CN110547185A

CN110547185A - Plant planter

Info

Publication number: CN110547185A
Application number: CN201810556092.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 郭欣
Original assignee: Siwei Ecological Technology (hangzhou) Co Ltd
Current assignee: Siwei Ecological Technology (hangzhou) Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-05-31
Filing date: 2018-05-31
Publication date: 2019-12-10
Also published as: WO2019228222A1

Abstract

the invention discloses a plant planter, comprising: an illumination module comprising a lighting device capable of providing illumination; the planting module is positioned below the illumination module and is provided with a containing space for containing planting matrixes; two support modules disposed opposite to each other and connected between the illumination module and the planting module, the support modules having a hollow interior; wherein the lighting module is removably attached to each of the support modules and the planting module is removably attached to each of the support modules. The plant planting box can be conveniently disassembled into the illumination module, the planting module and the two supporting modules, so that the plant planting box can be stored and transported in a smaller volume, and the storage and transportation cost is reduced.

Description

plant planter

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of plant planting, in particular to a plant planter.

background

With the ever-increasing standard of living, more and more people are interested in cultivating plants in a limited space such as indoors, on balconies, roofs or patios, for example for eating and/or viewing. Currently known plant growing machines are generally of cabinet type construction, with the cabinets assembled in one piece. The cabinet body can be divided into a plurality of compartments, and each compartment is internally provided with an illumination unit positioned at the top and a planting groove positioned at the bottom, and the planting grooves are used for containing planting matrixes to plant plants. The assembly of each component of this kind of current planting cabinet is all realized through fasteners such as screw, bolt, and the equipment degree of difficulty is great. For this reason, such plant growing cabinets are usually shipped to the user after the entire assembly is completed. However, the transportation of the whole planting cabinet is bulky, which causes the problems of high transportation cost and inconvenient transportation. On the other hand, for aesthetic reasons, the user often does not want to observe the installed fastener. To conceal these fasteners, the structure of existing planting cabinets is typically designed to be complex and make assembly more difficult.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a plant growing machine that solves or at least alleviates one or more of the above-mentioned deficiencies of the prior art. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a plant growing machine that has an aesthetically pleasing appearance, yet is easy to transport and assemble.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plant planter comprising: an illumination module comprising a lighting device capable of providing illumination; the planting module is positioned below the illumination module and is provided with a containing space for containing planting matrixes; and two support modules disposed opposite to each other and connected between the illumination module and the planting module, the support modules having a hollow interior; wherein the lighting module is removably attached to each of the support modules and the planting module is removably attached to each of the support modules.

the illumination module is tool-free and removably attached to each of the support modules without any external fasteners.

The bottom surface of the illumination module is provided with at least one first connecting part at positions close to two end parts of the illumination module, and the top of each support module is provided with at least one first matching part suitable for being connected with the corresponding at least one first connecting part.

The first connection portion includes at least one connection structure, the connection structure includes: a first wall extending outwardly from the bottom surface of the lighting module; and a second wall extending from the first wall and opposite the bottom surface of the lighting module, wherein the first wall and the second wall define a connection slot. The first fitting portion includes: at least one first opening adapted to receive the at least one connecting structure, the first opening disposed at the top of the support module; and a ridge adapted to be received in the connection groove, the ridge protruding from the top of the support module towards the inside of the support module and extending from a corresponding outside edge of the first opening towards the outside of the support module, the ridge abutting the second wall of the connection structure when received in the connection groove.

The first connecting portion includes a pair of connecting structures disposed at a distance from each other and at least one reinforcing member connected between the pair of connecting structures; the first fitting portion includes: the first wall includes a pair of first openings, a pair of protuberances disposed corresponding to the pair of first openings, respectively, and a second opening located between the pair of protuberances and adapted to receive the first wall, the second opening communicating with the pair of first openings.

The connection structure further comprises a third wall extending from the second wall toward the bottom surface of the lighting module, the third wall being opposite the first wall; the first connection portion includes a first reinforcement member connected between the first walls of the pair of connection structures and/or a second reinforcement member connecting the first walls and the third walls of the pair of connection structures, wherein the first reinforcement member is closer to an outer side of the illumination module than the second reinforcement member.

the bottom surface of the illumination module is provided with at least one second connecting part at positions close to the two end parts of the illumination module, and the top of each support module is provided with at least one second matching part suitable for being connected with the second connecting part.

the second connecting portion includes a snap member that extends from the bottom surface of the illumination module and is elastically deformable with respect to the bottom surface, and a free end of the snap member is provided with a hook; the second mating portion includes a flange adapted to engage the hook portion of the snap member.

