SE543830C2 - Modular kitchen unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention concerns a modular kitchen unit (1) comprising a sink, a countertop (10), a first end support (11), a second end support (12) and a back support (20). The countertop (10) being supported by the back support and the end supports. The countertop (10) comprises a first end, a second end, a third end and a fourth end. The first and second countertop ends define the longitudinal ends of the countertop. The third countertop end defines a front of the countertop. The fourth countertop end defines the back of the countertop. The countertop is configured to extend in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the extension planes of both the back support (20) and the end supports (11, 12). The invention also concerns one or more modules (100) being configured for detachable assembly in the modular kitchen unit (1).

Description

MODULAR KITCHEN TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a kitchen unit in modular form and one or more modules for storage or the like being detachably assembled in and onto the kitchen unit.

The modular kitchen unit according to the invention is configured for being adaptable to anydesire and/or need of a user of the kitchen unit in regard of applicability and arrangement of its modules.

BACKGROUND ART Within the kitchen area there are many examples of different kind of kitchen units having a varying type of structure and modularity.

One example of such a modular kitchen unit is disclosed in DE 3 106 310. This kitchen unit hasa plurality of supporting elements allowing the modular kitchen unit to be spaced from a wall.

The supporting elements comprise pins onto which kitchen modular elements are hooked.

Disadvantages of known modular kitchen units, among others, are that they are difficult tohandle and require cumbersome ways of assembly and disassembly as they often are complexin structure as being made up of many cooperating parts, and they are often not able toaccomplish a user friendly flexibility if a user wants to rearrange any module of the finally assembled kitchen unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of the invention is to provide a kitchen unit in modular form, which solves or at least reduces one or more of above problems.

Another object is to provide a modular kitchen unit that defines a base/enclosure/framewithin which separately detachable modules is optionally/freely interchangeable independently of the size, shape and/or depth of each separate module.

One or more of the above objects are achieved by means of a modular kitchen unit and/or oneor more separate modules being configured for detachable installation/attachment within themodular kitchen unit as a sub-assembly, as claimed in the associated independent claims, preferred variants thereof being defined in associated dependent claims. 2 According to the invention at least one of the objects are achieved by a modular kitchen unitcomprising a sink, a countertop, a first end support, a second end support, and a back support,the countertop being supported by an upper end of the back support and the end supports ofwhich the first end support is adapted for supporting a first end of the countertop and thesecond end support is adapted for supporting a second end of the countertop, the countertopcomprising the first end, the second end, a third end and a fourth end, which first and secondcountertop ends define the longitudinal ends of the countertop and the third countertop enddefines a front of the countertop and the fourth countertop end defines the back of thecountertop, wherein the countertop is configured for extending in a horizontal planeperpendicular to the extension planes of both the back support and the end supports,characterized in that the back support comprises fasteners laid out/arrangedalong/across/over the whole surface of the back support, and that the back support isarranged to support the countertop along at least a middle section of its length between thefirst and second countertop ends from below at a distance from the fourth countertop endmeasured in a direction in parallel with the countertop extension from the fourth countertopend towards the third countertop end. Along/across/over the whole surface of the backsupport means extending/being distributed along and/or across and/or over the wholesurface of the back support. ln one aspect, in the modular kitchen unit according to above, thefasteners are laid out/arranged in a symmetrical pattern along/across/over the whole surface of the back support.

Further objects and features of the present invention will appear from the following definitions of aspects of the invention.

According to an aspect, in the modular kitchen unit according to above and/or any or one ormore of below aspects, the back support is arranged between the third countertop end andthe fourth countertop end at a distance being closer to the fourth countertop end than the third countertop end.

According to another aspect, in the modular kitchen unit according to above and/or any orone or more of below aspects, the distance is less than half the depth of the countertop. ln yetan aspect, in the modular kitchen unit according to any of above and/or any or one or more ofbelow aspects, the distance is less than half the depth of the countertop but larger than 50 mm. 3According to an additional aspect, in the modular kitchen unit according to any of aboveand/or any or one or more of below aspects, the back support is adapted for extendingperpendicularly to the countertop and between its two end supports with its upper end in parallel with and in engagement with the countertop to support the countertop from below.

