Modular laundry system with horizontal and vertical modules

Abstract

A modular laundry system comprises first and second laundry appliances in a horizontal arrangement, a single width horizontal module vertically arranged with one of the first and second laundry appliances, and a vertical module horizontally arranged relative to the first and second laundry appliances.

1 . A modular laundry system comprising: 
 first and second laundry appliances in a horizontal arrangement;    a single width horizontal module vertically arranged with one of the first and second laundry appliances; and    a vertical module horizontally arranged relative to the first and second laundry appliances.    
   
   
       2 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein a height of the vertical module is substantially the same as a combined height of the single width horizontal module vertically arranged with the one of the first and second laundry appliances.  
   
   
       3 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 2  and further comprising an additional single width horizontal module vertically arranged with the laundry appliance that is not vertically arranged with the single width horizontal module.  
   
   
       4 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein a height of the vertical module is substantially the same as a height of the laundry appliance that is not vertically arranged with the single width horizontal module.  
   
   
       5 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 4  and further comprising an intermediate width horizontal module vertically arranged with the vertical module and with the laundry appliance that is not vertically arranged with the single width horizontal module.  
   
   
       6 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertical module is located between the first and second laundry appliances.  
   
   
       7 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second laundry appliances has a width that defines a standard width, and a width of the vertical module is less than the standard width.  
   
   
       8 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 7 , wherein a width of the single width horizontal module is about equal to the standard width.  
   
   
       9 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the single width horizontal module and the vertical module comprises a functional element having an associated at least one of a laundry care function and a non-laundry care function.  
   
   
       10 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 9 , wherein the laundry care function is selected from a group comprising washing, drying, refreshing, sanitizing, stain removal, ironing, hand steaming, and sink.  
   
   
       11 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 9 , wherein the non-laundry care function is selected from a group comprising storage, 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 modular laundry system according to  claim 1  and further comprising a work surface extending across at least one of the vertical module, the first laundry appliance, the second laundry appliance, and the single width horizontal module.  
   
   
       13 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 12 , wherein the work surface is removably mounted to the at least one of the vertical module, the first laundry appliance, the second laundry appliance, and the single width horizontal module.  
   
   
       14 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 12 , wherein the work surface comprises opposing sides with each side configured for performing an associated function.  
   
   
       15 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 12 , wherein the work surface comprises a non-skid surface.  
   
   
       16 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 12 , wherein the work surface comprises an ironing surface.  
   
   
       17 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 12 , wherein the work surface comprises a hygienic material.  
   
   
       18 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 12 , where in the work surface comprises a hanging bar.  
   
   
       19 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 12 , wherein the work surface spans an interface between the vertical module and one of the first and second laundry appliances.  
   
   
       20 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 12 , wherein the work surface comprises multiple interconnectable segments.  
   
   
       21 . A modular laundry system comprising: 
 a washing machine;    a dryer;    a single width horizontal module configured to be mounted above or below either of the washing machine and dryer; and    a vertical module configured to be horizontally arranged relative to the washing machine and dryer.    
   
   
       22 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 21 , wherein a height of the vertical module is substantially the same as a combined height of the single width horizontal module and one of the washing machine and the dryer.  
   
   
       23 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 22  and further comprising an additional single width horizontal module configured to be mounted above or below at least one of the washing machine and dryer.  
   
   
       24 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 21 , wherein a height of the vertical module is substantially the same as a height of at least one of the washing machine and dryer  
   
   
       25 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 24  and further comprising an intermediate width horizontal module configured to be mounted above or below the vertical module and one of the washing machine and the dryer.  
   
   
       26 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the washing machine and the dryer has a width that defines a standard width, and a width of the vertical module is less than the standard width.  
   
   
       27 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 26 , wherein a width of the single width horizontal module is about equal to the standard width.  
   
   
       28 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the single width horizontal module and the vertical module comprises a functional element having an associated at least one of a laundry care function and a non-laundry care function.  
   
   
       29 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 28 , wherein the laundry care function is selected from a group comprising washing, drying, refreshing, sanitizing, stain removal, ironing, hand steaming, and sink.  
   
   
       30 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 28 , wherein the non-laundry care function is selected from a group comprising storage, 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.  
   
   
       31 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 21  and further comprising a work surface configured to extend across at least one of the vertical module, the washing machine, the dryer, and the single width horizontal module.  
   
   
       32 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 31 , wherein the work surface is configured to be removably mounted to the at least one of the vertical module, the washing machine, the dryer, and the single width horizontal module.  
   
   
       33 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 31 , wherein the work surface comprises opposing sides with each side configured for performing an associated function.  
   
   
       34 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 31 , wherein the work surface comprises a non-skid surface.  
   
   
       35 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 31 , wherein the work surface comprises an ironing surface.  
   
   
       36 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 31 , wherein the work surface comprises a hygienic material.  
   
   
       37 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 31 , where in the work surface comprises a hanging bar.  
   
   
       38 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 31 , wherein the work surface is configured to span an interface between the vertical module and one of the washing machine and the dryer.  
   
   
       39 . The modular laundry system according to  claim 31 , wherein the work surface comprises multiple interconnectable segments.