The outer part of the hook part is provided with an inclined surface suitable for being matched with the flange.

the flange is located at or near an inside edge of the top of the support module.

The support module includes an inner support plate and an outer support plate detachably attached together, each of the inner support plate and the outer support plate having a top plate, a side plate extending downward from the top plate, and a bottom plate extending from the side plate, wherein the top plate and the bottom plate of the inner support plate cover the top plate and the bottom plate of the outer support plate, respectively, wherein the first opening and the second opening penetrate the top plate of the inner support plate and the top plate of the outer support plate, and the protuberance is disposed on a lower surface of the top plate of the outer support plate.

At least one protrusion is provided on one of the inner support plate and the outer support plate, and at least one receiving portion adapted to receive the at least one protrusion is provided on the other of the inner support plate and the outer support plate.

The illumination module includes an upper case and a lower case detachably connected together, and the illumination device is installed in a space defined by the upper case and the lower case.

the planting modules are tool-lessly and removably attached to each of the support modules without any external fasteners.

Each end of the planting module is respectively provided with at least one protruding part, the bottom of each supporting module is provided with at least one accommodating part suitable for receiving the at least one protruding part, and each accommodating part is provided with an accommodating space defined by a plurality of walls and suitable for receiving the protruding part.

At least one snap member is disposed on each of the projections, and each of the receptacles includes at least one opening disposed on at least one wall thereof adapted to receive the at least one snap member.

By splitting the plant planting box into the illumination module, the planting module and the two support modules, the plant planting box can be stored and transported in a smaller volume, and the cost of storage and transportation is reduced. The user can conveniently assemble each module into a complete plant growing box when needed.

Drawings

The invention is described in detail below with reference to the following figures and detailed description, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plant growing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the planter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the illumination module of the plant growing machine;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged partial schematic view of the lower shell of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the support module;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the support module of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the outer support plate of FIG. 5 from another perspective, showing the raised portion;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the inner support plate of FIG. 5 from another perspective, showing a second protrusion; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a planting module.

Detailed Description

The invention is described in detail below by way of exemplary embodiments. It should be understood, however, that elements, structures and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, a plant growing box 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a lighting module 10, a planting module 20 located below the lighting module 10, and two support modules 30 disposed opposite to each other and connected between the lighting module 10 and the planting module 20. The illumination module 10 includes a lighting device capable of providing illumination, such as a circuit board (not shown) on which an LED light source is mounted, or the like. The planting module 20 has a receiving space (not shown) for receiving a planting substrate such as water or nutrient solution. In one example, the top of the receiving space of the planting module 20 is covered with a cover plate 21. The cover plate 21 is provided with a plurality of circular holes 22 having a suitable inner diameter and arranged at suitable intervals. Plants can be inserted into the planting substrate in the receiving space via the respective circular holes 22. The support module 20 has a hollow interior. In one example, a main control circuit board (not shown) may be installed inside one support module 20, to which the lighting devices of the illumination module 10 are electrically connected. According to the present invention, the lighting module 10 and the planting module 20 may be detachably attached to each support module 30, respectively, by any suitable means. Advantageously, the lighting module 10 may be tool-free and removably attached to the respective support module 30 without any external fasteners.

It is noted that by splitting the plant growing box 100 of the present invention into a plurality of modules, namely, the lighting module 10, the growing module 20 and the two support modules 30, the plant growing box 100 can be stored and transported in a smaller volume, reducing the cost of storage and transportation. When it is desired to use the plant growing box 100, a user may also conveniently assemble the various modules into a complete plant growing box 100.

in one embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, the lighting module 10 comprises an upper shell 11 and a lower shell 12 detachably connected together, e.g. by a snap connection, wherein the lower shell 12 forms the bottom of the lighting module 10. The lighting device is installed in a space defined by the upper case 11 and the lower case 12. In the example shown in fig. 3, a plurality of holes 13 are provided on the bottom surface 121 of the lower case 12 to pass light emitted from the lighting device. It should be understood, however, that the bottom surface 121 of the lower shell 12 may also be provided without holes, but with transparent or translucent areas for the passage of the light emitted by the lighting device.

