Improvements in Systems for Controlling and Recording Sales, Receipts, and like Operations.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 5th Jan., 1900-Accepted, 18th May, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in Systems for Controlling and Recording Sales,
Receipts, and like Operations.
I, FREDERIK JACobus Hoffman, Artist, of 2, Chaussée du Pont, Boulogne sur-
Seine, France, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
My invention consists, broadly speaking, in a system by which it is rendered
possible to control, and keep an exact record of, all operations such as sales in
stores, and receipts of monies. The system is particularly adapted as a means
for controlling the sums of money received in the cash department of a store,
while simultaneously affording ready means for controlling and recording the
amounts of the sales made by the individual salesmen of the store. The inven-
tion is, however, not limited to that special application, because it is also capable
of adaptation to all cases generally where it is a question of controlling the
delivery or receipt of goods or other articles.
I will describe the invention as applied to the control of monies received in
the cash department of a store and simultaneously to the recording of the amounts
of the sales made by the individual salesmen of the store.
For convenience of description, the invention is herein described and shown
as applied to a decimal system as is, for instance, the case with United States
money, but it is evident that it is likewise applicable to the English money.
system, without in any way departing substantially from the gist of the invention.
The gist of the invention resides mainly in the employment of several series
of paper strips placed in a box or case, of which one box is for each salesman
of the particular store. Each strip of each series has printed on it a given
number which is repeated as many times as may be desirable, say one hundred
times, and these like numbers bear consecutive exponents playing the part of
rotation numbers. Each series comprises nine strips, each bearing, repeated
thereon, a given number and an exponent, as already stated, and each strip
has its own number from the 1 inclusive to the 9 inclusive. The series of paper
strips may amount to say six in number, the first of which applies to hundredths
or cents, the second to tenths or dimes, the third to units or dollars, the fourth
to tens of units, the fifth to hundreds of units and the sixth to thousands of
units; there is, however, no limit to this number of series.
Each strip is preferably formed of a narrow band of paper or equivalent
substance wound into a coil and bears, as before mentioned, the repetition of a
given numeral which varies from 1 to 9 inclusive, the said numeral being repeated
say one hundred times and each numeral having its exponent and an indication
of its value.
Let us consider one of the series, say the series of strips belonging to the
units. Each of the same is formed of a paper strip, the first of which will bear a
repetition of the numeral 1 and an exponent, viz.:
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | and so an

page_text: "
of the numeral 3 and an exponent and so on up to the ninth, which will bear
the repetition of the numeral 9 and an exponent.
The invention also consists in a box or case in which the series of strips are
arranged and grouped.
The invention also consists in a duplicate strip of which one half is delivered
to the salesman for use and the other remains in the hands of a superintendent
in charge.
The invention also consists in a bill blank which the salesman fills up for
each sale.
The invention also consists in a controlling sheet which the salesman fills up
when he is called upon by the proprietor of the store to render an account of
the sales effected.
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 shows the box or case unfolded, ready for use.
Fig. 2 is a section of Fig. 1 on the line 2, 2.
Fig. 3 is a section of Fig. 1 on the line 3, 3.
Fig. 4 is, as compared with Fig. 1 showing the box unfolded, a plan of the
box closed.
Fig. 5 is a plan similar to Fig. 4 except that the cover of the box is raised.
Fig. 6 is a side view of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 shows one of the strips complete.
Fig. 8 shows the same strip severed in two.
Fig. 9 shows the salesman's bill blank.
Fig. 10 shows the controlling sheet.
In the instance illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the box or ease a is
preferably of book form, composed of two main portions a¹, a² connected by
hinges and held together, when closed, by a clasp or other like fastening a
hinged at a and engaging a hook a on the portion a³ of the box. The portion a
is externally closed by a cover a hinged at a8 and the portion a² is partially
closed by a cover a hinged at a, Fig. 6, and partially by a fixed wall a". A
suitable fastening a secured to the fixed wall a holds the cover in its closed
position. The shape and arrangement of the box shown in the drawing is,
however, immaterial; any other equivalent arrangement may be employed with
advantage.