According to still an aspect, in the modular kitchen unit according to any of the above and/orany or one or more of the below aspects, the back support comprises the upper end, a lowerend in parallel with its upper end, a third and a fourth end extending perpendicularly betweenthe upper end and the lower end, which third and fourth ends each is suspended at one of the first or second end supports of the countertop.

According to one more aspect, the modular kitchen unit according to any of above and/or anyor one or more of below aspects comprises a bottom support arranged in parallel with andbelow the countertop with the back support extending perpendicularly there between, whichbottom support is adapted for supporting both the countertop and the back support from below.

According to yet an aspect, in the modular kitchen unit according to any of above or any or one or more of below aspects, the distance is between 50 and 300 mm.

According to one other aspect, the mod ular kitchen unit according to any of above and/or anyor one or more of below aspects comprises one or more detachable modules with at least oneback plate comprising fastening devices configured for being detachably attached to the backsupport by means of each fastening device being arranged/laid out in a symmetrical matrixover the back plate, which symmetrical matrix is configured for being in alignment with thesymmetrical pattern of the back support to enable each fastening device of each module to be detachably fitted/mated with an associated fastener of the back support.

According to a further aspect, in the modular kitchen unit according to any of above and/orany or one or more of below aspects, the fasteners of the back support are screw-in sleeves securely screwed into holes of the back support.

According to an aspect, in the modular kitchen unit according to any of above and/or any orone or more of below aspects, the fastening devices of the back plate are screws adapted forextending through holes in the back plate to reach and detachably mate with screw-in sleeves of the back support. 4According to another aspect, in the modular kitchen unit according to any of above and/or anyor one or more of below aspects, the symmetrical pattern along/across/over the whole sur-face of the back support is a grid with fasteners arranged symmetrically and equidistant toeach other. Along/across/over the whole surface of the back support means extending/being distributed along and/or across and/or over the whole surface of the back support.

According to one other aspect, in the modular kitchen unit according to any of above and/orany or one or more of below aspects, the symmetrical pattern along/across/over the wholesurface of the back support is a grid with a plurality of groups of four fasteners arranged symmetrically and equidistant to each other.

According to the invention at least one of the objects are achieved by a box-shaped moduleadapted for being detachably attached to the back support of the modular kitchen unitaccording to any preceding and/or any or one or more of below aspects, the box-shapedmodule comprising at least a back plate and being adapted for optionally holding/supportingkitchen appliances and/or kltchenware, such as cutlery, plates, glasses, machines etc.,characterized in that the box-shaped module comprises fastening devices on its back plate,wherein the fastening devices are configured for being detachably mated/fitted with fasteners of the back support.

According to one aspect, in the box-shaped module according to any of above and/or any orone or more of below aspects, the fastening devices of the back plate of each box-shapedmodule is arranged to extend through corresponding holes in a symmetrical matrix over theback plate, which symmetrical matrix is configured for corresponding to/being in alignmentwith a symmetrical pattern along/across/over the whole surface of the back support in whichsymmetrical pattern the fasteners of the back support are arranged to enable each fasteningdevice of each box-shaped module to be detachably fitted/mated with an associated fastener of the back support.

According to one more aspect, in the box-shaped module according to any of above and/orany or one or more of below aspects, the fastening devices of the back plate of each box-shaped module are arranged for extending through corresponding holes in a symmetricalmatrix over the back plate, which symmetrical matrix is configured for corresponding to/beingin alignment with a symmetrical pattern along/across/over the whole surface of the back support in which symmetrical pattern the fasteners of the back support are arranged to enable each fastening device of each box-shaped module to be detachably fitted/mated withan associated fastener of the back support, wherein each back plate has its holes arranged in apattern corresponding to the fastener pattern of the back support, which holes of each box-shaped module is laid out/distributed at a distance relative all the other holes being an integermultiply of the corresponding distance by which the fasteners of the back support are laid out/distributed.

