Abstract: A new collar guard system for preventing shirt collars from being soiled, thus reducing cleaning bills and extending the life of shirts. The inventive device includes a first layer of water impervious material with an adhesive on one side for attaching the layer to the collar of a shirts. A second layer of non-woven, moisture absorbent material is attached to the first layer for absorbing moistures from the user's neck. A tapered spacer member is attached to the second layer so as to slightly space the second layer from the user's skin. The first layer, second layer, and spacer member can be disposed within a washable fabric protective cover so as to form a core thereof. A slot is provided on the cover through which the core can be inserted and removed, and a tab is attached to the core so as to facilitate insertion and removal of the core.

Abstract: A handbag is disclosed comprising pouch with a flap, a pulley drawstring means, and a fulcrum means. Preferably the drawstring runs in a continuous circuit through the edge of the flap and the fulcrum means. Opening the flap pulls the drawstring in one direction; pulling the drawstring in the other direction closes the flap. A preferred fulcrum is a pair of loops, one on each side of the handbag. Balancing loops above the pulley loops and one or more tension loops between the pulley loops and the balancing loops are optional. This same invention may be applied to a backpack.