Improvements in Manifold Writers or Sales Books.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by THOMAS WILLIAM LAWSON, of Cambridge, in the
County of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, United States of America,
manufacturer.]
Improvements in Manifold Writers or Sales Books.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex, 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 said improvements relate to that class of Sales Books which are used as safe-
guards against speculation and embody sale slips accompanied by and used with
manifold or duplicating fabric, and with slips for receiving a fac simile copy of what-
ever inscription may be made by a salesman upon the sale slips.
It has long heen customary to consecutively number these sale slips, and to bind
them in regular book form with alternate slips (for fac simile copies) which are also
consecutively numbered to correspond with their respective sale slips. In thus
binding slips of this kind, the occasional omission of slips from the series is liable to
occur in any book, and this fact enables dishonest salesmen when called to account
for missing slips, not found either in their books, or among their returns, to allege
without fear of positive contradiction that an error must have occurred either in the
numbering or in the assembling and binding of the slips; or in other words that the
particular sales slip book involved was an imperfect one, when received by the sales-
man from his employer, or by the latter from the printer or stationer.
The main object of my present invention is to render it practically impossible for
any such omissions or deficiencies to occur in a sales slip book, and this can only be
done by obviating the assembling and binding of separate slips which is essentially
involved in the use of all prior sale slip books known to me.
zig-
In accomplishing this end have for the first time introduced the feature of actual
continuity between the first and the last of a series of sales slips in a pack or pile,
which is to all intents and purposes in book form. That is to say, instead of having
the pack, pile, or book of slips, composed of separate pieces of paper and essentially
united at one or more edges by means of paste, glue, stitching or fasteners, or other-
wise bound together in book or tablet form, I employ a continuous strip of paper on
which the slips are developed by suitable inscriptions, and I fold said slip in
zag" lines, each fold being between each two slips, or between each duplicate copy
slip and the preceding and succeeding sale slip, so that the series of slips are integral,
and hence no slip or slips can possibly be detached from the interior of the stack or
book without ready detection, and also so that the numbering or lettering or other
means relied upon for securing a visible sequential order, can be applied without
liability of error throughout the series.
The "zig-zag" fold in the series of integral slips enables said slips to be compactly
piled in tablet form or what may be termed book form, but their integral continuity
need not be impaired by such of the well known systems of binding as will not
prevent the ready and consecutive withdrawal of the slips, commencing with the first
of the series, as for instance, thin paper might be pasted to one or two sides of the
pile or stack of slips if desired, without departure from any invention, although I do
not deem such pasting at all necessary.
In their best form my sale slips have integral intervening or alternate slips
interfolded therewith for receiving duplicate copy, but two separate slips of paper of
corresponding length may be employed without departure from certain portions of
my invention, provided the sale slips and copy slips are interfolled so that each copy
slip will be beneath its appropriate sale slip, in regular sequential order.

page_text: While thus obviating the cost of labor in binding, I also economize in stock,
because the quantity of paper used by me in a stack or pile of zig-zag folding sale
slips is limited to the actual surface area required for the slips, whereas heretofore
each sale slip, and each copy slip has been provided with a binding stub. While
the value of the stock thus practically wasted in the stubs of a single book would be
small, it aggregates largely to the manufacturer and constitutes an important item in
the cost of production.
