Laundry system for washing multiple loads of fabric items

• US 10,273,618 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2017
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Doyle, Colleen, Kendall, James, Achterberg, Lorraine L., Viswanathan, Ameresh, Underly, Kristina, Tomasi, Donald, Conrad, Daniel, Sunshine, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Ko, Jason Y
• Application Number:
  US15/726,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20180030633A1
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 29/00 Combinations of a washing machine with other separate apparatus in a common frame or the like, e.g. with rinsing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 29/005 the other separate apparatus being a drying appliance
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/28 Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/04 adapted for rotation or oscillation about a horizontal or inclined axis
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/12 Casings; Tubs
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 81/06 attachable to independent supports, e.g. walls

Abstract

A laundry system performs a washing function to wash multiple load of fabric items. The system can include a first wash chamber for washing a first clothes load, a drawer below the first wash chamber, a tub supported by the drawer, and a wash basket rotatably mounted within the tub and defining a second wash chamber, which has a low capacity relative to a capacity of the first wash chamber. The laundry system is capable of performing a washing operation in the second wash chamber independently of a washing operation performed in the first wash chamber.

Claims

1. A laundry system comprising:

a first wash chamber for washing a first clothes load; and

a washing unit below the first wash chamber for washing a second clothes load, the washing unit comprising;

a drawer capable of forward extension relative to the first wash chamber;

a tub supported by the drawer; and

a wash basket rotatably mounted within the tub and defining a second wash chamber;

wherein the second wash chamber has a low capacity relative to a capacity of the first wash chamber; and

wherein the washing unit is capable of performing a washing operation independently of a washing operation performed in the first wash chamber.

2. The laundry system of claim 1 and further comprising a control panel for the washing unit separate from a control panel for the first wash chamber to enable a user to select a wash cycle from among a plurality of wash cycles, wherein the control panel is capable of:

receiving input from the user regarding operational modes for the washing unit; and

communicating output related to an operational status of the washing unit to the user.

3. The laundry system of claim 1, wherein the drawer is movable relative to the first wash chamber between a closed position, in which the second wash chamber is inaccessible to a user, and an open position, in which the drawer is extended forwardly of the first wash chamber and the second wash chamber is accessible to the user.

4. The laundry system of claim 1, wherein the washing unit is a stand-alone modular unit.

5. The laundry system of claim 4, wherein the stand-alone modular unit does not require physical connection to a laundry appliance for operation.

6. The laundry system of claim 1, wherein the first wash chamber is part of a laundry appliance, and the washing unit is coupled to the laundry appliance as a requirement for operation of the washing unit.

7. The laundry system of claim 1, wherein the washing unit comprises a cabinet, and the drawer is slidably mounted to the cabinet.

8. The laundry system of claim 1 wherein the washing unit comprises a detergent dispenser.

9. The laundry system of claim 1, wherein the washing unit is adapted for gentle washing of fabric items.

10. The laundry system of claim 1, wherein the second wash chamber comprises an upwardly-facing open top.

11. The laundry system of claim 1, wherein the first wash chamber comprises a forwardly-facing opening closed by a door, and the drawer is below the door.

12. The laundry system of claim 1, wherein the washing unit can be controlled remotely.

13. The laundry system of claim 1, and further comprising:

a dryer comprising a first drying chamber; and

a drying unit vertically above or below the first drying chamber and comprising a drawer defining a second drying chamber.

14. A laundry system comprising:

a first wash chamber for washing a first clothes load;

a drawer below the first wash chamber and capable of forward extension relative to the first wash chamber;

a tub supported by the drawer; and

a wash basket rotatably mounted within the tub and defining a second wash chamber;

wherein the second wash chamber has a low capacity relative to a capacity of the first wash chamber; and

wherein the laundry system is capable of performing a washing operation in the second wash chamber independently of a washing operation performed in the first wash chamber.

15. The laundry system of claim 14, wherein the drawer is movable between an open position, in which the second wash chamber is accessible, and a closed position, in which the second wash chamber is inaccessible.

16. The laundry system of claim 14, wherein the drawer is movable relative to the first wash chamber between a closed position, in which the second wash chamber is inaccessible to a user, and an open position, in which the drawer is extended forwardly of the first wash chamber and the second wash chamber is accessible to the user.

17. The laundry system of claim 14 wherein the first wash chamber is part of a laundry appliance, and the laundry appliance comprises the wash basket.

18. The laundry system of claim 14 and further comprising a cabinet, wherein the drawer is slidably mounted to the cabinet.

19. The laundry system of claim 14, wherein:

the first wash chamber comprises a forwardly-facing opening closed by a door; and

the second wash chamber comprises an upwardly-facing open top.

20. The laundry system according to claim 19 and further comprising a control panel above the door.