One advantage of such a modular kitchen unit and/or one or more separate box-shapedmodules is that it defines a base/enclosure/frame within which separate box-shaped modulesis optionally/freely interchangeable between different positions and/or layouts individuallyand/or in pairs and/or in a plurality/in a multiplicity in that the modular kitchen unit and eachseparate box-shaped module is configured in a mating way such that each separate box-shaped module is easily assembled one by one and/or in pairs and/or in plural in any positionwithin the kitchen unit without having to disassemble any other adjacent and/or structural component making up or maintaining the integrity of the kitchen unit.

Another advantage of such a modular kitchen unit and/or one or more separate box-shapedmodules above and below is that it defines a base/enclosure/frame within which each box-shaped module is separately and optionally/freely detachable and interchangeable and easilyassembled one by one and/or in pairs and/or in plural in a first position/layout of the kitchenunit and easily disassembled one by one and/or in pairs and/or in plural from the firstposition/layout of the kitchen unit and moved/rearranged one by one and/or in pairs and/orin plural into a second position/layout and/or more positions/layouts of the kitchen unit without needing the specific skills of a technician/fitter.

Yet another advantage of such a modular kitchen unit and/or one or more separate box-shaped modules above and below is that a space or gap or zone or area is created at its back,which space/gap/zone/area is adapted for receiving and enabling installing pipes, conduits,such as electrical conduits, pipes for washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, dischargepipes from sinks, water pipes, stove pipes, gas pipes or the like. This space also has theadvantage of preventing too high temperatures caused by electrical appliances, such as ovens, dishwashers etc. due to an improved ventilation of air.

A further advantage of a modular kitchen unit and/or one or more separate box-shaped modules above and below is to provide a space or gap or zone or area at its back, which 6space/gap/zone/area facilitates air circulation inside the modular kitchen unit, thereby preventing formation of moisture and enclosure of it, the same goes for mould and odours.

Further objects and features of the present invention will appear from the following definitions of aspects/examples thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed figures, which show examples of presently preferred embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a plane front view of a modular kitchen unit according to an embodiment of theinvention without any separate box-shaped modules according to the invention attachedwithin it.

Figs. 2A and 2B are plane side views of the modular kitchen unit as seen from right to left in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plane view from above of the modular kitchen unit of fig. 1 showing one of its parts in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 shows plane sectional views of one embodiment of the modular kitchen unit of figs. 1 to3 along line A-A in fig. 3, the left view shows two separate box-shaped modules before orduring detachable assembly in the kitchen unit in the middle view and the right view showsthese separate box-shaped modules of different sizes/shapes after assembly, i.e. one moduleat one position and the other separate module of another size/shape at another position after detachable assembly in the kitchen unit.

Fig. 5 shows plane sectional views of another embodiment of the modular kitchen unit of figs.1 to 3 along line A-A in fig. 3, the left view shows one separate box-shaped module before orduring detachable assembly in the kitchen unit in the middle view and the right view showsthe separate module of one size/shape at a third/middle/centre position after detachable assembly in the kitchen unit.

Figs. 6A to 6D show the modular kitchen unit with between four to twelve separate box-shaped modules detachably assembled in fourteen different views of embodimentscorresponding to different configurations or patterns or layouts of the separate modules and with such modules in varying sizes but all in square/box-shape, i.e. quadratic and/or 7rectangular shapes and/or with differing widths, lengths and depths according to the invention.

Fig. 7 shows sub-parts of the modular kitchen unit and the separate box-shaped modules offigs. 1 to 6D in an exploded view disclosing the way of detachably fastening one or more box- shaped modules as sub-assemblies to a holding part of the modular kitchen unit.

Figs. 8A to 8D show embodiments of a separate module of figs. 1 to 7 in perspective views infigs. 8A and 8B, in three plane/side views in fig. 8D (the left view is from the back, the middleview from the front and the right view is from one side of the box-shaped module with its front facing to the left and its back to the right) and fig. 8C is a top view of the module, i.e. as seen from above in the perspective view of figs. 8A, 8B and in figs. 4, 5, and 6.