The strip is formed of a ribbon of paper b, Fig. 7, long enough to receive a
repetition of one given numeral say one hundred times arranged in two parallel
rows and separated by a close ruling or other marking At the foot or rather
at the first one of the numerals is printed the particular designation for which
the strip is intended, that is to say, it bears one of the following words:
hundredths, tenths, units, tens, hundreds or thousands, and each numeral is
accompanied by an exponent 2, as shown. By way of illustration, the strip b
shown in Fig. 7 is intended to represent units." The strip, when so prepared,
is severed by an irregular cut through the marking into two halves b³, b
Fig. 8, of which one is handed to the salesman, for use in the manner hereinafter
set forth, and the other is kept by a superintendent, who, in case of need or
suspicion, can at all times control the authenticity of the strips, either in actual
use or already used and disposed of by the different salesmen. Prior to its
being severed, the duplicate strip may be stamped with the date, a rotation
number, the name, or other conventional sign appertaining to the salesman to
whom the one half of the strip is handed. By keeping an account of the quantity
.of various strips handed by the superintendent to the salesmen, the superintendent
can readily calculate and ascertain the amount of sales made within a given time
by any particular salesman, taking into account the amounts represented by the
strips still contained in the box of the said salesman. The reverse side of the
strip b, .e. the opposite side to that which is printed, is gummed for the purpose
hereinafter set forth.
A suitable number of strips b, each having printed on them their particular

page_text: designation, viz.: 1) hundredths, tenths, units, tens, hundreds or thousands as
the case may be, 2) a repeated numeral, and 3) an exponent, are rolled up into
a coil of small size b, and are respectively placed in proper order into small
compartments, Fig. 2, 3 and 5, formed, in the portions a, a² of the box, by
longitudinal partitions and transverse partitions . In the instance ilius-
trated, the box is shown wider than is necessary for the reception of the six
series of different rolled up strips b, so as to leave a vacant space a¹6 in each
horizontal row at the left of the apparatus in Fig. 3 and 5, into which a reserve
of strips may be stored up for use, if desired.
In order to hold the ends of the strips, and, at the same time, to guide them,
I provide a set of rods, each comprising three rods 6, 6, 68 for each row of
strips b. Each row is, at one end, bent at right angles, so as to form a handle b,
by which the rod can be turned and pulled out when required, whilst the opposite
end engages a hole in the wood, wherein it is supported as shown in Fig. 3.
As shown in the drawings, each strip first passes under the first guide-rod 76,
and lies flat against the partition, then passes also under the second guide-
rod and over the third guide-rod 18, beyond which it projects sufficiently for
enabling the salesman to seize it with the fingers, draw it out to the extent of
one numeral and then tear it off, as hereinafter explained.
On that side of the two portions a, a of the box whereat the handle 69 projects,
is provided a ledge 610, Fig. 1, 3, 5 between which and the said portions a¹, a²
are interposed distance pieces 61, 61, 6, fastened by means of screws 6 or
otherwise.
In addition to its being supported at both ends, each guide-rod 5, or 68
may be additionally guided by pegs 613 driven at suitable intervals into the
partitions a, the head of the said pegs projecting above the guide-rods. The
said partitions a¹¹ are secured in place by screws engaging the vertical
partitions a
The strips corresponding to the units may be separated from those corre-
sponding to the tenths by a vertical bar as held in place over the guide-
rods 7, 8 by screws 19 or otherwise. A similar bar 20 has been illustrated
as separating the strips corresponding to the hundreds from those corresponding
to the tens. Any other means may be resorted to for distinguishing the series
of strips from each other, as for instance, by means of colors, each series having
its own color.