The manner in which the duplicating or manifold fabric is applied to and used
with my "zig-zag" folded slips can be largely varied without departure from certain
portions of my invention, but have for the first time put said fabric into such a form
that while serving its prime purpose as a duplicating medium for duplicating on a
copy slip memoranda entries made on a sale slip as heretofore, it also performs the
important service of a pocket or binder for a stack or pile of slips, and this is of
special value with the consecutive slips as folded by me. This result is accomplished
by having a strip of said fabric which is usually a carbon cloth or carbon paper of
desirable tensile strength and proper width, confined or united at its ends to form a
pocket or loop which is open at least at one end and adapted to receive a pile or stack
of slips end wise, so that said slips will be laterally enclosed and confined in place by
said fabric, and also enable the outer portion of the fabric to be used for duplicating
purposes. This pocket can be formed by securing the ends of the duplicating fabric
to the underside of the last slip of a series of slips, or to a thin cover applied to said
last slip, or to a rigid tablet, whether the latter be single, or hinged so as to constitute
a tablet case; or said pocket may be formed by directly uniting the two ends of the
strip of fabric, and thus provide for rotating it on a stack of slips, and thereby
presenting fresh surfaces for duty or said fabric may have its ends coupled by
elastic bands for enabling the pocket to progressively adapt itself to, and to snugly
embrace the stack of slips, notwithstanding the gradual diminition in the thickness of
the stack incident to the sequential removal of the slips, all of which variations in the
form of a binder will be fully illustrated and hereinafter described in detail. It is to
be understood that it is not new to have duplicating fabric so arranged that it may in
use be made to present fresh surfaces for duty but prior to my invention this has
only been accomplished by means of a complex box or case in which a pile of slips
are placed and mechanically confined, and an endless band of duplicating fabric is
mounted on rollers in said box or case, so as to locate one portion of the fabric over
a portion of the top of the pile of slips, the latter being forced toward the fabric by
means of a back plate between which and several rigid cross bars on the front of the
box said pile is clamped and confined. I not only wholly obviate the necessity for
such a box or case, but I provide for presenting fresh surfaces of the duplicating
fabric by making the latter perform the novel duty of a movable binder, by which the
stack of slips is maintained in a suitably compact form.
Whether my sale slips are to be used with or without a rigid tablet or a hinged
tablet case, it is desirable that each series be accompanied by the usual sales "record
sheet," and therefore I apply a front cover by pasting the same to one end of the last
slip of a series; or I combine said cover with a manilla or other suitable back, and
suitably attach the latter to the last slip of a series, so that said cover may be
utilized as a record sheet, the latter being printed on the inner surface of the front
cover.
For mounting such a stack of slips on a rigid tablet, or in a tablet case, said
tablets are provided as heretofore with a suitable mortice or slit, and the said back is
properly stiffened and formed into a tongue or flap, which will enter said mortise
or slit endwise like a tenon, and thereby properly secure the stack of slips to the
tablet.
Referring to the accompanying drawings
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate respectively in top and edge views a hinged tablet case,
a series of sale slips and copy slips, and the duplicating fabric, the whole being
'
1
L
in hath

page_text: Figure 3 illustrates the same as when a complete sale slip and its copy sup is
distended for detachment.
Figures 4 and 5 in interior plan and longitudinal central section, illustrate the
opened tablet case.
Figures 6, 7, and 8, in top, bottom, and edge views illustrate a complete stack of
slips having a pocket or binder of duplicating fabric, a sales record sheet, and a back
provided with a flap or tongue.
Figure 9 in top and edge views represents an unfolded or distended series of my
sale slips and copy slips in a preferred form.
Figure 10 in top and edge views illustrates an unfolded series of double sale slips
and their copy slips.
Figure 11 illustrates in two views, a tablet provided with an adjustable pocket or
binder of duplicating fabric for the reception of sale slips.
Figure 12 in two views illustrates a detached binder or pocket of duplicating
fabric, provided with elastic bands by which the pocket or binder is made
adjustable.
Figure 13 in two views illustrates a binder or pocket of duplicating fabric, adapted
to present fresh surfaces for duty when it encloses a stack or pile of slips.
Figure 14 illustrates a series of consecutive sale slips, and a series of consecutive
copy slips, both adapted to be folded zig-zag, and to be used with relation to each other,
and with duplicating fabric.
Figure 15 illustrates in several views a strip of integral sale and copy slips, which
is first folded upon itself at its middle, and is then folded zig-zag.
The drawings Figures 1 to 9 inclusive illustrate the main features of my invention
as embodied in a complete stack of slips, mounted in a hinged tablet case, although
certain other constructions of the pocket or binder composed of duplicating or
manifold fabric are illustrated in certain of the other figures, but either of these
pockets or binders can be readily employed in lieu of that shown in Figure 1.