Figs. 9A and 9B shows two views, each view with six differently sized versions/embodiments of a separate module according to figs. 1 to 6D and 8A to 8D.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A modular kitchen unit 1 comprising one or more separately and detachable box-shapedmodules 100 is shown in Figures 1 to 9B as embodiments according to the invention. Themodular kitchen unit 1 comprises at least a tap or faucet 2, a sink 3 and a mixer tap/faucet 4as shown in figs. 1 to 5. The modular kitchen unit 1 is adapted for being placed adjacent oragainst or at a distance from a vertical wall or section 5, such as a kitchen wall. The modularkitchen unit 1 is adapted for standing on a horisontal layer or floor 6. The modular kitchen unit1 may be partly attached to the vertical wall/section 5 and/or the horisontal layer/floor 6 if anenhanced stability of the kitchen unit 1 is desired, but such attachment is not necessary in all applications, i.e. the modular kitchen unit 1 is able to be fully free-standing as a kitchen island.

The modular kitchen 1 comprises a countertop 10, a first end support 11, a second endsupport 12 and a back support or back plate 20, as seen in fig. 1 and seen as a part of it in theback of fig. 7 and in some of the views in figs. 6A to 6D. ln another aspect/embodiment, themodular kitchen unit 1 comprises a bottom or bottom plate/support 30, as seen in fig. 5 andsome of the views in figs. 6A to 6D. The modular kitchen unit 1 also comprises one or moreseparate modules 100 that are adapted for detachable/removable attachment to/in thekitchen unit 1. Bottom support 30 is arranged in parallel with and below the countertop 10 with the back support 20 extending perpendicularly there between. Bottom support 30 is 8adapted for supporting the countertop and/or the back support from below. Bottom support30 gives strength to the whole modular kitchen unit 1 by connecting the laterals or sides, i.e.the end supports 11, 12, the countertop 10 and the back plate 20. As for the countertop 10,the bottom support 30 is also usable as a big shelf to store/hold/support kitchen related ware, such as kitchen appliances, cauldrons, large stew pans and/or large casseroles or the like.

The countertop 10 forms a horizontally extending top layer or surface of the modular kitchenunit 1 and can be made of wood, stone, composite, e.g. Corian®, Medium density fibreboard(MFD), High density fibreboard (HDF), Valchromat®, Compact Iaminate, plastics, plywood or amixture of such materials, e.g. a laminated wooden/plastic plate. Each end support 11, 12extends vertically or perpendicularly relative countertop 10 and/or back support 20. The backsupport 20 is a plate made of glued laminated timber (glulam), plywood or composite or amixture of two or more of those materials or other materials, but is preferably made ofCompact Iaminate being constructed by layers of Kraft paper, dipped in resin and dried. Theselayers of Kraft paper are then sandwiched between laminated top and bottom sheets,compressed and baked, wherein a process called polymerisation melds them all togethercreating a solid-core panel that is an extra tough durable Iaminate. The back support 20 can bemade of non-wood related materials such as plastics, metal, e.g. aluminium etc., but the mostimportant Characteristics of the material of the back support 20 are the following: strong(making the back support 20 able to hold/support the weight of each and any number ofseparate modules 100 that are configured for being detachably attached to the back supportand anything put into each separate module 100 that could give a total weight of each module100 with content of up to 60 kg), stiff/rigid (i.e. not having much movement or not being toosupple as the measurement accuracy is very high in regard of building materials meaning thattolerance ofassembly of each module 100 is very small, i.e. maximum 2 mm), non-hygroscopicor at least a very low hygroscopic ability and stable (having non or very small tendency toabsorb moist and/or water to not change shape/thickness and/or dimensions). The backsupport 20 extends vertically or perpendicularly relative the countertop 10 and/or one end support 11, 12 and/or each/both end supports.