The bill-blank shown in Figure is composed after the fashion of any bill
as used in stores, except that it is or may be formed of three parts and that one
of these parts is of a special design. The bill-blank c, a number of which are
contained in the portion of the box, see Fig. and 2, is formed of a main
portion e, Fig. 9, a detachable stub and a detachable controlling slip, the
three parts being detached from each other on the perforated lines c', . On
each portion are preferably printed the number or name of the salesman and
the rotation or consecutive number of the bill-blank as a whole. The salesman
writes on the portion c¹ the designation and price of the goods sold and he repeats
them upon the detachable stub which is intended to remain in his charge,
whilst the portion c¹ is handed to the purchaser, after it has been receipted at
the cash department or otherwise.
The controlling slip
has likewise printed on it the corresponding designation
in respect of salesman and consecutive number and it is, furthermore, divided
into as many divisions as there are series of strips in the apparatus. In each
division is printed a zero in some ink soluble in water, for the purpose hereinafter
explained.
The operation is as follows. Assuming that the apparatus has been fitted with
the various series of numbered strips and that no number has as yet been
detached from any strip. Assume also that the bill-blank c has not been made
use of. The salesman, on making a sale, the amount of which is supposed to be
78 dollars 60 cents, writes the nature of the goods and that amount on both

page_text: portions, 3, after which he tears off the first number 7 of the strip corre-
sponding to the tens and sticks it, its rear face being gummed, into the corre-
sponding division of the tens, he also tears off the first number 8 of the strip
corresponding to the units, also the first number 6 of the strip corresponding
to the tenths, and sticks them respectively into their proper divisions. No
number requires to be applied to the section for the hundredths because the
amount does not comprise any hundredths and therefore the zero already printed
on the bill-blank will find its use. Fig. 1 shows the respective strips after the
first number thereof has been torn off.
The bill being now made up is ready to be dealt with. The stub is detached
and retained by the salesman. The main portion or bill proper d is likewise
detached and handed to the purchaser after having been receipted by the cashier
and the remaining slip is retained by the cash department.
The zero in each division 6 of the controlling slip is preferably printed in
some ink soluble in water, as hereinbefore stated, in order to detect fraud. For
instance, a cashier, after having handed to him the bill shown in Fig. 1 amount-
ing to $78.60 and after having received that amount, might unpaste say the
number corresponding to the tens so as to make the bill appear so much less in
amount, that fact would be rendered readily visible owing to the color of which
the ink is formed being partly if not entirely carried away by and adhering
to the number removed by the cashier.
The controlling sheet, which each salesman fills up when called upon by the
proprietor of the store to render an account of the sales effected during a given
time, is composed of a blank form shown in Fig. 10. By filling the same up
as hereinafter described, the proprietor is enabled to ascertain at any time, not
only the amount of the sales effected by the various clerks or in certain depart-
ments of his store, but he can also determine exactly the quantity of unused
strips still remaining in the hands of each clerk.
The controlling sheet d contains, say at the top portion ; the name of the
store-keeper, and blanks intended to be filled up for indicating the number of
the sheet, the date and the number of the salesman. On the left portion ², it is
divided into as many columns as there are series of strips, such columns
corresponding, in the present instance, to the thousands, hundreds, tens, units,
tenths and hundredths, an additional column being provided for the nine
numerals (from 1 to 9 inclusive). Each column is itself divided up into
four different heads do, do, d³, №8. In the one the salesman writes the rotation
number which appears on the strip at the time he begins operations. In the
one he writes the rotation number which appears on the strip at the time he
is making up his account. In the one he writes a number corresponding to
the quantity of numbers utilized in the strip and in the one he writes the
respective totals. On the right portion, it is likewise divided up for the
purpose of containing a recapitulation as shown.