The upper and lower shells 11, 12 of the lighting module 10 may be detachably connected together by a snap fit. In one example, as shown in fig. 3, the inside of the peripheral wall of the upper case 11 of the lighting module 10 is provided with a plurality of inwardly protruding catches 14. Accordingly, a plurality of grooves 15 are provided on the peripheral wall of the lower case 12. Each recess 15 is configured and adapted to receive a corresponding catch 14 in a snap-fit manner, thereby tool-lessly and removably connecting the upper and lower shells 11, 12 together. It will be appreciated that the lower shell 12 may be provided with detents and the upper shell 11 with corresponding recesses. It should also be understood that the upper and lower shells 11, 12 of the lighting module 10 may be tool-lessly attached to each other in other ways, or may be attached to each other using fasteners such as screws, bolts, etc.

At least one first connection portion 41 is provided on the bottom surface of the lighting module 10 (i.e., the bottom surface of the lower case 12) at positions close to both end portions of the lighting module 10, respectively. The top of each support module 30 is provided with at least one first mating portion 51 adapted to engage with a corresponding at least one first connecting portion 41, respectively. In one example, two first connecting portions 41 may be provided at each end position of the lighting module 10, respectively, as shown in fig. 3. Accordingly, two first fitting portions 51 may be provided at the top of each support module 30, respectively, as shown in fig. 2.

as shown in fig. 3A, the first connection portion 41 includes at least one (e.g., two) connection structures 42. Each of the connection structures includes: a first wall 43 extending outwardly from the bottom surface 121 of the lower case 12, and a second wall 44 extending from the first wall 43, the second wall 44 being opposite to the bottom surface 121 of the lower case 12. A connecting slot 46 is defined between the first wall 43 and the second wall 44. The connection structure 42 may further comprise a third wall 45 extending from the second wall 44 towards the bottom surface 121 of the illumination module 10, said third wall 45 being arranged opposite the first wall 43.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, the support module 30 includes an inner support plate 31 and an outer support plate 32 that are removably attached together. The inner support plate 31 has a top plate 311, side plates 312 extending downward from inner side edges of the top plate 311, and a bottom plate 313 extending inward from bottom portions of the side plates 312. The outer support plate 32 has a top plate 321, side plates 322 extending downward from outer edges of the top plate 321, and a bottom plate 323 extending inward from bottoms of the side plates 322. When assembled, the top plate 311 of the inner support plate 31 covers the top plate 321 of the outer support plate 32, which together form the top of the support module 30; while the bottom plate 313 of the inner support plate 31 covers the bottom plate 323 of the outer support plate 32, which together form the bottom of the support module 30.

Referring now to fig. 4-6, the first mating portion 51 disposed at the top of the support module 30 includes: at least one first opening 52 adapted to receive at least one coupling structure 42 of the first coupling portion 41, and a boss 54 adapted to be received in the coupling groove 46 of the coupling structure 42. A first opening 52 is provided on the top of the support module 30. The ridges 54 protrude from the top of the support module 30 towards the interior of the support module and extend from the outer side edges of the corresponding first openings 52 towards the outside of the support module 30 (i.e. towards the side walls 322 of the outer support plate 32). When received in the attachment slot 46, the protuberance 54 abuts the second wall 44 of the attachment structure 42, thereby limiting relative movement of the lighting module 10 and the support module 30 in the height direction Z (fig. 2) of the plant growing box.

In a preferred embodiment, each first connection portion 41 of the lighting module 10 includes a pair of connection structures 42 disposed apart from each other and at least one reinforcing member connected between the pair of connection structures 42, as shown in fig. 3A. The reinforcing member may include a first reinforcing member 47 connected between the first walls 43 of the pair of connecting structures 42 and/or a second reinforcing member 48 connecting the first walls 43 and the third walls 45 of the pair of connecting structures 42. The first reinforcement member 47 is closer to the outside of the lighting module 10 than the second reinforcement member 48.