The countertop 10 is supported by an upper end 20A of back support 20 and end supports 11,12. Each end support 11, 12 comprises an upper end 11A, 12A supporting the countertop 10 from below. Each end support 11, 12 comprises a lower end 11B, 12B that may stand on the 9 floor 6 and/or on the bottom support 30. The first or left end support 11 is adapted forsupport of a first upper end 10A of the countertop 10, see figs. 1 and 3. The second or rightend support 12 is adapted for support of a second upper end 10B of the countertop 10, seefigs. 1 and 3. The countertop 10 comprises the first end 10A being the left end in figs. 1 and 3.The countertop 10 comprises the second end 10B being the right end in figs. 1 and 3. The firstand second countertop ends 10A, 10B are shown in figs. 1 and 3 at one location but couldchange place. The countertop 10 is a plate having a thickness of at least 20 to 30 mm or atleast between 20 to 60 mm or even thicker depending on the material making it up and/or itswidth/length. The countertop thickness is defined as the height of the front surface or face ofthe countertop 10 in fig. 1, i.e. as measured in the same extension plane as the view/figure, inother words, as measured in the vertical direction in reality if the countertop lie flat. As thecountertop 10 has a plate shape it comprises a third end 10C and a fourth end 10D. Thecountertop 10 also comprises a top surface facing/exposed upwards and which numeral 10points at in figs. 2, 5 and 6A to 6D (this upper surface forms the cooking and/or washing-uparea) and a lower surface facing/exposed downwards or inwards in figs. 1, 4, 5 and 6A to 6D.The upper and lower countertop surfaces have no numerals and extend in parallel andoverlaid/in alignment at a distance being the thickness of the countertop 10. The first andsecond countertop ends 10A, 10B define the longitudinal ends of the countertop 10. The thirdcountertop end 10C defines the front surface or front or face of the countertop 10 as seen inall figs. The fourth countertop end 10D defines the back of the countertop 10, i.e. the end ofthe countertop arranged furthest away from a user when standing in front of the modularkitchen unit 1. The countertop 10 extends in a horisontal plane perpendicular to the extensionplanes of both the back support 20 and the end supports 11, 12. The back support 20 isarranged to support the countertop 10 along at least a middle section of its length betweenthe first and second countertop ends 10A, 10B from below at a distance d from thefourth/back countertop end 10D as measured in a direction in parallel with the countertop extension from the fourth countertop end towards the third/front countertop end 10C.

The back support 20 of the countertop 10 comprises fasteners 21 that are configured forenabling one or more separate box-shaped modules 100 to be detachably attached thereto.Each separate module 100 as seen in figs. 4, 5, 6A to 6D, 8A to 8D and 9A to 9B comprises a back plate 110 adapted for receiving or holding or supporting detachable fastening devices 120 that are configured for engaging and mating detachably with the fasteners 21 of the backsupport 20. Each fastener 22 of the back support 20 is introduced and held in place in acorresponding fastening hole 22 of the back support 20. The fasteners 21 and fastening holes22 are laid out/arranged by making the holed 22 in the back support 20 in a symmetricalpattern. This symmetrical pattern is made as a matrix with fasteners and holes 21, 22 arrangedin/by groups at defined distances in relation to each other, wherein the common interface is agroup of four fasteners/holes. This means that the least (lowest) common denominator (LCD)is a quadratic symmetrical layout of a group of four fasteners and four corresponding holes 21,22 (one hole for each fastener making up two pairs of fasteners and holes side by sidesymmetrically) along and/or across and/or over the whole surface of the back support 20. Thismatrix of a plurality of groups of fasteners/holes 21, 22 in/on the back support 20 in aquadrilateral fashion where each of the four fasteners 21 and each corresponding hole 22 ineach group forms a corner of the quadrat of the group achieving a sub-pattern of fourfasteners/holes in a equilateral square shape over the whole back support 20. This sub-pattern/LCD/group of four is symmetrical in itself and then also repeated group by groupsymmetrically along/across/over the whole surface of the back support 20. This pattern/LCDof fasteners 21 and holes 22 of which each hole is aligned with a corresponding fastener 21 issimilar to a grid of fasteners and holes with a mesh of two by two as the LCD on the backsupport. This LCD is thereby repeated in way in the back plate 110 of each module100 with an integer value, i.e. with a multiply of integer values only. This means that if thedistance between each hole/fastener 21, 22 on the back support 20 is a predetermined valueofX (see fig. 7), the corresponding value of the distance between each hole 120 in the backplate 110 of each module 100 is 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X and up, the distance is not 0.5X or 1.2X or thelike as visualised in figs. 9A and 9B. This value of the distance in each module 100 being thesame or an integer and/or as a multiply with integers in any direction. This means that even ifthe upper views of fig. 9A showing larger modules having a distance in the vertical direction Vbeing larger than the corresponding distance in the smaller modules 100 in the lower views offig. 9A and the corresponding distances X in fig. 7, this difference is an integer value or amultiply by integers, the same goes for the views in fig. 9B. The same goes for the distances inthe perpendicular or horisontal direction H. This enables for one or more separatelydetachable modules 100 to be interchangeably attached to the back support 20 if a user has a desire/wish/need to change the appearance and use of the modular kitchen unit 1. As a 11 matter of fact, by arranging such a pattern on the back support 20 and each back plate 110 ofeach module 100, any module is also possible to rotate in steps of 90° around an axis beingperpendicular to the extension plane of the back plate 110 of each module 100, e.g. from afirst orientation to a second orientation of 180” from the first orientation and rotated backand/or rotated to a third orientation being 270° from the first orientation and rotated backand/or a fourth orientation being the same as the original one, i.e. 360° from the firstorientation, and rotated back, or rotated into any orientation as long as the module is turnedan angler being an integer multiply of 90”. As an example, cutlery or plates stored in onemodule 100 is possible to move from a first position and/or orientation to a second positionand/or orientation for better reachability and/or access and/or ergonomics. Each module 100is adapted for optionally holding kitchen appliances and/or kitchenware, such as cutlery, plates, glasses, machines etc. ln the modular kitchen 1 the back support 20 is arranged between the third or front counter-top end 10C and the fourth or back countertop end 10D at the distance d being less or closerto the fourth countertop end than the third countertop end. The distance d is less than halfthe depth of the countertop 10. The distance d is less than half the depth of the countertop 10but larger than 50 mm. The distance d is preferably between 50 and 300 mm. A preferreddistance d is between 60 to 80 mm and more preferred between 60 to 70 mm and most preferred about 65 mm or exactly 65 mm.