Assuming a salesman to be called upon to give an account of the sales effected
by him at the time the apparatus has been employed to the extent described so
far, riz. at the times the sales amount to $78.60, he will fill out the controlling
sheet in the following manner. In the first place, he will put a number to the
sheet, the date and his own number or other like designation, after which he
will proceed to fill out the various columns . In the head of column d³
for the thousands, he will write, (on a line with the numeral which designates
the number printed on the strip for the thousands) the exponent number which
appears on the strip for the said thousands, viz.: 1, and likewise with reference
to the remaining numerals 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. As none of these strips have
been utilized, the exponents on each will be the numeral 7, see Fig. 1; the
salesman will consequently write that numeral throughout the said head d³
for the thousands column d³. He will next fill out the head of the said
thousands column d³, such head being intended, as herein before stated, to contain
the rotation number appearing at the time on the various strips for the thousands.

page_text: As none of these strips have been utilized, the rotation numbers will be the
same as for head and the salesman will consequently write the same numeral
throughout the said head for the thousands. He will then fill out the head d
of the same column 3, such head being intended, as hereinbefore stated, to
contain the number corresponding to the quantity of numbers torn off from the
strips. As no number has been torn off any of the strips for the thousands, the
salesman will write zero, after which he will proceed to write down the total,
which evidently will be nil.
.
He will afterwards proceed to similarly fill out the remaining heads d³, ds
d, d for the columns corresponding to the hundreds, tens, units, tenths and
hundredths, the operation being rendered readily apparent from the drawing,
whereby it will be seen that the controlling sheet will shows sales to the amount
of $78.60.
The salesman finally proceeds to fill out the right portion of the sheet, as
will be readily understood on examining such portion and the controlling sheet d
being completely filled up is now handed to the storekeeper.
Having now set forth the nature of my invention, and the best means I am
acquainted with for carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be distinctly under-
stood that I do not limit myself to the precise details herein described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, because they may vary considerably
without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, as regards
the bill-blank and the controlling sheet d, both may be modified to suit particular
conditions or circumstances and yet answer the purpose herein contemplated to
be met. Again, the apparatus itself may vary as to arrangement and construc-
tion, especially as regards the means for containing and guiding the strips, and
yet still retain the characteristic features of my invention.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
improvements in Systems for Controlling and Recording Sales,
Receipts, and like Operations.
I, FREDERIK JACobus Hoffman, Artist, of 2, Chaussée du Pont, Boulogne sur
Seine, France, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
My invention consists, broadly speaking, in a system by which it is rendered
possible to control, and keep. an exact record of all operations such as sales in
stores, and receipts of monies. The system is particularly adapted as a means
for controlling the sums of money received in the cash department of a store,
while simultaneously affording ready; means for controlling and recording the
amounts of the sales made by the individual salesmen of the store. The inven-
tion is, however, not limited to that special application, because it is also capable
of adaptation to all cases generally where it is a question of controlling the
delivery or receipt of goods or other articles.
I will describe the invention as applied to the control of monies received in
the cash department of a store and simultaneously to the recording of the amounts
of the sales made by the individual salesmen of the store.
For convenience of description, the invention is herein described and shown

page_text: as applied to a decimal system as is, for instance, the case with United States
money, but it is evident that it is likewise applicable to the English money
system, without in any way departing substantially from the gist of the invention.
The gist of the invention resides mainly in the employment of several series
of paper strips placed in. a box or case, of which one box is for each salesman
of the particular store. Each strip of each series has printed on it a given
number which is repeated as many times as may be desirable, say one hundred
times, and these like numbers bear consecutive exponents playing the part of
rotation numbers. Each series comprises nine strips, each bearing, repeated
thereon, a given number and an exponent, as already stated, and each strip
has its own number from the 1 inclusive to the 9 inclusive. The series of paper
strips may amount to say six in number, the first of which applies to hundredths
or cents, the second to tenths or dimes, the third to units or dollars, the fourth
to tens of units, the fifth to hundreds of units and the sixth to thousands of
units; there is, however, no limit to this number of series.
Each strip is preferably formed of a narrow band of paper or equivalent
substance wound into a coil and bears, as before mentioned, the repetition of a
given numeral which varies from 1 to 9 inclusive, the said numeral being repeated
say one hundred times and each numeral having its exponent and an indication
of its value.
