Inflatable terrarium assembly

Abstract

A collapsible terrarium assembly which is inflatable to assume a desired configuration for transparently housing a potted plant or other article to be protectively enclosed. The structure is constituted by a disc-like base and a dome attachable thereto. The dome is formed by an open, flexible plastic envelope whose rim is secured to a coupling ring which is joinable to the base to form a hermetically-sealed enclosure, the envelope including a valve for inflating the dome.

I claim: 
     
       1. An inflatable and deflatable collapsible closed terrarium assembly which can be inflated to assume a desired configuration for housing a potted .Iadd.watered .Iaddend.plant .[.or other watered article.]. to be protectively enclosed, said assembly comprising a .[.disc-like.]. .Iadd.flat .Iaddend.base and a dome attachable thereto, said dome being formed of a flexible non-self supporting clear plastic film envelope .Iadd.to expose said potted plant to light incident to substantially the entire surface of the dome, said envelope .Iaddend.having .Iadd.a height exceeding that of the potted plant and .Iaddend.an open mouth, a coupling ring .[.secured to.]. .Iadd.surrounding .Iaddend.the mouth of the envelope and .[.sealably.]. joinable to the base to form a hermetically-sealed enclosure enveloping said .Iadd.potted .Iaddend.plant .[.or other article.]. to prevent evporation therefrom, and a valve mounted on the envelope .Iadd.at a point above said base .Iaddend.for selectively inflating said envelope to assume said configuration and deflating said envelope to a collapsed condition .Iadd., said base having an area greater than the area of the mouth of the envelope to define a base zone extending outwardly beyond the mouth, said envelope having an outwardly extending flange, said ring detachably clamping said flange to said base zone without penetrating said flange and said zone to effect hermetic sealing of said enclosure.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       2. A terrarium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said envelope is formed of polyvinyl chloride. .[.3. A terrarium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said base and said coupling ring are provided with matching annular gaskets..]. .[.4. A terrarium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said base and said ring are provided with complementary fastening elements..]. .[.5. A terrarium as set forth in claim 4, wherein each fastening element is constituted by a downwardly projecting spring finger secured to the periphery of said ring and a recessed ledge secured to the periphery of said base, said finger passing through said recess and engaging said ledge..].