A mini-greenhouse apparatus (10) suitable for indoor or outdoor use; wherein, the apparatus comprises: a tapered transparent receptacle member (14); an anchor unit (13) engageable with the larger end (14") of the receptacle member; and, a cap unit (12) adapted to cooperate in three different modes; with an enlarged central aperture (17) formed in the smaller end (14') of the receptacle member; and, whereby like mini-greenhouse apparatus components cooperate with one another in a nesting fashion.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates generally to the field of greenhouse or 
terrarium structures. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The prior art is replete with myriad and diverse terrarium and greenhouse 
constructions, examples of which may be seen by reference to the following 
U.S. Pat. Nos: 4,291,494; 4,304,068; 3,939,607; and, 3,995,396. 
While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than 
adequate for their intended purpose and function; they are uniformally 
deficient in a number of individual and shared respects. 
Briefly stated, most of the prior art constructions are only suited for use 
in an indoor or in an outdoor environment; and they are normally not 
designed for use in both environments. 
It should also be noted that: while some of the prior art devices are bulky 
and cumbersome to use; others are fragile and delicate and require careful 
handling; and, still others require inflation and/or stiffening members in 
order to suspend or support a dome element above the bedding plants. 
Yet other prior art constructions include a dome and receptacle 
arrangement; wherein, one or the other, or both of the primary components 
may be used individually for different specific purposes, and used in 
combination to fulfill a common purpose. 
Given the myriad constructions, designs, and intended functions and 
purposes that are represented in the prior art patents, it is amazing that 
new, innovative, and versatile devices are being introduced into the 
marketplace every year. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention represents a totally unique approach to the field of 
terrarium and greenhouse constructions in that: the three main components 
of the design were developed along the lines of knock down nesting 
modules; wherein the three main components of each module are capable of 
nesting with themselves either in the assembled or disassembled mode. 
The three main components of the mini-greenhouse of this invention 
comprise: an enclosure unit; a cap unit; and, an anchor unit; wherein, the 
enclosure unit represents the primary structure around which the 
mini-greenhouse evolves. 
Briefly stated, the mini-greenhouse of this invention is suitable for use 
in both an indoor and an outdoor environment. In addition, each of the 
main components are fabricated from durable material; whereby, the 
mini-greenhouse will provide a long useful life for the casual or 
professional gardener. 
Furthermore, the main components of this invention interact with one 
another; whereby, the gardener may pick and choose which arrangement will 
best suit his or her particular needs at a given time and under certain 
circumstances. 
First of all it is to be understood that the minigreenhouse of this 
invention was developed for use with either potted plants or young garden 
plants. As a consequence the anchor unit would only be employed with the 
enclosure unit in an indoor environment where there were young children or 
pets that could damage the plants. In the outdoor use of the 
mini-greenhouse the anchor unit would almost always be employed. 
The cap unit cooperates with the enclosure unit to produce a removable 
closure element for the enclosure unit; wherein, water and plant food can 
be administered to the plants by removing the cap unit; and, in an 
alternate mode of deployment the cap unit may be partially engaged with 
the enclosure unit to provide ventilation for the plants, while still 
protecting the plants from the direct effect of strong winds and heavy 
rain.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
As can be seen by reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, 
the mini-greenhouse apparatus that forms the basis of the present 
invention is designated generally by the reference numeral (10). The 
mini-greenhouse apparatus (10) comprises in general an enclosure unit (11) 
a cap unit (12) and an anchor unit (13). These units will now be described 
in seriatim fashion. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 thru 3, the enclosure unit (11) comprises a tapered 
cylindrical receptacle member (14) having an enlarged opening (15) 
defining the larger end (14') of the receptacle member (14); and whose 
smaller end (14") is defined by a shoulder element (16) which surrounds an 
enlarged central aperture (17). 
In addition, the shoulder element (16) is further provided with a plurality 
of smaller apertures (18), which surround the periphery of the enlarged 
central aperture (17); and, the larger end (14') of the receptacle member 
(14) is further provided with a lip element (19) which surrounds the 
enlarged opening (15). 
As can best be seen by reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the cap unit (12) 
comprises a generally circular cap member (20) whose diameter is greater 
than the diameter of the enlarged central aperture (17) of the receptacle 
member (14). In addition, the cap member (20) is further provided with 
releasable engagement means (30) in the form of a plurality of deformable 
stem elements (31) that are dimensioned to cooperate with the plurality of 
smaller apertures (18) surrounding the enlarged aperture (17) for 
releasably securing the cap unit (12) to the receptacle unit (11). 