Referring now to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, it is to be understood that the tablet
case A is composed of a rigid or stiff back a, and a front a¹ hinged at a², in the
usual manner by suitable flexible material. The case on the inner face of its back a
has a mortise b, as heretofore employed for receiving an ordinary bound tablet,
provided with a tongue or flap at its back. This mortise can be cheaply provided by
means of a laterally slitted piece of paper, pasted or glued to the tablet, above the
slit, and also at all other points except below the slit, as indicated in dotted lines in
Figure 4, thus providing the mortise which is parallel with the back; as clearly
indicated in Figure 5. This mortise serves in part as a ready means for attaching a
stack or pile of sale and copy slips as will be hereinafter more fully described.
In Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, B denotes the novel pocket or binder, in part
essentially composed of duplicating or manifold fabric which may be either cloth or
suitable paper, treated by any of the well known' methods usually employed for
rendering it suitable for duplicating service. Broadly considered as a part of my
invention it is immaterial how this pocket or binder may be constructed provided
one or more sides thereof serve as the duplicating medium, and also provided it
is open at least at one end to receive a stack or pile of interfolded slips. In its
simplest form, said pocket or binder is illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8, wherein
C denotes the pile or stack of sales and copy slips, and the pocket B is formed
of a strip of duplicating fabric of proper width pasted or otherwise secured at
its ends c to the underside of the pile." As shown in these figures, there is also
attached to said stack or pile of slips a front cover, the inner face of which
serves as a sales record sheet d, printed in suitable form, and a backing d" which
may or may not be integral with said cover. This cover is secured to the bottom
of the stack and extends loosely over the top or end thereof, without 'obstructing
the folded ends of the slips, and the ends c of the duplicating fabric of which the
pocket or binder is composed are folded over this backing, and pasted or glued
thereto. Should such a backing not be used, the ends c could be attached directly
to the underside of the bottom slip of a stack. Now for conveniently mounting

page_text: the stack of slips on a tablet or in a tablet case, the stack at its back is provided
with a flap or tongue e usually composed of paper, doubled and stiffened by glue
or paste, and this tongue serves as a tenon which can be slipped into the mortise
or recess b. This flap or tongue e can if desired be made as wide as the stack or
pile of slips, the slit of the mortise being then of corresponding length, thus
obviating the labor of cutting at each side which is involved in developing the
particular tongue tenon shown.
and
Now referring to Figure 9 it is to be understood that the series of sales slips
copy slips are integrally connected from end to end, and that fifty of each of said
slips, or 100 in all, usually constitute a stack, pile, or book C, and that said slips
are folded zig-zag, or in and out upon themselves, with a fold at every junction of a
sale slip with a copy slip, as clearly indicated by dotted lines. For facilitating the
separation of the slips from each other, perforations or equivalent heavy crease lines
are employed.
In this particular form I employ sale slips f which alternate with copy slips f¹, so
that when folded zig-zag every copy slip underlies its appropriate sale slip, and it will
be seen that the slips of each pair bear the same number; that is to say, the first sale
slip is numbered "1," and so also is its copy slip; the next pair are numbered "2," and
so on throughout the series. It will be seen when the complete book or stack of inter-
folded slips, &c., shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 is held face up in the left hand, or is held
by the same hand after said stack has been placed on a stiff tablet as in Figure 3, that
the first sale slip can be readily placed over the duplicating fabric, thus interposing the
latter between said sale slip, and its underlying copy slip, which is to receive the duplicate
copy of any entry which may be made on the sale slip. After thus completing the entry,
the end of the sale slip is seized by the right hand, and drawn backward, thus not only
releasing the inscribed copy slip from the binder or pocket, but also drawing out
the next sale slip f, and after tearing off the two already used slips, the exposed sale
slip will be turned back as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3, until it lies down
upon the duplicating fabric ready for use like the first, and so on throughout the series.
It must not be understood that the valuable results incident to the use of the " zig-
zag" folded series of integral or continuous slips are dependent upon the use there-
with of duplicating fabric, as a separate element. As for instance in one form of my
sales book, the back of each sales slip is lightly smeared or coated with coloring
matter, which is readily transferable in lines to a copy slip, when subjected to the
pressure and stroke of a pencil applied to a sale slip, and with such a sales hook a
thick stiff sheet of paper or its equivalent is inserted beneath the copy slip for
preventing the manifold copy from extending beyond or below the particular copy
slip on which a duplicate memoranda is desired.
