Abstract:
A system for modular gardening including a water module having a reservoir coupled to an aperture such that water in the reservoir flows out the water module via the aperture. The system also including a plant module having a housing having an aperture arranged to transfer water with another module and further having an open region on a top surface of the housing, a first conduit within the housing coupling the aperture and a regulator, a second conduit coupled to the regulator, the second conduit providing water to one or more water absorbent layers arranged atop the second conduit, and plant life at least partially embedded in at least one of the one or more water absorbent layers and receiving light through the open region.

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Patent App. Ser. No. 61/483,993 for Modular Gardening System, filed May 9, 2011, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to a modular gardening system having plant modules for growing plant life and water modules for providing water to the plant modules and plant life. The plant modules and water modules may be constructed and interconnected as described below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A system for modular gardening including a water module having a reservoir coupled to an aperture such that water in the reservoir flows out the water module via the aperture. The system also including a plant module having a housing having an aperture arranged to transfer water with another module and further having an open region on a top surface of the housing, a first conduit within the housing coupling the aperture and a regulator, a second conduit coupled to the regulator, the second conduit providing water to one or more water absorbent layers arranged atop the second conduit, and plant life at least partially embedded in at least one of the one or more water absorbent layers and receiving light through the open region. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of plant modules and water modules according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a water module according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a plant module according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a lid of a plant module according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 5 ,  5 B,  6  and  6 B are cross-sectional side views of a plant module according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a top cross-sectional view of portions of a plant module according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of water-absorbent package according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional side view of the water-absorbent package and pillow according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the regulator according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are cross-sectional side views of a regulator and main conduits according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a connector according to an aspect of present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional side view of a connector connecting two main conduits according to an aspect of present disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a plug according to an aspect of present disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional side view of a plug sealing a main conduit from an aperture according to an aspect of present disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional side view of a water module. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a water pressure regulator. 
         FIG. 18  is a cross sectional side view of a water pressure regulator. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a fertilizer bottle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a top view of plant modules  4  and water module  2  according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The modular gardening system of the present disclosure may include one or more water modules  2  and one or more plant modules  4  that may be connectably arranged in a variety of ways. Plant modules  4  may contain one or more plants, seedlings, or plant seeds (not shown in this view) that grow when supplied with water. A user may arrange one or more plant modules  4  on a surface, then link those plant modules  4  together as described below. The user may couple one or more water modules  2  to the plant modules  4  such that water module  2  may provide water to one or more plant modules  4 , causing plants to grow. Each plant module  4  may contain one or more different types of plant, such that the user may create a garden by arranging plant modules  4  on a surface. In one aspect, plant modules  4  may not contain soil, and plants may be grown hydroponically. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show perspective views of plant module  4  according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Plant module  4  may include lid  6  and tray  8  together serving as an enclosure. As shown in  FIG. 3 , tray  8  may have one or more apertures  14  arranged on a vertical wall portion  16  of tray  8  to receive water directly from water module  2  or indirectly via another plant module  4 . Tray  8  may further have magnets, adhesive, Velcro, or the like (not shown) on vertical wall portion  16  to facilitate coupling with water module  2  or another plant module  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , lid  6  may have an opening  38  on a top surface through which plants may receive light and grow and removable cover  36  that fits within opening  38 . When removable cover  36  is present, the plants may experience increased humidity. Removable cover  36  may be removed after a predetermined time or when plants achieve a certain size. Removable cover  36  may be placed within opening  38 , for example, during storage or transport. In one aspect, lid  6  may be (18″×18″×0.5″) (45.72 cm×45.72 cm×1.27 cm) 0.10″ (0.254 cm) thick injection molded, clear plastic, and tray  8  may be (18″×18″×1.25″) (45.72 cm×45.72 cm×3.175 cm) slump formed tray. 
       FIG. 7  shows a top cross-sectional view of portions of tray  8  of plant module  4  according to an aspect of the present disclosure. For ease of view and explanation,  FIG. 7  shows tray  8  and portions of plant module  4  relating to transfer of water, but omits portions of plant module  4 , for example those relating to a growing medium. Tray  8  may have one or more main conduits  10  and irrigation conduits  12 . In one aspect, one or more main conduits  10  may be coupled to and transfer water between aperture  14  and regulator  22 . In one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, tray  8  may have four main conduits  10  that may be arranged to receive water from water module  2  and to transfer water to other plant modules  4 . The four main conduits  10  may extend to any side of tray  8  and may couple to water module  2  and/or another plant module  4  via connector  20  (shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). In one aspect, main conduit  10  may be (0.35″×0.70 linear feet) (0.889 cm×1.77 cm) extruded, clear polyurethane tubing. 