The back support 20 extends perpendicularly to the countertop 10. The back support 20extends perpendicularly between the two countertop end supports 11, 12. The back support20 extends with its upper end 20A in parallel with the countertop 10 to support it from below.The back support 20 extends with its upper end 20A in parallel and in engagement with thecountertop to support the countertop from below. The back support 20 is a plate or panel thatcomprises the upper end 20A and a lower end 20B. The lower end 20B is in parallel with theupper end 20A. The back support 20 comprises due to its plate/panel shape a third and afourth end 20C, 20D. The third end the fourth end 20D extend perpendicularlybetween the upper end 20A and the lower end 20B. Each of the third and fourth ends 20C, 20D is suspended at one of the first or second countertop end supports 11, 12.

The modular kitchen 1 comprises as explained above and below one or more detachable modules 100 with at least one back plate 110, as seen in figs. 4, 5, 7, 8A to 8D and 9A to 9B. 12 The modular kitchen unit 1 comprises a front 1A and a back 1B see figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5.Optionally, the modular kitchen 1 comprises one or more doors or lids 40 at its front 1A, seefig. 5. ln some aspects, two or more of the doors 40 at the modular kitchen unit front 1A aresliding doors. ln some aspects, such a sliding door 40 (made of at least one pair of doors 40) isoptional. ln some aspects, a sliding door 40 has a length or width being about V4 of the length L of the modular kitchen unit 1 in fig. 1, e.g. 600 mm wide.

Each box-shaped module 100 comprises at least one more section, such as a bottom 111 asseen in figs. 4, 5, 6A, 6B and 8A to 8C besides its back plate 110. ln another aspect, eachmodule 100 comprises at least one more section, such as a top 112 as seen in figs. 4, 5, 6A, 6Band 8A to 8C. ln yet another aspect, each module 100 comprises at least one more section,such as a front or face or door or lid 113 as seen in figs. 4 and 5. ln other aspects, each module100 comprises at least one more section, such as a side or wall or side wall114, 115 as seen infigs. 8A to 8D. One side 114, 115 is the left side 114 of figs. 8A, 8B and left view in fig. 8B whilethe other is the right side 115 in figs. 8A, 8B and left view in fig. 8C. One side 114, 115 is theright side 114 of the middle view in fig. 8D while the other is the left side 115 in the middleview in fig. 8D. Hence, these sides 114, 115 could change place, in particular if the module 100is turned 180° around an axis extending perpendicular to the extension plane of its back plate110. ln figs. 6A to 6D and 8B, aspects are shown where no front or face or door or lid 113 isprovided, i.e. one or more modules 100 could have a front 113 while one or more lack one orcould each module 100 have a front 113 or none as in figs. 6A to 6D and SB (in figs. 8A, SC and8D, there is wall or lid or door 113). ln some cases one or more modules 100 could have adouble door made by two movable fronts 113, similar to the optional double or sliding door 40of the modular kitchen unit 1, depending on the desire of the user of the modular kitchen unit1. ln yet another aspect, the module 100 could only comprise the back plate 110, the bottom 111, the front 113 and the sides 114 and 115 forming a drawer being open from above.