in this embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, the first fitting portion 51 of the support module 30 includes a pair of first openings 52, a pair of raised portions 54 provided corresponding to the pair of first openings 52, respectively, and a second opening 53 located between the pair of raised portions 54 and communicating with the first openings 52. Thereby, the second opening 53 extends beyond the first opening 52 towards the outside of the support module 30 (i.e. towards the side wall 322 of the outer support plate 32). The second opening 53 is configured and adapted to receive the first wall 43 of the connecting structure 42. In a specific embodiment, the first opening 52 and the second opening 53 of the first fitting part 51 are respectively provided to penetrate the top plates 311, 321 of the inner and outer support plates 31, 32 of the support module 30, and the protrusion 54 is provided on the lower surface of the top plate 321 of the outer support plate 32. Specifically, as shown in fig. 5, through holes 521 and 531 are provided in the top plate 311 of the inner support plate 31 at positions corresponding to the first opening 52 and the second opening 53, respectively; and through holes 522 and 532 are provided at positions corresponding to the first opening 52 and the second opening 53, respectively, on the top plate 321 of the outer support plate 32. The through holes 521 and 522 of the inner and outer support plates form the first opening 52 through each other. The through holes 531 and 532 of the inner and outer support plates form a second opening 53 through each other.

referring to fig. 3 to 6, at least one second connection portion 61 is further provided on the bottom surface 121 of the lighting module 10 at positions close to both end portions of the lighting module 10, respectively. And the top of each support module 30 is provided with at least one second fitting portion 65 adapted to engage with the second connection portion 61, respectively. The second connection portion 61 may be configured as a snap member, in particular, which extends from the bottom surface 121 of the lighting module 10 and is elastically deformable with respect to the bottom surface 121. In one example, the snap members may be integrally formed with the lower housing 12 of the lighting module 10. The buckle member has an elongated body 62, one end of which is integrally formed on the bottom surface 121 of the lower case 12, and the other end of which is a free end and is provided with a hook 63. The second mating portion 65 may be configured as a flange 66 adapted to engage the hook portion 63 of the snap member. The flange 66 may be located at or near an inside edge of the top of the support module 30, such as an inside edge of the top plate 311 of the inner support plate 31, and project upwardly.

When assembling the lighting module 10 and the support module 30, the first connection portion 41 of the lighting module 10 is first aligned with the first mating portion 51 of the support module 30. Then, the connection structure 42 of the first connection portion 41 is inserted into the first opening 52 of the first fitting portion 51. Then, the support module 30 is pushed in an inner direction with respect to the lighting module 10, i.e. the outer support plate 32 of the support module 30 is pushed in a direction towards the inner support plate 31 of the support module 30, so that the ridge 54 of the first fitting part 51 enters the connection groove 46 of the first connection part 41 and abuts the first wall 43 of the first connection part 41. At this time, on the one hand, the swelling part 54 is received in the coupling groove 46, thus restricting the relative movement of the light irradiation module 10 and the support module 30 in the height direction Z of the plant growing box 100 as described above. On the other hand, the pair of first walls 43 of the first connecting portion 41 enters and is clamped between the pair of raised portions 54 of the first fitting portion 51, and therefore, the relative movement of the light irradiation module 10 and the support module 30 in the width direction Y (fig. 2) of the plant growing box 100 is also restricted. At this time, at least a portion of the connection structure 42 of the lighting module 10 is not within the first opening 52 of the support module 30.

When the support module 30 is pushed in the inside direction with respect to the lighting module 10 as described above, first, the hook 63 of the snap member contacts the flange 66 on the support module 30. Then, the body 62 of the buckle member is slightly elastically deformed so that the hook portion 63 moves upward to pass over the flange 66. Preferably, a slope 631 is provided at an outer side portion of the hook 63 so that the hook 63 can more easily pass over the flange 66. The support module 30 is further pushed such that the body 62 of the snap member is rebounded and the hook 63 hooks the flange 66, thereby preventing the lighting module 10 and the support module 30 from being separated from each other in the length direction X (fig. 2) of the plant growing box 100.

since the flange 66 is located at or near the inside edge of the top of the support module 30, the body 62 of the snap member is exposed outside the support module 30 when the lighting module 10 is assembled with the support module 30. When it is desired to separate the support module 30 from the lighting module 10, a user may press the body 62 of the snap member upward from below the lighting module 10, disengaging the snap member hook 63 from the flange 66 of the support module 30. At this time, the lighting module 10 and the support module 30 may be separated from each other along the length direction X of the plant growing box 100. When the connection structure 42 of the light module 10 is completely retracted into the first opening 52 of the support module 30, the light module 10 is lifted up in the height direction Z of the plant growing box 100, i.e., the light module 10 is detached.