Let us consider one of the series, say the series of strips belonging to the
units. Each of the same is formed of a paper strip, the first of which will bear a
repetition of the numeral 1 and an exponent, viz.:

page_text: by a fixed wall a". A suitable fastening a¹ secured to the fixed wall all holds
the cover in its closed position. The shape and arrangement of the box shown
in the drawing is, however, immaterial; any other equivalent arrangement may
be employed with advantage.
The strip is formed of a ribbon of paper b, Fig. 7, long enough to receive a
repetition of one given numeral say one hundred times arranged in two parallel
rows and separated by a close ruling or other marking b. At the foot or rather
at the first one of the numerals 7 is printed the particular designation for which
the strip is intended, that. is. to say, it bears one of the following words:
hundredths, tenths,. units, tens, hundreds or thousands, and each numeral is
accompanied by an exponent 62, as shown. By way of illustration, the strip
shown in Fig. 7 is intended to represent "units." The strip, when so prepared,
is severed by an irregular cut through the marking into two halves 63, 64,
Fig. 8, of which one is handed to the salesman, for use in the manner hereinafter
set forth, and the other is kept by a superintendent, who, in case of need or
suspicion, can. at all times control the authenticity of the strips, either in actual
use or already used and disposed of by the different salesmen. Prior to its
being severed, the duplicate strip may be stamped with the date, a rotation
number, the name, or other conventional sign appertaining to the salesman to
whom the one half of the strip is handed. By keeping an account of the quantity
of various strips handed by the superintendent to, the salesmen, the superintendent
can readily calculate and ascertain the amount of sales made within a given time
by any particular salesman, taking into account the amounts represented by the
strips still contained in the box of the said salesman. The reverse side of the
strip b, i.e. the opposite side to that which is printed, is gummed for the purpose
hereinafter set forth.
A suitable number of strips b, cach, having printed on them their particular
designation, viz.: 1) hundredths, tenths, units, tens, hundreds or thousands as
the case may be, 2) a repeated numeral, and 3) an exponent, are rolled up into
a coil of small size, and are respectively placed in proper order into small
compartments.a. Fig. 1. 2, 3 and 5, formed, in the portions a¹, a² of the box, by
longitudinal partitions 14 and transverse partitions. In the instance illus-
trated, the box.is shown wider than is necessary for the reception of the six
series of different rolled up strips 75, so as to leave a vacant space in each
horizontal row. at the left of the apparatus in Fig. 3 and 5, into which a reserve
of strips B may be stored up for use, if desired.
In order to hold the ends of the strips,, and, at the same time, to guide them.
I provide a set of rods, each comprising three rods 66, 67, 68 for each row of
strips b. Each rod is, at one end, bent at right angles, so as to form a handle 69,
by which the rod can be turned and pulled out when required, whilst the opposite
end engages a hole in the wood, wherein it is supported as shown in Fig. 3.
As shown in the drawings, each strip first passes under the first guide-rod 6.
and lies flat against the partition a14, placed at right angles to the partition a¹ and
on top of the rolls, as shown in Fig. 2, then passes also under the second guide-
rod and over the third guide-rod 8, beyond which it projects sufficiently for
enabling the salesman to seize it with the fingers, draw it out to the extent of
one numeral and then tear it off, as hereinafter explained.
On that side of the two portions.a1, a2 of the box whereat the handle 69 projects.
is provided a ledge 10, Fig. 1, 3. and 5, between which and the said portion a², a
are interposed distance pieces 1 61, fastened by means of screws 612 or
otherwise.
In addition to its being supported at both ends, each guide-rod 16 or 78
may be additionally guided by negs 613 driven at suitable intervals into the
partitions a, the head of the said pegs projecting above the guide-rods. The
said partitions are, secured in place by screws a engaging the vertical
partitions 15
..

