Clothing shield with opening mechanism

Abstract

The present invention provides a clothing shield. The clothing shield has a chest section, pocket section and an optional lap section. The pocket section includes an opening member that causes the pocket to automatically open when the clothing shield is used.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A clothing shield having a body side and an outward side comprising: a chest section and a pocket section, wherein the pocket section includes an opening member that causes the pocket to automatically open.  
     
     
         2 . A clothing shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the pocket section opens when the clothing shield is removed from packaging or is used.  
     
     
         3 . A clothing shield according to  claim 1  further comprising a lap section.  
     
     
         4 . A clothing shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the pocket section curves away from a wearer.  
     
     
         5 . A clothing shield according to  claim 1  further comprising one or more attachment devices for securing the clothing shield to a wearer.  
     
     
         6 . A clothing shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening member is a resilient or elastic opening member.  
     
     
         7 . A clothing shield according to  claim 6 , wherein the resilient opening member comprises filaments.  
     
     
         8 . A clothing shield having a body side and an outward side comprising: a chest section, a pocket section and a lap section, wherein the pocket section includes a live hinge-opening member.  
     
     
         9 . A clothing shield according to  claim 8 , wherein the live hinge-opening member is formed of molded plastic.  
     
     
         10 . A clothing shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the clothing shield is of sufficient size to protect a chest, lap and immediate surrounding environment of a wearer.  
     
     
         11 . A clothing shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the pocket section is a substantially full-width pocket section.  
     
     
         12 . A clothing shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the body side comprises a liquid impermeable material.  
     
     
         13 . A clothing shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the outward side comprises an absorbent material.  
     
     
         14 . A clothing shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening member is disposed in the bottom of the pocket member.  
     
     
         15 . A clothing shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening member is at the top of the pocket member.  
     
     
         16 . A clothing shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device comprises adhesive material.  
     
     
         17 . A method for using the clothing shield of  claim 1  comprising securing the clothing shield to a wearer.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  further comprising protecting clothing during eating, washing or oral care of the wearer.