Containment apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed are containment apparatuses that include, in some embodiments, a flexible barrier configured to attach to a tray. The flexible barrier may include a middle panel configured to extend approximately perpendicular to and along a perimeter of the tray. The flexible barrier also has a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. A right side panel of the flexible barrier extends from the first edge toward the middle panel and a left side panel of the flexible barrier extends from the second edge toward the middle panel. The containment apparatus further includes an adjustable coupler configured to attach the right side panel to the left side panel.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A containment apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a flexible barrier that attaches to a perimeter of a tray and extends therefrom,   the flexible barrier having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge,   the flexible barrier including a middle panel, a right side panel, and a left side panel, the right side panel extending from the first edge toward the middle panel, and the left side panel extending from the second edge toward the middle panel; and   an adjustable coupler that attaches the right side panel to the left side panel.   
     
     
         2 . The containment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the middle panel includes a first memory wire, the right side panel includes a second memory wire, and the left side panel includes a third memory wire. 
     
     
         3 . The containment apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first memory wire defines a first opening, the second memory wire defines a second opening, and the third memory wire defines a third opening, and wherein a fabric is coupled to each respective memory wire such that the fabric extends over each respective opening. 
     
     
         4 . The containment apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the fabric comprises mesh. 
     
     
         5 . The containment apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first, second, or third memory wires is configured so as to permit twistable collapsibility of the opening to which said first, second, or third wire defines. 
     
     
         6 . The containment apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first, second, or third memory wires is configured so as to permit a portion of the panel with which the at least one of the first, second, or third memory wires is associated to twistably fold back on said panel. 
     
     
         7 . The containment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable coupler comprises at least one of (a) an amount of elastic material extending from and secured to one or more of the middle, right, and left panels, and (b) a snap clip and an adjustable strap coupled to one or more of the middle, right, and left panels. 
     
     
         8 . The containment apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the elastic material is configured to engage with the perimeter of the tray to which the flexible barrier is secured. 
     
     
         9 . The containment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus exhibits a curved profile when deployed in a planar state atop a flat surface. 
     
     
         10 . A containment apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a flexible barrier panel having an upper edge and a lower edge opposite the upper edge, a right end section extending between the upper edge and the lower edge, and a left end section opposite the right end; and   an adjustable coupler having a first part that is removably attached to a second part, the first part attached to the right end section, the second part attached to the left end section,   wherein the flexible barrier panel and the adjustable coupler are configured to extend about a chair and a tray coupled to the chair, such that the lower edge engages the tray.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible barrier panel includes a right panel, a middle panel, and a left panel, the middle panel being positioned between the right panel and the left panel, wherein the right panel extends from the right end section to the middle panel and the left panel extends from the left end section to the middle panel. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the middle panel has a circular shape. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the right panel and the left panel each have a rounded rectangular shape. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the right panel, the middle panel, and the left panel each include a wire frame and a mesh material, each wire frame defining an opening extending therethrough, wherein each mesh material is coupled to each respective wire frame such that each mesh material substantially extends over each respective opening. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus further includes a right connection portion and a left connection portion, wherein the right connection portion is positioned between the right panel and the middle panel, wherein the left connection portion is positioned between the left panel and the middle panel, and wherein the right connection portion foldably connects the right panel and the middle panel, and wherein the left connection portion foldably connects the left panel and the middle panel. 
     
     
         16 . The containment apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising elastic material secured to at least one of the middle, right, and left panels, the elastic material configured to engage with an edge of the tray to which the apparatus is secured. 
     
     
         17 . A method for using a containment apparatus, the method comprising:
 rotating a right side panel relative to a middle panel, the middle panel having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, the right side panel extending from the first edge;   rotating a left side panel relative to the middle panel, the left side panel extending from the second edge;   attaching the right side panel, the left side panel, and the middle panel to a tray; and   coupling the right side panel to the left side panel using an adjustable coupler.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 removing the right side panel, the left side panel, and the middle panel from the tray;   rotating the right side panel relative to the middle panel such that the right side panel and the middle panel extend in substantially the same direction; and   rotating the left side panel relative to the middle panel such that the left side panel and the middle panel extend in substantially the same direction.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the right side panel includes a first memory wire, the left side panel includes a second memory wire, and the middle panel includes a third memory wire. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 twisting the right side panel, the left side panel, and the middle panel about a first axis; and   twisting the right side panel, the left side panel, and the middle panel about a second axis, wherein the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.