page_text: The strips corresponding to the units may be separated from those corre-
sponding to the tenths by a vertical bar as held in place over the guide-
rods 6, 7, 68 by screws a19 or otherwise. A similar bar a 20 has been illustrated
as separating the strips corresponding to the hundreds from those corresponding
to the tens. Any other means may be resorted to for distinguishing the series
of strips from each other, as for instance, by means of colors, each series having
its own color.
The bill blank shown in Fig. 9 is composed after the fashion of any bill
as used in stores, except that it is or may be formed of three parts and that one
of these parts is of special design. The bill blank e, a number of which are
contained in the portion a² of the box, see Fig. 1 and 2, is formed of a main
portion e¹, Fig. 9, a detachable stub and a detachable controlling slip ³, the
three parts being detached from each other on the perforated lines et, On
each portion are preferably printed the number or name of the salesman and
the rotation or consecutive number of the bill blank as a whole. The salesman
writes on the portion e¹ the designation and price of the goods sold and he repeats
them upon the detachable stub which is intended to remain in his charge.
whilst the portion e¹ is handed to the purchaser, after it has been receipted at
the cash department or otherwise.
The controlling slip has likewise printed on it the corresponding designation
in respect of salesman and consecutive number and it is, furthermore, divided
into as many divisions as there are series of strips in the apparatus. In each
division is printed a zero in some ink soluble in water, for the purpose hereinafter
explained, and each division bears the same color as that of the strip to which it
corresponds.
The operation is as follows. Assuming that the apparatus has been fitted with
the various series of numbered strips and that no number has as yet been
detached from any strip. Assume also that the bill blanke has not been made
use of. The salesman, on making a sale, the amount of which is supposed to be
78 dollars 60 cents, writes the nature of the goods and that amount on both
portions c¹, 2. after which he tears off the first number 7 of the strip corre-
sponding to the tens and sticks it, its rear face being gummed, into the corre-
sponding division of the tens, he also tears off the first number 8 of the strip
corresponding to the units, also the first number 6 of the strip corresponding
to the tenths and sticks them respectively into their proper divisions. No
number requires to be applied to the section for the hundredths because the
amount does not comprise any hundredths and therefore the zero already printed
on the bill blank will find its use. Fig. 1 shows the respective strips after the
first number thereof has been torn off.
The bill blank being now made up is ready to be dealt with: The stub ² is
detached and retained by the salesman. The main portion or bill proper c¹ is like-
wise detached and handed to the purchaser after having been receipted by the
cashier and the remaining slip is retained by the cash department.
The zero in each division of the controlling slip is preferably printed_in
some ink soluble in water, as hereinbefore stated. in order to detect fraud. For
instance, a cashier, after having handed to him the bill shown in Fig. 1 amount-
ing to $78.60 and after having received that amount. might unpaste say the
number corresponding to the tens so as to make the bill appear so much less in
amount, that fact would be rendered readily visible owing to the color of which
the ink is formed being partly if not entirely carried away by and adhering
to the number removed by the cashier.
The controlling sheet, which each salesman fills up when called upon by the
proprietor of the store to render an account of the sales effected during a given
time, is composed of a blank form shown in Fig. 10. By filling the same up
as hereinafter described, the proprietor is enabled to ascertain at any time, not
only the amount of the sales effected by the various clerks or in certain depart.

page_text: ments of his store, but he can also determine exactly the quantity of unused
strips still remaining in the hands of each clerk..
The controlling sheet & contains, say at the top portion, the name of the
store-keeper, and blanks intended to be filled up for indicating the number of
the sheet, the date and the nuniber of the salesman. On the left portion &, it is
divided into as many columns as there are series of strips, such columns
corresponding, in the present instance, to the thousands, hundreds, tens, units,
tenths and hundredths, an additional column being provided for the nine
numerals (from 1 to 9 inclusive). Each column is itself divided up into
four different heads d, e, 7, 8. In the one the salesman writes the rotation
number which appears on the strip at the time he begins operations. In the
one he writes the rotation number which appears on the strip at the time he
is making up his account. In the one he writes a number corresponding to
the quantity of numbers utilized in the strip and in the one she writes the
respective totals. On the right portion it is likewise divided up for the
purpose of containing a recapitulation as shown.
