appliances

a laundry system and laundry appliance technology, applied in the field of modules, can solve the problems of small laundry area, inefficient, inconvenient operation, etc., and achieve the effect of not optimizing the laundry area for performing functions, reducing labor intensity, and reducing labor intensity

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-07-05
WHIRLPOOL CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

A common complaint of homeowners is that the laundry area tends to be an afterthought when the home is designed.
Many feel that the laundry area is small, poorly arranged, and inefficient.
Regardless of size, the laundry area is not optimized for performing functions other than the conventional washing and drying done in the washer and dryer, such as flat drying, hang drying, ironing, hand steaming, spot pre-treatment, stain removal, and the like.
This configuration meets the basic needs of doing laundry but neither provides facilities for performing other functions nor optimizes the process of doing laundry.
With only the washing machine and the dryer, only one clothes load can be run at a time, and if the cycles for the clothes loads are different, i.e., delicate and heavy duty, then the loads must be washed one after another, thereby lengthening the laundry process.
Additionally, some clothes need to be hung or laid flat to dry after washing, but there is usually no dedicated space for these items.
Another example of the deficiencies of household laundry area is the inability to refresh clothes that don't require a complete washing before wearing.
Rather than wear a slightly soiled garment, people tend to put the clothing through a wash cycle in the washer, which can prematurely wear out the garment, or take the item to a dry cleaner, which can be costly.
This process is extremely inconvenient and time consuming, especially if only one garment needs to be touched up.
However, these solutions are not ideal; some are inconvenient to store when not in use, others are not dimensioned to optimize the space of the laundry area, and all are not aesthetically coherent with the laundry appliances.

Method used

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  • Modular laundry system with horizontal module spanning two laundry appliances
  • Modular laundry system with horizontal module spanning two laundry appliances
  • Modular laundry system with horizontal module spanning two laundry appliances

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0152] A modular laundry system according to the invention comprises at least one laundry appliance 10 and at least one module 20. According to one embodiment of the invention, the laundry system comprises two laundry appliances 10 and at least one module 20, which can be selected and configured to provide desired laundry care functionality within a given laundry area. The laundry area is a space of a home in which the laundry appliance 10 conventionally resides. The laundry area can be, for example, a dedicated laundry room, a shared room, such as a combined laundry and utility room or a combined laundry room and garage, a closet, or part of another room or hallway of the home.

[0153] The laundry appliance 10 is a conventional appliance for washing and drying fabric items, such as clothes and linens. Examples of the laundry appliance include, but are not limited to, a washing machine, including top-loading, front-loading, vertical axis, and horizontal axis washing machines, a dryer...

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PUM

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Abstract

A modular laundry system comprises a first laundry appliance and a second laundry appliance horizontally arranged relative to the first laundry appliance. The modular laundry system further comprises a laundry care function horizontal module vertically arranged with the first and second laundry appliances and having an associated laundry care function and a width that at least partially spans at least the first and second laundry appliances.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates to a modular laundry system comprising laundry appliances and modules that can be configured to spatially and functionally optimize a household laundry area. Description of the Related Art [0003] Most homeowners utilize laundry appliances, such as a washer and a dryer, to clean clothing and other fabric items. The laundry appliances are located in a household laundry area that can be a dedicated laundry room, a laundry closet, or part of another room or hallway of the home. A common complaint of homeowners is that the laundry area tends to be an afterthought when the home is designed. Many feel that the laundry area is small, poorly arranged, and inefficient. [0004] Regardless of size, the laundry area is not optimized for performing functions other than the conventional washing and drying done in the washer and dryer, such as flat drying, hang drying, ironing, hand steaming, spot pre-treatment,...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): D06F37/00D06F35/00
CPCA47B46/00F25D23/12A47B77/06A47B77/08B65F1/1436D06F1/02D06F29/00D06F29/005D06F31/00D06F35/00D06F39/00D06F39/022D06F39/12D06F39/125D06F43/08D06F58/10D06F81/00D06F95/00D06F95/002A47B77/02
Inventor SUNSHINE, RICHARD A.
Owner WHIRLPOOL CORP
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