Modular laundry system with work surface having a functional element

Abstract

A modular laundry system comprises at least one laundry appliance and a worksurface provided on the at least one laundry appliance. The worksurface defines a perimeter comprising a front, a back, and opposite sides and can comprise a functional element on the perimeter of the worksurface and configured to provide an associated functionality. The worksurface has an upper surface and can comprise a functional element located below the upper surface and configured to provide an associated functionality.

1 . A modular laundry system comprising: 
 at least one laundry appliance, and    a worksurface provided on the at least one laundry appliance, the worksurface defining a perimeter comprising a front, a back, and opposite sides and comprising a functional element on the perimeter of the worksurface and configured to provide an associated functionality.    
   
   
       2 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein the worksurface comprises a backsplash located at the back of the perimeter, and the functional element is provided in the backsplash.  
   
   
       3 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 2 , wherein the functional element comprises a staging area formed in the backsplash.  
   
   
       4 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 2 , wherein the functional element comprises lighting incorporated into the backsplash.  
   
   
       5 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein the functional element comprises a hanging area.  
   
   
       6 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 5 , wherein the functional element further comprises lighting mounted to the hanging area.  
   
   
       7 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein the functional element comprises a storage area.  
   
   
       8 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 7 , wherein the storage area is located at at least one of the opposite sides of the perimeter.  
   
   
       9 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein the functional element comprises a shelf extendable from the front of the perimeter.  
   
   
       10 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 9 , wherein the shelf is stowable below an upper surface of the worksurface.  
   
   
       11 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 9 , wherein the shelf comprises an ironing board.  
   
   
       12 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 11 , wherein the ironing board is at least one of slidably and pivotally mounted to the worksurface.  
   
   
       13 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein the functional element comprises lighting.  
   
   
       14 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein the functional element comprises a power outlet located at the back of the perimeter.  
   
   
       15 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein the functional element comprises a hanging rod extending from the perimeter.  
   
   
       16 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 15 , wherein the hanging rod is retractably mounted to the worksurface.  
   
   
       17 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein the functional element comprises a docking station for an iron.  
   
   
       18 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein the worksurface further comprises side flanges formed at the opposite sides and defining a space that is comparable to a width of the at least one laundry appliance.  
   
   
       19 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one laundry appliance comprises a backsplash, and the worksurface further comprises an opening at the back of the perimeter that receives the backsplash.  
   
   
       20 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein the worksurface is formed by multiple interconnected pieces.  
   
   
       21 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein the worksurface further comprises a functional insert provided on an upper surface of the worksurface.  
   
   
       22 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 21 , wherein the functional insert comprises a first surface configured for performing a first function and a second surface configured for performing a second function different from the first function.  
   
   
       23 . A modular laundry system comprising: 
 at least one laundry appliance, and    a worksurface provided on the at least one laundry appliance and having an upper surface and a functional element located below the upper surface and configured to provide an associated functionality.    
   
   
       24 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 23 , wherein the functional element comprises a wrinkle removal appliance.  
   
   
       25 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 23 , wherein the functional element comprises a stowable shelf.  
   
   
       26 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 25 , wherein the stowable shelf comprises an ironing board.  
   
   
       27 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 26 , wherein the ironing board is at least one of slidably and pivotally mounted to the worksurface.  
   
   
       28 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 23 , wherein the functional element comprises a hinge that movably couples the worksurface to the laundry appliance for movement between a first use position, where the worksurface overlies the at least one laundry appliance, and a second use position different than the first use position.  
   
   
       29 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 28 , wherein the worksurface is located in front of the at least one laundry appliance in the second use position.  
   
   
       30 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 23 , wherein the functional element comprises a vibration dampener configured to prevent transference of vibration between the at least one laundry appliance and the worksurface.  
   
   
       31 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 30 , wherein the vibration dampener comprises a vibration isolation pad positioned between the worksurface and the at least one laundry appliance.  
   
   
       32 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 31 , wherein the modular laundry system comprises two of the laundry appliances in a side-by-side arrangement, and the vibration isolation pad is positioned between the laundry appliances.  
   
   
       33 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 23 , wherein the worksurface further comprises side flanges formed at the opposite sides and defining a space therebetween that is comparable to a width of the at least one laundry appliance.  
   
   
       34 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 23 , wherein the at least one laundry appliance comprises a backsplash, and the worksurface further comprises an opening at the back of the perimeter that receives the backsplash.  
   
   
       35 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 23 , wherein the worksurface is formed by multiple interconnected pieces.  
   
   
       36 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 23 , wherein the worksurface further comprises a functional insert provided on the upper surface of the worksurface.  
   
   
       37 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 36 , wherein the functional insert comprises a first surface configured for performing a first function and a second surface configured for performing a second function different from the first function.