Assuming a salesman to be called upon to give an account of the sales effected
by him at the time the apparatus has been employed to the extent described so
far, viz. at the times the sales amount to $78.60, he will fill out the controlling
sheet in the following manner. In the first place, he will put a number to the
sheet, the date and his own number or other like designation, after which he
will proceed to fill out the various columns d. In the head of column №3
for the thousands, he will write (on a line with the numeral 1 which designates
the number printed on the strin for the thousands) the exponent number which
appears on the strip for the said thousands, iz: 1, and likewise with reference
to the remaining numerals 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. As none of these strips have
been utilized, the exponents on each will be the numeral 1, see Fig. 1; the
salesman will consequently write that numeral throughout the said head
for the thousands column. He will next fill out the head of the said
thousands column, such head being intended, as herein before stated, to contain
the rotation number appearing at the time on the various strips for the thousands.
As none of these strips have been utilized, the rotation numbers will be the
same as for head and the salesman will consequently write the same numeral 1
throughout the said head do for the thousands. He will then fill out the head di
of the same column 3, such head being intended, as hereinbefore stated, to
contain the number corresponding to the quantity of numbers torn off from the
strips. As no number has been torn off any of the strips for the thousands, the
salesman will write zero, after which he will proceed to write down the total,
which evidently will be nil.
He will afterwards proceed to similarly fill out the remaining heads d³, d,
d, for the column corresponding to the hundreds, tens, units, tenths and
hundredths, the operation being rendered readily apparent from the drawing,
whereby it will be seen that the controlling sheet will show sales to the amount
of $78.60.
The salesman finally proceeds to fill out the right portion of the sheet, as
will be readily understood on examining such portion and the controlling sheet d
being completely filled up is now handed to the storekeeper.
Having now set forth the nature of my invention and the best means I am
acquainted with for carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be distinctly under-
stood that I do not limit myself to the precise details described and illustrated
in the drawings filed with my Provisional Specification, because they may vary
considerably without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance,
as regards the bill blank c and the controlling sheet d, both may be modified
to suit particular conditions or circumstances and yet answer the purpose herein
contemplated to be met. Again, the apparatus itself may vary as to arrangement
and construction, especially as regards the means for containing and guiding
the strips, and yet still retain the characteristic features of my invention,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A system for recording and controlling sales, receipts, deliveries and like
operations, consisting of a series of strips, each of which bears a numeral
repeated without any kind of designation as to value, together with a consecutive
exponent, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. A system for controlling and recording sales, receipts, deliveries and like
operations, consisting of a series of strips, each strip bearing a single numeral
repeated; a decimal designation, as units and multiples or sub-multiples thereof,
and a consecutive exponent, for the purpose of combining, with such single
numerals, figures representing numeric values, substantially as herein. described.