An example of back support fasteners 21 is screw-in sleeves securely screwed into thecorresponding holes 22 of the back support. An example in fig. 7 of fastening devices 120 ofthe back plate 110 of each module 100 is screws, which screws 120 are adapted for extendingthrough corresponding through holes 121 in the back plate 110 to reach for detachablethreading into the screw-in sleeves 21 of back support 20 when attaching a module 100 as a sub-assembly on the back support and within the modular kitchen unit 1. The screws 120 are 13 unscrewed when a module 100 is disassembled from the back support 20. The easiness andflexibility of interchangeable modules 100 is achieved by means of the symmetrical patternalong/across/over the whole surface of the back support 20 being a grid with fasteners 21 andholes 22 arranged symmetrically and equidistant to each other which grid in its LCD form isapplied by correspondingly arranging the fastening devices 120 and corresponding holes 121of each module back plate 110. ln one aspect, the common symmetrical patternalong/across/over the whole surface of the back support 20 is a grid with two and/or fourfasteners 21 and two and/or four corresponding holes 22 arranged symmetrically and equidistant to each other.

The separate box-shaped module 100 according to the invention is detachably fixed to theback support 20 of the modular kitchen 1 according to any former aspect. The module 100comprises at least the back plate 110. The module 100 is adapted for optionally holding orsupporting or storing kitchen appliances and/or kitchenware, such as cutlery, plates, glasses,machines etc. The module 100 comprises the holes 122 for receiving the fastening devices 120on and through its back plate 110. The fastening devices 120 are configured for beingdetachably or removably but securely mated or fitted with the back support fasteners 21. Themodule 100 comprises the back plate fastening devices 120 when to be attached, whichextend through corresponding holes 121 in the symmetrical matrix over the back plate 110.This symmetrical back plate matrix is configured for mating/fitting/being in alignment with thesymmetrical back support pattern on the whole back support 20 having the LCD griddistributed symmetrically as the back support fasteners 21 and holes 22 enabling each fastening device 120 to detachably mate with an associated back support fastener 21. 14NOMENCLATURE 1: Modular kitchen unit. 2: Tap/Faucet. 3: Sink. 4: Mixer tap/faucet. 5: Vertical wall/section. 6:Horisontal layer/floor. 1A: Front of modular kitchen 1. 1B: Back of modular kitchen 1.

: Top/Upper side/surface/layer/plate or Benchtop/Countertop. 10A: First end/Left shortend of countertop. 10B: Second end/Right end of countertop. 10C: Third end/Front/Front endof countertop. 10D: Fourth end/Back/Back end/Depth of countertop. 11: First/Left end/side support/post/wall/panel 11A: First end/Upper end of first/left end support 11B: Second end/Lower end of first/left end support 12: Second/Right end/side support/post/wall/panel 12A: First end/Upper end of second/right end support12B: Second end/Lower end of second/right end support20: Back support/post/plate/panel 20A: First end/Upper end of back support 20B: Second end/Lower end of back support 2OC: Third end/Left end of back support 20D: Fourth end/Right end of back support 21: Fasteners on back support/post/plate/panel 22: Fastening holes in back support/post/plate/panel : Bottom support/plate/panel 40: One or more doors or lids, such as a sliding door for the modular kitchen unit 1. 100: Box-shaped module/Component/Box/Drawer or exchangeable/detachable sub-system/assembly/module/kit 110: Back plate of module 111: Bottom of module 112: Top of module 113: Front/Face/Door/Lid of module 114: First/One/Left side of module 115: Second/Another/Right side of module120: Fastening device of module 121: Fastening through holes in back plate of module