As thus far described it will be seen that no "book binding" operations are involved in
the forming of the stacks or piles of slips, and that the waste of stock heretofore incident
to stubs necessary for binding, is wholly obviated. It will also be seen that the dupli-
cating fabric is so far confined in place as to involve no need of handling it, as is
necessary with the hinged sheets of such fabric heretofore used, and that the portion
of said fabric which is used for duplicating is always maintained in proper position
and in favorable condition for immediate service. For meeting the varied notions of
salesmen in the matter of convenience, I have devised a variety of these pockets or
binders, some of which I will now describe. In Figure 11, the tablet A may be of
the hinged variety already described, but as here shown it has no hinged portion.
This tablet is provided with the mortise before described, and with the binder or
pocket B, but in this instance, the duplicating fabric is secured at its sides to the
top of the face of the tablet by means of two flat springs or clamping pieces g,
which are confined at their ends within suitable slits or mortises in the tablet, and
the duplicating fabric is slipped between said springs and the coincident surface
of the tablet. This construction enables the duplicating fabric to be drawn out at
its ends, as the thickness of the stack of slips decreases, and thereby keeping the
binder in close relations with the remaining portions of the stack down to the
last of the series of slips.

page_text: In Figure 12 the pocket or binder B of duplicating fabric is composed of a
strip of fabric of proper width, and its ends are connected by means of elastic
bands stitched or otherwise united thereto, as clearly shown, so that when the
pocket is placed over a full stack of slips, said bands will be slightly distended, or
sufficiently so to properly tighten the portion of the fabric which is to do duty for
duplicating, and to take up or compensate for the gradual decrease in the thickness
of the stack or pile of slips.
In Figure 13 the pocket or binder B of duplicating fabric is composed of a
band of the fabric of proper width, and of such length as will snugly enclose a full
stack of slips, and enough longer to enable its two ends to be properly joined as
at i. This form of pocket or binder, enables it to be rotated on a stack for presenting
fresh portions thereof for duty.
The feature of constructing the binder wholly or in part of duplicating fabric is
I believe broadly new, whether it be non adjustable or made adjustable for presenting
fresh surfaces for duty, and it should be observed that the last named function is
not wholly dependent upon the particular form illustrated in Figure 13, it being
obvious that the form illustrated in Figure 12, admits of the shifting of the fabric
from side to side in either direction, although not so completely as with the form
shown in Figure 13. It will also be obvious that the same function is present in the
form shown in Figure 11, because the duplicating fabric being in a strip of proper
length, it can readily be shifted in position to and fro.
It will be seen that either of these forms of duplicating binder devised by me
may be used with substantially equal facility with my novel interfolded slips, and also
that their utility is not dependent upon the use therewith of any particular variety
of slip. Now referring back to Figure 9, it is to be understood that I therein show a
form of my novel sale slips which is best adapted for general service in that each
sale slip is followed sequentially by its appropriate copy slip, but it is sometimes
desirable that the sale slips should be duplicated as shown in Figure 10, wherein I
show two sale slips f for each copy slip f¹, the same number being applied to each
pair of said duplicate sale slips, and to the copy slip which is common to both.
To illustrate the variations of arrangement which can be made in these slips, while
preserving the advantages incident to their integral continuity throughout the series,
and to the interfolding feature, I will refer to Figure 14, wherein the sale slips f
are in one continuous strip, and the copy slips f₁ are in another, each series being
consecutively numbered, and the two strips being first connected at their terminals,
and then nterfolded in zig-zag lines as clearly indicated.