3. A system for controlling and recording sales, receipts, deliveries and like
operations, consisting of a series of strips, each strip bearing a single numeral
repeated and a consecutive exponent, the said strips being differentiated from
each other by different colors, for the purpose of combining with such single
numerals, figures representing numeric values, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
4. In a system for controlling and recording sales, receipts, deliveries and like
operations, the combination with a series of strips, each of which bears a single
numeral repeated, a decimal designation, as units and multiples or sub-multiples
thereof and a consecutive exponent, of a salesman's bill blank containing divisions
to receive numerals severed from said strips, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
5. In a system for controlling and recording sales, receipts, deliveries and like
operations, the combination, with a series of strips, each of which bears a single
numeral repeated, and a consecutive exponent, the said strips being differentiated
from each other by different colors, of a salesman's bill blank containing divisions
intended to receive numerals severed from the said strips, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
6. In a system for controlling and recording sales, receipts, deliveries and like
operations, the combination, with a series of strips, each of which bears a single
numeral repeated, a decimal designation as units and multiples or sub-multiples
thereof and a consecutive exponent, of a salesman's bill blank containing divisions
intended to receive numerals severed from said strips, the divisions of said blank
having marked thereon a zero in some ink soluble in water, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
7. In a system for controlling and recording sales, receipts, deliveries and like
operations, the combination, with a series of strips, each of which bears a single
numeral repeated, and a consecutive exponent, the said strips being differentiated
from each other by different colors, of a salesman's bill blank containing divisions
intended to receive numerals severed from said strips, the divisions of the blank
having marked thereon a zero in some ink soluble in water, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
8. In a system for controlling and recording sales, receipts, deliveries and like
operations, the combination, with a series of strips each of which bears a single
numeral repeated and a consecutive exponent, the said strips being differentiated
from each other by different colors, of a salesman's bill blank containing divisions
intended to receive numerals severed from said strips, the divisions of the said
blank having marked thereon a zero in some ink soluble in water and bearing a
color similar to that, of the corresponding series of strips, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
9. In a system for controlling and recording sales, receipts, deliveries and like
operations, the combination of a casing having a series of compartments formed
therein, a strip or roll in each of said compartments, a single repeated numeral
on each of said strips, and a consecutive exponent for each numeral, substantially
as and for the purpose specified,

page_text: 10. In a system for controlling and recording sales, receipts, deliveries and like
operations, the combination of a casing composed of two sections, one of said
sections containing a series of small compartments and the other section con-
taining a series of small compartments and a larger compartment, a strip or roll
in each of said small compartments, a single repeated numeral on each of said
strips, a consecutive exponent for each numeral and blanks in said larger com-
partment, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
11. In a system for controlling and recording sales, receipts, deliveries and like
operations, the combination of a casing composed of two sections hinged together.
one of said sections containing a series of small compartments and the other
section containing a series of small compartments and a larger one, a strip or roll
in each of said small compartments, a single repeated numeral on each of said
strips, a consecutive exponent for each numeral, and a salesman's blank contain-
ing divisions intended to receive numerals severed from said strips, substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
12. In a system for controlling and recording sales, receipts, deliveries and like
operations, the combination of a casing having a series of separate compartments.
longitudinal and transverse partitions forming said compartments, a second casing
hinged to the aforesaid casing and provided with a series of small compartments
and a larger compartment, longitudinal and transverse partitions forming said
small compartments, a strip or roll in each of said small compartments, a single
repeated numeral on each of said strips, a consecutive exponent for each numeral.
salesman's blanks containing divisions intended to receive numerals severed
from the strips, and guide rods mounted in the casing transversely of the strips,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
13. In a system for controlling and recording sales, receipts, deliveries and like
operations, the combination of a casing having a series of compartments, longi-
tudinal and transverse partitions forming said compartments, a second casing
hinged to the aforesaid casing and provided with a series of small compartments
and a single larger compartment, longitudinal and transverse partitions forming
said small compartments, a strip or roll in each of said small compartments, a
single repeated numeral on each of said strips, a consecutive exponent for each
numeral, salesmen's blanks containing divisions to receive numerals severed
from said strips. guide rods mounted in the casing transversely to the strips, and
hinged covers forming the backs of said casing, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
14. In a system for controlling and recording sales, receipts, deliveries and like
operations, comprising a box a, composed of sections a³, a² connected by hinges a³.
longitudinal and transverse partitions a, a, forming a series of compart-
ments a, a partition, placed at right angles to said longitudinal partitions
a strip or roll in each of the small compartments, guide rods 66, 67, 68 mounted
in the sides of said box transversely to the strips and in contact with the
partitions a, salesman's blanks c contained in the section and provided
with divisions intended to receive numerals severed from the strips, and
covers a, hinged to the back of said sections whereby access may be had to
the strips, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dal in ith lov of January 1000
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.