     Irrigation conduit  12  may distribute water within plant module  4 . In one aspect, irrigation conduit  12  may be porous to allow water to enter tray  8  and irrigate plant or seed growing within plant module  4 . In one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure shown in  FIG. 7 , four irrigation conduits  12  may be arranged to extend from center toward the four corners of tray  8 . Main conduit  10  and/or irrigation conduit  12  may be arranged at the bottom of tray  8 . In one aspect, irrigation conduit  12  may be (0.25″×0.75 linear feet) (0.635 cm×1.905 cm) porous pipe, mixture of recycled rubber and polyethylene, extruded. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show cross-sectional side views of plant module  4  according to two aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in addition to main conduits  10 , irrigation conduits  12  and regulator  22 , plant module  4  may have one or more layers of materials to assist growing plants. Capillary matting  24  may be arranged atop main conduit  10  and/or irrigation conduit  12  (not shown) and may absorb water and provide water to pillow  28 . Capillary matting  24  may be an absorbent, synthetic, rot-proof, material that absorbs and facilitates distribution of water. In one aspect, capillary matting  24  may be (8.5″×8.5″×0.15″) (21.59 cm×21.59 cm×0.381 cm) die cut matting with 0.25″ (0.635 cm) rounded corners. In an aspect shown in  FIG. 5 , secondary matting  26  may sit atop capillary matting  24  and may hold and absorb moisture. 
     Secondary matting  26  may be a die cut matting and growth medium for plants, the thickness of which may be determined by the size and type of the plant. Secondary matting  26  retains water moisture for the plants, and the structure of the material may allow for aeration beneficial for plant growth and may provide root structure. Secondary matting  26  may be made of coconut husks, rockwool, or polyethylene terephthalate fibers, perlite, vermiculite, or any growth medium. In one aspect, secondary matting  26  may be (18″×18″×0.35″) (45.72 cm×45.72 cm×0.889 cm). 
     As further shown in  FIG. 5 , pillow  28  may sit atop secondary matting  26  within tray  8 . Pillow  28  may be removed or replaced from tray  8  of plant module  4 , for example, to remove or change the plant(s) grown within plant module  4 . In one aspect, pillow  28  may be (18″×18″×0.5″) (45.72 cm×45.72 cm×1.27 cm) and may include sphagnum peat moss and plant seeds, embedded into an erosion control blanket woven pillow. In other aspects, pillow  28  may be made from hemp, burlap, or any material that retains moisture, allows for proper aeration of seeds, and blocks sunlight. 
     In the aspect shown in  FIG. 6 , water-absorbent package  48  containing pillow  28  may sit atop capillary matting  24 . Water-absorbent package  48  is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Water-absorbent package  48  may contain pillow  28 . Pillow  28  may include secondary matting  26 , hydrogel granules  58 , and seeds  54 . Hydrogel granules  58  may provide extra moisture for the plant roots. In one aspect, water absorbent package  48  sits atop capillary matting  24  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) and receives moisture therefrom. Seeds  54  within pillow  28  sprout roots downward into secondary matting  26 . The roots then cling to water absorbent package  48  and receive moisture through the water absorbent package  48 . Water absorbent package  48  may be a slump formed container made of a super absorbent polymer that absorbs and retains water. 
     Water absorbent package  48  may have a re-sealable top  50  that allows for increased humidity within package  48  when top  50  is sealed. When plants grow large enough, top  50  may be removed from package  48 . When water absorbent package  48  and top  50  are used in this way, lid  6  may not be needed. In this aspect, pillow  28  may be (18″×18″×0.5″) (45.72 cm×45.72 cm×1.27 cm) sized woven hemp pillow. Water-absorbent package  48  may be removed or replaced from tray  8  of plant module  4 , for example, to remove or change the plant(s) grown within plant module  4 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a side view of regulator  22  with upper apertures  42  for connecting to main conduits  10  and lower apertures  44  for connecting to irrigation conduits  12 . 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  show cross-sectional side views of regulator  22 , main conduits  10 , and irrigation conduits  12  according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Regulator  22  may connect to and manage the flow of water between main conduits  10  and irrigation conduits  12 .  FIG. 11A  shows a cross-sectional side view of “dry” regulator  22  (i.e., where little or no water is present) coupled to two main conduits  10  and  10 ′ and two irrigation conduits  12 . Newly added water may flow in the direction of arrow A through main conduit  10 ′ into regulator  22  via upper aperture  42 . Once inside regulator  22 , water may flow downward through inner aperture  56  in the direction of arrow B around float  40 , which is resting on a floor of regulator  22 . Water then flows out lower apertures  44  and into irrigation conduits  12  into tray  8 . 
