Modular laundry system with work surface having a functional insert

• US 8,479,542 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2009
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Kendall, James William, Achterberg, Lorraine J., Viswanathan, Ameresh Babu
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): KO, JASON Y
• Application Number:
  US12/495,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20090260403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,469 Days
• Field of Search: 68/3.R
• US Class Current: 68/3.R
• 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 39/12 Casings; Tubs

Abstract

A modular laundry system comprises at least one laundry appliance with a closed top and a worksurface that extends over the closed top of the at least one laundry appliance and comprises a functional insert provided on the worksurface. The modular laundry system can further comprise a second laundry appliance with a closed top, and the work surface can extend over both laundry appliances.

Claims

1. A modular laundry system comprising:

at least one laundry appliance having a housing with a closed top;

a worksurface that extends over the closed top and having a planar upper surface and a recess formed in the planar upper surface; and

a functional insert comprising a planar body removably received within the recess, and having a first surface for performing a first function and a second surface opposite the first surface different than the first surface and for performing a second function, with the first and second surfaces being selected from a group consisting of;

a textured surface suitable for scrubbing;

a heat-resistance surface suitable for ironing; and

a cutting surface suitable for cutting fabric for sewing patterns;

wherein the functional insert is removably received in the recess in one of a first configuration, in which the first surface abuts the upper surface, and a second configuration, in which the second surface abuts the upper surface, thereby providing for selecting the one of the first and second functions by flipping the functional insert between the first and second configurations.

2. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the functional insert is removable from the worksurface.

3. The modular laundry system according to claim 2, wherein the functional insert is dishwasher washable.

4. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the functional insert is flexible.

5. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the functional insert comprises one of a hygienic material and an anti-slip material.

6. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the functional insert is formed by a plurality of individual functional inserts adjacent to one another.

7. The modular laundry system according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of individual functional inserts has a width corresponding to a width of the at least one laundry appliance.

8. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the functional insert comprises a mat mounted to a frame.

9. The modular laundry system according to claim 8, wherein the mat is removably mounted to the frame.

10. The modular laundry system according to claim 8, wherein the mat is reversibly mounted to the frame.

11. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface is formed by multiple interconnected pieces.

12. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface is movably mounted to the at least one laundry appliance between a first use position, where the worksurface overlies the at least one laundry appliance, and a second use position, where the worksurface is positioned in front of the at least one laundry appliance.

13. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface further comprises movement preventers depending downwardly from the worksurface below the planar upper surface and defining a space that is comparable to one of a width and a depth of the at least one laundry appliance.

14. The modular laundry system according to claim 13, wherein the movement preventers comprise flanges formed at opposite sides of the worksurface.

15. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one laundry appliance has a backsplash provided on the closed top, and the worksurface has an opening that receives the backsplash, such that the backsplash extends from the at least one laundry appliance and protrudes through the opening above the planar upper surface of the worksurface.

16. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface further comprises a functional element configured to provide an associated functionality to the worksurface.

17. The modular laundry system according to claim 16, wherein the functional element is selected from a group consisting of a storage area, a staging area, a stowable shelf, a hanging area, a wrinkle removing appliance, and lighting.

18. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 and further comprising at least one additional laundry appliance comprising a housing with a closed top, wherein the worksurface extends over both of the closed tops.

19. The modular laundry system according to claim 18, wherein the worksurface further comprises movement preventers depending downwardly from the worksurface below the planar upper surface and defining a space that is comparable to one of a combined width of both laundry appliances and a depth of the at least one laundry appliance.

20. The modular laundry system according to claim 18, wherein the functional insert has a width corresponding to a combined width of both laundry appliances.

21. A modular laundry system comprising:

at least one laundry appliance having a housing with a closed top;

a worksurface abutting the closed top and having a planar upper surface and movement preventers depending downwardly from the worksurface below the planar upper surface and defining a space therebetween; and

a functional insert having a first surface performing a first function and a second surface opposite the first surface and performing a second function;

wherein the functional insert is moveably mounted to the upper surface in one of a first configuration, in which the first surface abuts the upper surface, and a second configuration, in which the second surface abuts the upper surface, thereby providing for selecting the one of the first and second functions by flipping the functional insert between the first and second configurations; and

wherein the worksurface is mountable to the at least one laundry appliance with the movement preventers wrapping around at least two portions of the closed top and the closed top received within the space such that the worksurface rests on the closed top.

22. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the movement preventers comprise flanges formed at opposite sides of the worksurface.

23. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the movement preventers depend downwardly from opposite lateral sides of the worksurface.

24. The modular laundry system according to claim 21 and further comprising at least one additional laundry appliance comprising a housing with a closed top, wherein the worksurface is mountable to both laundry appliances with the movement preventers abutting the housings and both closed tops received within the space such that the worksurface rests on both closed tops.

25. The modular laundry system according to claim 24, wherein the functional insert has a width corresponding to a combined width of both laundry appliances.

26. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the second function is different from the first function.

27. The modular laundry system according to claim 26, wherein the functional insert is removable from the worksurface.

28. The modular laundry system according to claim 27, wherein the functional insert is dishwasher washable.

29. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the functional insert is flexible.

30. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the functional insert comprises one of a hygienic material and an anti-slip material.

31. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the functional insert is formed by a plurality of individual functional inserts adjacent to one another.

32. The modular laundry system according to claim 31, wherein at least one of the plurality of individual functional inserts has a width corresponding to a width of the at least one laundry appliance.

33. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the functional insert comprises a mat mounted to a frame.

34. The modular laundry system according to claim 33, wherein the mat is removably mounted to the frame.

35. The modular laundry system according to claim 33, wherein the mat is reversibly mounted to the frame.

36. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the worksurface is formed by multiple interconnected pieces.

37. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the worksurface is movably mounted to the at least one laundry appliance between a first use position, where the worksurface overlies the at least one laundry appliance, and a second use position, where the worksurface is positioned in front of the at least one laundry appliance.

38. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the at least one laundry appliance has a backsplash provided on the closed top, and the worksurface has an opening that receives the backsplash, such that the backsplash extends from the at least one laundry appliance and protrudes through the opening above the planar upper surface of the worksurface.

39. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the worksurface further comprises a functional element configured to provide an associated functionality to the worksurface.

40. The modular laundry system according to claim 39, wherein the functional element is selected from a group consisting of a storage area, a staging area, a stowable shelf, a hanging area, a wrinkle removing appliance, and lighting.

41. A modular laundry system comprising:

a first laundry appliance having a housing with a closed top;

a second laundry appliance having a housing with a closed top, and horizontally arranged in an adjacent relationship with the first laundry appliance to form a gap between the closed tops such that the closed tops collectively define a discontinuous upper surface; and

a single-piece worksurface mountable to the first and second laundry appliances to rest on the closed tops and span the gap to form a continuous surface above the discontinuous upper surface and comprising;

a planar surface bounded by a perimeter having a front, a back, and opposite sides to define a recess;

a backsplash located at the back of the perimeter and integrally formed with the planar surface; and

at least one of a storage area and a staging area integrally formed in one of the planar surface and the backsplash; and

an insert received within the recess of the planar surface.

42. The modular laundry system according to claim 41, wherein the insert comprises a mat having a planar body.

43. The modular laundry system according to claim 41, wherein the insert is removable from the worksurface.

44. The modular laundry system according to claim 43, wherein the insert is dishwasher washable.

45. The modular laundry system according to claim 41, wherein the insert is a functional insert having a first surface performing a first function and a second surface opposite the first surface and performing a second function.

46. The modular laundry system according to claim 45, wherein the second function is different from the first function.

47. The modular laundry system according to claim 41, wherein the insert is flexible.

48. The modular laundry system according to claim 41, wherein the insert comprises one of a hygienic material and an anti-slip material.

49. The modular laundry system according to claim 41, wherein the insert is formed by a plurality of individual inserts adjacent to one another.

50. The modular laundry system according to claim 49, wherein at least one of the plurality of individual inserts has a width corresponding to a width of one of the first and second laundry appliances.

51. The modular laundry system according to claim 41, wherein the worksurface is formed by multiple interconnected pieces.

52. The modular laundry system according to claim 41, wherein the worksurface further comprises movement preventers defining a space that is comparable to one of a width and a depth of the at least one laundry appliance.

53. The modular laundry system according to claim 52, wherein the movement preventers comprise flanges formed at opposite sides of the worksurface.

54. The modular laundry system according to claim 41, wherein the worksurface further comprises a functional element configured to provide an associated functionality to the worksurface.

55. The modular laundry system according to claim 54, wherein the functional element is selected from a group consisting of a storage area, a staging area, a stowable shelf, a hanging area, a wrinkle removing appliance, and lighting.

56. The modular laundry system according to claim 41, wherein the insert has a width corresponding to a combined width of the first and second laundry appliances.