One of the inner support plate 31 and the outer support plate 32 of the support module 30 may be provided with at least one protrusion, and the other of the inner support plate 31 and the outer support plate 32 may be provided with at least one receiving portion adapted to receive the at least one protrusion. Whereby the relative positions of the inner support plate 31 and the outer support plate 32 can be maintained. As shown in fig. 5-7, in one example, at least one (e.g., two) first protrusions 33 are provided on the top plate 321 of the outer support plate 32; and at least one (e.g., two) first receiving portions 34 adapted to receive the first protrusions 33 are provided on the top plate 311 of the inner support plate 31. Alternatively or additionally, at least one (e.g., two) second protrusions 35 extending downward from the bottom plate 313 are provided at or near the edge of the bottom plate 313 of the inner support plate 311; and at least one (e.g., two) second receiving portions 36 adapted to receive the second protrusions 35 are provided on the bottom plate 323 of the outer support plate 32. Thus, the assembly and disassembly of the inner support plate 31 and the outer support plate 32 can be easily achieved by the relative movement in the height direction Z (fig. 2). In some examples, the assembled inner support plate 31 and outer support plate 32 can be fixed by fasteners such as screws. In other examples, the assembled inner support plate 31 and outer support plate 32 are not fastened by fasteners for easy removal. After assembly, the bottom plate 313 of the inner support plate 31 covers the second receiving portion 36.

Preferably, the planting modules 20 can also be configured to be tool-free and removably attached to each support module 30 without any external fasteners, thereby facilitating easy removal and installation between the planting modules 20 and the support modules 30. The following detailed description will be made with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 8

as shown in fig. 8, each end of the planting module 20 is provided with at least one (e.g., two) protrusion 24, respectively. Correspondingly, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, the bottom of each support module 30 is provided with at least one (e.g., two) receptacle 37 for receiving the projection 24 of the planting module 20. Each receptacle 37 has a receptacle 371 defined by a plurality of walls adapted to receive a tab 24. In the example shown in fig. 5, the receiving portion 37 is disposed above the bottom plate 323 of the outer support plate 32 of the support module 30. It should be understood, however, that the receiving portion 37 may be disposed below the bottom plate 313 of the inner support plate 31. The bottom plate 313 of the inner support plate 31 covers the receiving portion 37. In one example, the receiving portion 37 includes a bottom wall 372, side walls 373 and 374, and a top wall 375 that define a receiving space 371. The planting module 20 is also provided with at least one (e.g., two) snap member 25 on each projection 24, while each receptacle 37 of the support module 30 includes at least one (e.g., two) openings 38 provided on at least one wall thereof (e.g., the top wall 375) for receiving the corresponding snap member 25.

The second receiving portion 36 of the outer support plate 32 described above may be provided on the top wall 375 of the receiving portion 37, arranged between the two openings 38. The top wall 375 may have a bent structure such that the second receiving portion 36 is positioned higher than the opening 38.

When the planting module 20 and the support module 30 are assembled, the protrusions 24 of the planting module 20 can be aligned and inserted into the receptacles 37 of the support module 30. Thus, the cooperation of the bottom wall 372 and the top wall 375 of the receiving portion 37 with the protrusion 24 limits the relative movement of the planting module 20 and the support module 30 in the height direction Z of the plant growing box 100. The engagement of the two side walls 373 and 374 of the receiving portion 37 with the protrusion 24 restricts the relative movement of the planting module 20 and the support module 30 in the width direction Y of the plant growing box 100. The insertion of the protrusion 24 into the receiving portion 37 is continued so that the snap members 25 are engaged into the corresponding openings 38, whereby the planting module 20 and the support module 30 can be prevented from being separated from each other in the length direction X of the plant growing box 100.

When it is required to separate the support module 30 from the planting module 20, the inner support plate 31 of the support module 30 is first removed to expose the receiving portion 37 provided in the outer support plate 32. Then, the snap members 25 are pressed to be disengaged from the corresponding openings 38 in the receiving portions 37. At this time, the planting module 20 and the supporting module 30 can be separated from each other along the length direction X of the plant growing box 100.

The plant growing box 100 of the present invention can be conveniently disassembled into the illumination module 10, the planting module 20 and the two support modules 30, and at the same time, the modules can be conveniently assembled into a complete plant growing box 100. This not only facilitates the use of the user, but also facilitates the maintenance operation.

it should be noted that while the invention has been described in terms of the above-mentioned embodiments, there are many other embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended that all such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A plant planter, comprising:

An illumination module comprising a lighting device capable of providing illumination;

The planting module is positioned below the illumination module and is provided with a containing space for containing planting matrixes;

Two support modules disposed opposite to each other and connected between the illumination module and the planting module, the support modules having a hollow interior;

wherein the lighting module is removably attached to each of the support modules and the planting module is removably attached to each of the support modules.

