# US 10,309,047 B2 · Laundry system for washing multiple loads of fabric items > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,047 B2 - Document ID: US10309047B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/726,902 - Filed: 2017-10-06 - Published: 2018-02-01 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2004-10-22 - Assignees: Whirlpool Corporation - Applicants: Whirlpool Corporation - Inventors: Colleen Doyle; James Kendall; Lorraine L. Achterberg; Ameresh Viswanathan; Kristina Underly; Donald Tomasi; Daniel Conrad; Richard Sunshine - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309047B2 ## CPC - D06F 39/12: Casings; Tubs - D06F 29/00: Combinations of a washing machine with other separate apparatus in a common frame or the like, e.g. with rinsing apparatus - D06F 29/005: {the other separate apparatus being a drying appliance} - D06F 37/04: adapted for rotation or oscillation about a horizontal or inclined axis - D06F 34/28: Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating programme parameters, e.g. the selected programme or its progress - D06F 39/02: Devices for adding soap or other washing agents - D06F 81/06: attachable to independent supports, e.g. walls - D06F: LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES ## 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 tub, 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 ### Claim 1 A laundry system comprising: a first wash chamber for washing a first clothes load; and a washing unit vertically above or below the first wash chamber for washing a second clothes load, the washing unit comprising: a tub; 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The laundry system of claim 1 and further comprising at least one control panel to enable a user to select a wash cycle from among a plurality of wash cycles for the washing unit and a wash cycle from among a plurality of wash cycles for the first wash chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The laundry system of claim 1, wherein the washing unit is a stand-alone unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The laundry system of claim 1, wherein the washing unit is a stand-alone modular unit that does not require physical connection to a laundry appliance for operation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The laundry system of claim 1, wherein the washing unit comprises a detergent dispenser. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The laundry system of claim 1, wherein the washing unit is adapted for gentle washing of fabric items. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The laundry system of claim 1, wherein the second wash chamber comprises an upwardly-facing open top. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The laundry system of claim 1, 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The laundry system according to claim 9 and further comprising a control panel above the door. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The laundry system of claim 1, wherein the washing unit can be controlled remotely. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 13 A laundry system comprising: a first wash chamber for washing a first clothes load and comprising a forwardly-facing opening; a tub; and a wash basket rotatably mounted within the tub and defining a second wash chamber for washing a second clothes load, wherein the second wash chamber comprises an upwardly-facing open top; 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The laundry system of claim 13, wherein the second wash chamber is vertically above or below the first wash chamber. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The laundry system of claim 13 and further comprising at least one control panel to enable a user to select a wash cycle from among a plurality of wash cycles. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The laundry system of claim 13, wherein the first wash chamber is part of a laundry appliance, and the laundry appliance comprises the wash basket. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The laundry system of claim 13 and further comprising a detergent dispenser located adjacent to the tub. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The laundry system of claim 13, wherein the laundry system is capable of performing a washing operation adapted for gentle washing of fabric items in the second wash chamber. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The laundry system of claim 13, wherein the forwardly-facing opening of the first wash chamber is closed by a door. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The laundry system according to claim 19 and further comprising a control panel above the door.