In Figure 15, I illustrate still another arrangement of the sales and copy slips, in
which a long strip of paper is first appropriately printed and numbered, and then
folded from its centre upon itself, and then after being thus folded, the two ends are
together folded "zig-zag" as before described. In this form, the numbering is
alternate 1-3-5-&c., from the initial end of the slip, to the middle, and from that
point to the terminal slip of the series the numbering is also alternate, but backward
or reversed, as for instance 4-2. The sale slips f alternate as before with the
copy slips so that when folded as indicated, each copy slip f¹ will underlie its
appropriate sale slip, but considering each half of the folded strip as a separate strip,
the sale slips are alternated consecutively first on one strip and then on the other,
and the same is true of the copy slips. The numbering of the copy slips f'may be
either on the back of the slip, or on the front side on which the sale slip numbers
appear.
Each of these forms of piles or stacks involves a series of sale slips and a series of
copy slips which are interfolded so that each copy slip is beneath its appropriate sale
lip, and each affords the integral continuity throughout a series by which it is
rendered impossible for any but the top slips of a stack to be removed without prompt
detection, and in all of them wasteful stubs are obviated, and each of them can be
conveniently used with duplicating fabric, although the forms shown in Figures 9
and 10 are best suited for use with the duplicating binder or pocket. As, for instance,
with the sale and copy slips arranged as shown in Figure 15, a flap or hinged sheet
"

page_text: of duplicating fabric should be applied at one side of a stack as its bottom, or to one
side of a tablet, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 11, it being understood that
certain portions of any invention are not dependent upon having the duplicating fabric
serve as a binder, it being obvious that even with the form shown in Figures 1 and 2,
the duplicating fabric may be inserted in the form of a sheet, as indicated in
crossed lines in Figure 2, and secured at the hinged portion of the tablet case, or to
the underside of the pile at its end, and be as readily used with each sale slip, as with
the ordinary forms of bound slips now in general use. It will also be seen that either
of the forms of stacks or piles can be used without a tablet, and that each form may
be provided with a tongue or flap for use with a tablet, and with or without a record
sales sheet, and also with or without a special backing or cover. In all of these
forms the sequential order, whether it be continuous or alternate, throughout an
integral series of slips, is absolutely reliable, it being only necessary that reliable
numbering mechanism be employed, it being obvious that the matter of variation in
numbering which is involved in some of the forms described, depends merely upon
an appropriate organization of and mode of operating the numbering mechanism.
In referring to the integral character of the series of sale slips and copy slips, it is
to be understood that I do not mean to exclude the joining of the ends of long strips
of paper prior to printing and numbering, which is sometimes desirable for securing
the uninterrupted operation of the machines employed for printing, numbering, and
perforating.
Many other variations and modifications of various portions of my sales book have
been devised by me, but those illustrated and described are believed to be ample for
the purposes of this specification. It is also believed that persons skilled in such
matters will readily perceive the value of my improvements, and from my disclosures
be readily enabled to make such variations in from and arrangement as may be
deemed by them best suited for use in connection with any particular lines of. trade.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
1st. A pocket or binder for use in connection with slips for sales memoranda and
for duplicate copies thereof, composed at least in part of duplicating fabric, which is
relied upon for confining said slips in position convenient for service, and which also
serves as a duplicating medium, substantially as described.
2nd. In a manifold sales book, the combination as hereinbefore described, of a stack
or pile of zig-zag folded slips for sales memoranda, and for duplicate copies thereof,
and a fabric which constitutes the front of a pocket or binder for said pile or stack,
and also serves as the duplicating medium, whereby said folded slips are maintained in
compact form, and the duplicating fabric maintained in position for convenient use in
making duplicate copies.
3rd. In a manifold sales book, the combination substantially as hereinbefore
described, of a stack or pile of integrally connected sales slips and their appropriate
copy slips and duplicating fabric which is adjustably arranged with relation to said
stack, to operate as a binding medium and enable fresh surfaces of said fabric to be
presented for duty between any pair of said slips.
4th. The combination substantially as herein before described, of a series of zig-zag
folding sales slips, and a series of slips for fac simile copies, interfolded, and each
copy slip arranged with relation to its proper sale slip for receiving a duplicate of
any memoranda made upon said sale slip.
5th. In a manifold sales book a series of zig-zag folded sale slips, -consecutively
and integrally connected with a series of alternating slips for receiving fac simile
copies of entries made upon said sale slips, substantially as described.
.
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.