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.

1 . A flexible barrier comprising:
 a first side panel comprising a front edge, a rear edge, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first fabric panel, a first strip of an edge material affixed to an outer perimeter of the first fabric panel, and a first wire secured within the first strip, the first strip defining a first panel perimeter, the first wire being made of a resilient material and extending around the first panel perimeter;   a second side panel comprising a front edge, a rear edge, an upper edge, a lower edge, a second fabric panel, a second strip of an edge material affixed to an outer perimeter of the second fabric panel, and a second wire secured within the second strip, the second strip defining a second panel perimeter, the second wire being made of a resilient material and extending around the second panel perimeter;   a third panel comprising a left side, a right side, a third fabric panel, a third panel strip of the edge material affixed to an outer perimeter of the third fabric panel, a third wire secured within the third panel strip, the third panel strip defining a third panel perimeter, the third wire being made of a resilient material and extending around the third panel perimeter;   a fourth panel having a left edge affixed to the front edge of the first side panel, a right edge affixed to left side of the third panel, a fourth panel upper strip of the edge material, a fourth panel lower strip of the edge material, a fourth fabric panel, and a fourth stiffening rod, the fourth panel upper strip and fourth panel lower strip being affixed to the fourth fabric panel, the stiffening rod being secured within the fourth panel upper strip;   a fifth panel having a right edge affixed to the front edge of the second side panel, a left edge affixed to right side of the third panel, a fifth panel upper strip of the edge material, a fifth panel lower strip of the edge material, a fifth fabric panel, and a fifth stiffening rod, the fifth panel upper strip and fifth panel lower strip being affixed to the fifth fabric panel, the stiffening rod being secured within the fifth panel upper strip; and   at least one coupler, each of the at least one coupler having a left portion that is affixed to a rear edge of the first side panel and a right portion that is affixed to the rear edge of the second side panel.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the third panel perimeter is substantially circular in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible barrier of  claim 1 , the first panel perimeter and a second panel perimeter each having a rounded rectangular shape. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the fourth panel lower strip and the fifth panel lower strip are comprised of an elastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible barrier of  claim 1 , wherein an elastic material is attached to each of the fourth panel lower strip and the fifth panel lower strip. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising a mirrored surface. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the first fabric panel, the second fabric panel, and the third fabric panel each comprise a mesh fabric. 
     
     
         8 .- 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . 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. 
     
     
         11 . 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. 
     
     
         12 . The containment apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the fabric comprises mesh. 
     
     
         13 . 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. 
     
     
         14 . 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. 
     
     
         15 . 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. 
     
     
         16 . 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. 
     
     
         17 . The containment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus exhibits a curved profile when deployed in a planar state atop a flat surface. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . 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. 
     
     
         20 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . 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. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus further includes a right connection panel and a left connection panel, wherein the right connection panel is positioned between the right panel and the middle panel, wherein the left connection panel is positioned between the left panel and the middle panel, and wherein the right connection panel foldably connects the right panel and the middle panel, and wherein the left connection panel foldably connects the left panel and the middle panel. 
     
     
         24 . 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. 
     
     
         25 .- 28 . (canceled)