       FIG. 11B  shows a cross-sectional side view of regulator  22  after sufficient water is applied. When sufficient water is applied, in one example, approximately 2.35 liters of water, water may flow through irrigation conduits  12 , fill reservoir  52 , and cause float  40  to rise in direction of arrow C and contact inner aperture  56  forming a seal and blocking the flow of water from main conduit  10 ′ to irrigation conduits  12 . Water may then flow from main conduit  10 ′ past sealed inner aperture  56  to main conduit  10  in direction of arrow A, possibly to another module if so connected. It will be understood that water may originate from and flow to either direction between main conduits  10 ′ and 10. In one aspect, regulator  22  may be (1.125″×1.0″) injection molded plastic. 
     Water that enters irrigation conduit  12  exits via pores or openings in irrigation conduit  12 , then settles and accumulates within reservoir  52 , typically maintaining a consistent level of water within reservoir  52 . In one aspect, water is then wicked upward through capillary matting  24 , which helps maintain a consistent level of moisture. Seeds within pillow  28  sprout downward into secondary matting  26  and receive moisture from capillary matting  24 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of two-ribbed connector  20  according to an aspect of present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 13 , connector  20  may be inserted in apertures  14  and  14   a  of two modules to facilitate water transfer between the two modules, such as two plant modules  4 , two water modules  2  or between water module  2  and plant module  4 . Connector  20  may connect main conduit  10  of tray  8  of a first plant module  4  with main conduit  10   a  of tray  8   a  of a second plant module  4   a , thereby allowing water to flow between the modules. In one aspect, connector  20  may be (0.60″×0.40″×0.40″) (1.52 cm×1.01 cm×1.01 cm) injection molded plastic. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , plug  30  may fit into aperture  14  to prevent transfer of water out of a module, for example when aperture  14  is not connected to another module, such as water module  2  or another plant module  4 . Plug  30  may be (0.30″×0.45″×0.45″) (0.762 cm×1.14 cm×1.14 cm) injection molded plastic. In another aspect, plug  30  may be sized and configured to fit within connector  20  when connector is present in aperture  14 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of water module  2  according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Water module  2  may be connected to plant module  4  via one or more connectors  20  as described above. Water module  2  may have lid  32  allowing access to an internal water reservoir  46 . Water in reservoir may be gravity fed through water module  2  out aperture  34  via connector  20  to plant module  4 . In one aspect, water module  2  may be (18″×18″×12.5″) (45.72 cm×45.72 cm×31.75 cm) 0.10″ (0.25 cm) thick injection molded plastic such as polypropylene and may be formed using an injection molding process.  FIG. 16  shows a cross-sectional side view of water module  2  according to one aspect in which reservoir  46  couples to tray  8 , which was described in connection with plant module  4  above. In that aspect, water may travel through regulator  22  and out aperture  34  via main conduit  10 . 
       FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of a water pressure regulator  60 . Water pressure regulator  60  is an optional component that may connect to a faucet or garden hose and provides water directly to plant module  4  without the use of water module  2 . Inlet aperture  62  may attach to faucet head (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 18 , water flows into inlet aperture  62  in direction indicated by arrow A and is directed around seat  64  in direction indicated by arrow B. Water then flows through inner channel  66  and out of water pressure regulator  60  through outlet aperture  68  in direction indicated by arrow C. Outlet aperture  68  may be attached to conduit  70 . Water flows through conduit  70  and attached connector  20 . which may be attached to plant module  4 . Water pressure regulator  60  may have aperture  74  to attach fertilizer bottle  72 . Fertilizer bottle  72  may detachably connect to regulator  60  via aperture  74  and steadily supplement the water flowing through inner channel  66  with liquid fertilizer at a proportioned rate. 
     Numerous additional modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in view of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.