2. The plant planter of claim 1 wherein the lighting module is tool-lessly and removably attached to each of the support modules without any external fasteners.

3. the plant planter of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface of the lighting module is provided with at least one first connection portion proximate each end of the lighting module, and the top of each support module is provided with at least one first mating portion adapted to engage the corresponding at least one first connection portion.

4. The plant planter of claim 3 wherein

The first connection portion includes at least one connection structure, the connection structure includes:

A first wall extending outwardly from the bottom surface of the lighting module; and

A second wall extending from the first wall and opposite the bottom surface of the illumination module,

Wherein the first wall and the second wall define a connection slot; and

The first fitting portion includes:

At least one first opening adapted to receive the at least one connecting structure, the first opening disposed at the top of the support module; and

A ridge adapted to be received in the connection slot, the ridge protruding from the top of the support module towards the interior of the support module and extending from a corresponding outside edge of the first opening towards the outside of the support module, the ridge abutting the second wall of the connection structure when received in the connection slot.

5. The plant planter of claim 4 wherein the first connection comprises a pair of connection structures spaced apart from one another and at least one reinforcement member connected between the pair of connection structures; the first fitting portion includes: the first wall includes a pair of first openings, a pair of protuberances disposed corresponding to the pair of first openings, respectively, and a second opening located between the pair of protuberances and adapted to receive the first wall, the second opening communicating with the pair of first openings.

6. The plant planter of claim 5, wherein the connection structure further comprises a third wall extending from the second wall toward the bottom surface of the lighting module, the third wall being opposite the first wall; the first connection portion includes a first reinforcement member connected between the first walls of the pair of connection structures and/or a second reinforcement member connecting the first walls and the third walls of the pair of connection structures, wherein the first reinforcement member is closer to an outer side of the illumination module than the second reinforcement member.

7. The plant planter of claim 1 wherein at least one second connecting portion is further provided on the bottom surface of the lighting module near both ends of the lighting module, respectively,

And the top of each of the support modules is provided with at least one second mating portion adapted to engage with the second connecting portion, respectively.

8. The plant planter of claim 7 wherein the second attachment feature comprises a snap member extending from and resiliently deformable relative to the bottom surface of the lighting module and a free end of the snap member is provided with a hook;

The second mating portion includes a flange adapted to engage the hook portion of the snap member.

9. The plant planter of claim 8 wherein an outer portion of the hook is provided with a ramp adapted to mate with the flange.

10. The plant planter of claim 8, wherein the flange is located at or near an inside edge of the top of the support module.

11. The plant planter of claim 5 wherein the support module comprises an inner support plate and an outer support plate removably attached together, each of the inner support plate and the outer support plate having a top plate, a side plate extending downwardly from the top plate, and a bottom plate extending from the side plate, wherein the top plate and the bottom plate of the inner support plate overlie the top plate and the bottom plate of the outer support plate, respectively,

wherein the first opening and the second opening penetrate through a top plate of the inner support plate and a top plate of the outer support plate, and the bulge is arranged on a lower surface of the top plate of the outer support plate.

12. The plant planter of claim 11 wherein one of the inner support plate and the outer support plate has at least one projection disposed thereon and the other of the inner support plate and the outer support plate has at least one receiver disposed thereon adapted to receive the at least one projection.

13. the plant planter of claim 1 wherein the illumination module comprises an upper housing and a lower housing that are removably connected together, the illumination device being mounted within a space defined by the upper housing and the lower housing.

14. the plant growing machine of claim 1, wherein the growing modules are tool-lessly and removably attached to each of the support modules without any external fasteners.

15. The plant growing machine of claim 14 wherein each end of the growing modules is provided with at least one projection, respectively, the bottom of each support module is provided with at least one receptacle adapted to receive the at least one projection, each receptacle having a receptacle space defined by a plurality of walls adapted to receive the projection.

16. The plant planter of claim 15 wherein each of the projections has at least one snap member disposed thereon, each of the receptacles including at least one opening disposed on at least one wall thereof adapted to receive the at least one snap member.