Claims (8)

1. A modu|ar kitchen unit (1) comprising a sink (3), a countertop (10), afirst end support (11), a second end support (12), and a back support (20),the countertop (10) being supported by an upper end (20A) of the backsupport (20) and the end supports (11, 12) of which the first end support (11)is adapted for supporting a first end (10A) of the countertop (10) and thesecond end support (12) is adapted for supporting a second end (10B) of thecountertop (10), the countertop (10) comprising the first end (10A), thesecond end (10B), a third end (10C) and a fourth end (10D), which first andsecond countertop ends (10A, 10B) define the longitudinal ends of thecountertop (10) and the third countertop end (1 OC) defines a front of thecountertop (10) and the fourth countertop end (10D) defines the back of thecountertop (10), wherein the countertop (10) is configured for extending in ahorizontal plane perpendicular to the extension planes of both the backsupport (20) and the end supports (11, 12), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that theback support (20) comprises fasteners (21, 22) laid out or arranged, along oracross or over the whole surface of the back support (20), and that the backsupport (20) is arranged to support the countertop (10) along at least a middlesection of its length between the first and second countertop ends (10A, 10B)from below at a distance (d) from the fourth countertop end (10D) measuredin a direction in parallel with the countertop extension from the fourthcountertop end (10D) towards the third countertop end (10C) ,wherein the modu|ar kitchen unit (1) comprises one or more detachable box-shaped modules (100) with at least one back plate (110)comprising fastening devices (120) configured for being detachably attachedto the back support (20) by means of each fastening device (120) beingarranged or laid out in a symmetrical matrix over the back plate (110), whichsymmetrical matrix is configured for being in alignment with a symmetricalpattern of the back support (20) to enable each fastening device (120) of eachbox-shaped module (100) to be detachably fitted or mated with the associatedfastener (21, 22) of the back support (20), wherein each box-shaped module (100) comprises a bottom (111), atop (112) and at least one side wall (114, 115), wherein the back support (20) comprises holes (22) and the fasteners(21, 22) of the back support (20) are screw-in sleeves (21) securely screwedinto the holes (22) of the back support (20), wherein the back plate (110) comprises holes (121) and the fasteningdevices (120) of the back plate (110) of each box-shaped module (100) arescrews adapted for extending through the holes (121) in the back plate (110)to reach and detachably mate with screw-in sleeves (21) of the back support(20).

2. A modular kitchen unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein thefasteners (21, 22) are laid out or arranged in a symmetrical pattern along oracross or over the whole surface of the back support (20).

3. A modular kitchen unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein theback support (20) is arranged between the third and the fourth countertopends (10C, 10D) wherein the distance (d) is closer to the fourth countertopend (10D) than the third countertop end (10C).

4. A modular kitchen unit (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein thedistance (d) is less than half the depth of the countertop (10) but larger than50 mm.

5. A modular kitchen unit (1) according to any preceding claim, whereinthe back support (20) is adapted for extending perpendicularly to thecountertop (10) and between its two end supports (11, 12) with its upper end(20A) in parallel with and in engagement with the countertop (10) to supportthe countertop (10) from below.

6. A modular kitchen unit (1) according to claim êfi, wherein the backsupport (20) comprises the upper end (20A), a lower end (20B) in parallel withits upper end (20A), a third and a fourth end (20C, 20D) extending perpendicularly between the upper end (20A) and the lower end (20B), whichthird and fourth ends (2OC, 20D) each is suspended at one of the first orsecond end supports (11, 12) of the countertop (10).

7. A modular kitchen unit (1) according to any preceding ciaim,comprising a bottom support (30) arranged in parallel with and below thecountertop (10) with the back support (20) extending perpendicularly therebetween, which bottom support (30) is adapted for supporting both thecountertop (10) and the back support (20) from below.

8. A modular kitchen unit (1) according to any preceding ciaim, whereinthe distance (d) is between 50 and 300 mm.