Laundry module for modular laundry system

Abstract

A modular laundry system comprises a laundry appliance and at least one unit horizontally arranged with the laundry appliance and selected from a group comprising a second laundry appliance, a vertical module, and a cabinet module. A laundry module for use with the modular laundry system comprises a housing defining an interior space and having a width greater than a width of a laundry appliance and a functional element disposed within the interior space and having an associated function other than storage.

1 . A laundry module for use with a modular laundry system comprising a laundry appliance and at least one unit horizontally arranged with the laundry appliance and selected from a group comprising a second laundry appliance, a vertical module, and a cabinet module, the laundry module comprising: 
 a housing defining an interior space and having a width greater than a width of the laundry appliance; and    a functional element disposed within the interior space and having an associated function other than storage.    
   
   
       2 . The laundry module according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a width substantially equal to a combined width of the laundry appliance and the at least one unit.  
   
   
       3 . The laundry module according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is configured to be disposed at least one of above and below the laundry appliance and the at least one unit when the laundry module is vertically arranged with the laundry appliance and the at least one unit.  
   
   
       4 . The laundry module according to  claim 1 , wherein the associated function of the functional element comprises a laundry care function.  
   
   
       5 . The laundry module according to  claim 4 , wherein the laundry care function is selected from a group comprising washing, drying, refreshing, sanitizing, stain removal, ironing, hand steaming, and sink.  
   
   
       6 . The laundry module according to  claim 4 , wherein the laundry care function is drying, and the functional element comprises a drawer slidably mounted to the housing for movement relative to the interior space and configured to support an item to be dried.  
   
   
       7 . The laundry module according to  claim 6 , wherein the drawer comprises a drying rack to support the item to be dried.  
   
   
       8 . The laundry module according to  claim 6 , wherein the interior space defines a drying chamber.  
   
   
       9 . The laundry module according to  claim 6 , wherein the drawer defines a drying chamber.  
   
   
       10 . The laundry module according to  claim 1 , wherein the associated function of the functional element comprises a non-laundry care function other than storage.  
   
   
       11 . The laundry module according to  claim 10 , wherein the non-laundry care function is selected from a group comprising garbage and recycling collection, shelving, laundry sorting, bulk dispensing, resource management, resource supply, resource recovery/reclamation, resource treatment, lighting, refrigeration, entertainment, pet care, data collection, data communication, home automation, home security, home safety, power outlet, and power supply.  
   
   
       12 . The laundry module according to  claim 1 , wherein the functional element comprises a drawer slidably mounted to the housing for movement relative to the interior space.  
   
   
       13 . The laundry module according to  claim 1 , wherein the laundry module is a double width horizontal module, and the housing has a width substantially equal to a combined width of the laundry appliance and one of the second laundry appliance and the cabinet module.  
   
   
       14 . The laundry module according to  claim 1 , wherein the laundry module is a greater than double width horizontal module, and the housing has a width greater than a combined width of the laundry appliance and one of the second laundry appliance and the cabinet module.  
   
   
       15 . The laundry module according to  claim 1 , wherein the laundry module is an intermediate width horizontal module, and the housing has a width substantially equal to a combined width of the laundry appliance and the vertical module.  
   
   
       16 . The laundry module according to  claim 1 , wherein the width of the housing is at least equal to a combined width of the laundry appliance and two of the units.  
   
   
       17 . The laundry module according to  claim 1 , wherein the modular laundry system further comprises a work surface configured to extend across the laundry module.  
   
   
       18 . The laundry module according to  claim 17 , wherein the work surface is configured to be removably mounted to the laundry module.  
   
   
       19 . The laundry module according to  claim 17 , wherein the work surface comprises opposing sides with each side configured for performing an associated function.  
   
   
       20 . The laundry module according to  claim 17 , wherein the work surface comprises a non-skid surface.  
   
   
       21 . The laundry module according to  claim 17 , wherein the work surface comprises an ironing surface.  
   
   
       22 . The laundry module according to  claim 17 , wherein the work surface comprises a hygienic material.  
   
   
       23 . The laundry module according to  claim 17 , where in the work surface comprises a hanging bar.  
   
   
       24 . The laundry module according to  claim 1 , wherein the laundry appliance has a height that defines a standard height, and the laundry module has a height less than the standard height.