At this juncture it should be noted that the cap unit (12) has three modes 
of disposition relative to the receptacle unit (11). These modes of 
disposition are: fully retracted; partially engaged; and fully engaged. 
In the fully retracted mode depicted in FIG. 3, the enlarged central 
aperture (17) is totally exposed; so that water and plant food may be 
introduced into the interior of the receptacle unit (11). 
In the partially engaged mode (shown in phantom in FIG. 2), the cap member 
(20) is supported above the enlarged central aperture (17) a distance 
equivalent to the height of the unengaged portions of the deformable stem 
elements (31). In this mode, the interior of the receptacle member (14) is 
exposed to ventilation provided by the ambient air currents surrounding 
the receptacle unit (11); while, also being provided with a cover element 
that will prevent the direct entry of heavy precipitation into the 
interior of the receptacle member. 
In the fully engaged mode depicted in FIG. 1, the cap member (20) is 
brought into mating contact with the shoulder element (16) of the 
receptacle member (14); wherein, the interior of the receptacle unit (14) 
is effectively sealed at the smaller end (14") of the receptacle member 
(14). 
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the anchor unit (13) comprises a collar 
element (40) provided with ground penetrating means (50); wherein, the 
ground penetrating means (50) comprises a plurality of downwardly 
depending spike elements (51); and, wherein the spike elements (51) are 
angled slightly outwardly with respect to the collar element (40). 
As can best be appreciated by reference to FIGS. 1 thru 3, the inside 
diameter of the collar element (40) is approximately equal to, but less 
than, the outside diameter of the lip element (19) on the receptacle 
member (14); whereby the anchor unit may be inserted over the smaller end 
(14') and brought into engagement with the rear of the lip element (19) on 
the larger end (14") of the receptacle member to anchor the receptacle 
unit (11) into the soil. 
As mentioned previously, the mini-greenhouse apparatus (10) of this 
invention was developed based on the modular component nesting concept; 
wherein, at least the majority of the major modular components were 
capable of nesting with themselves and with other of the modular 
components; whereby a plurality of the mini-greenhouses could be 
disassembled into their respective components, and the plurality of 
respective components joined together in a non-operational storage mode. 
As can be seen particularly by reference to Fig. 5, in the storage mode a 
plurality of mini-greenhouses (10) can occupy only slightly more storage 
space than would be required to store a single mini-greenhouse (10). Each 
of the receptacle units (11) can assume a nesting relationship with one 
another; and, each of the anchor units (13) can assume a nesting 
relationship: not only with one another; but, also with respect to a 
selected one of the receptacle units (11); and, the anchor units (13) may 
be disposed in either a downwardly pointing, or upwardly pointing 
direction with respect to the selected receptacle unit (11) upon which the 
anchor units (13) rest. 
As is also shown in FIG. 5, the cap units (12) may be stored in the fully 
engaged mode with respect to their associated receptacle member (11); or, 
a plurality of cap units may be stored in one of the interior chambers 
(80) created when a plurality of receptacle units (11) assume a nesting 
relationship. 
In the preferred embodiment of this invention heretofore described, all of 
the major components (i.e. the receptacle unit (11; the cap unit (12); and 
the anchor unit (13)) are fabricated from a hard plastic or the like. In 
addition, it is further contemplated that at least a portion of the 
receptacle member walls (14'") will be fabricated from a transparent 
plastic that will allow sunlight to enter the interior of the receptacle 
member (14) for well recognized reasons. 
A mini-greenhouse apparatus (10) built in accordance with the principles 
disclosed herein will produce a greenhouse apparatus: that is suitable for 
use in both indoor and outdoor environments: that may be deployed in 
either an anchored or unanchored mode in either environment; that may be 
deployed with the cap unit totally disengaged, partially engaged, or fully 
engaged; and, which may be disassembled into its respective components and 
stored with other like components in a nesting relationship that will 
occupy the smallest possible storage space. 
Having thereby described the subject matter of this invention it should be 
obvious that many substitutions, modifications and variations of the 
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to 
be understood that the invention as taught and described herein, is only 
to be limited to the extent of the breadth and scope of the appended 
claims.