Abstract: A billing statement system comprising a billing statement having a plurality of sheets or pages of multiple lengths or which are otherwise of multiple sizes and/or shapes. The billing statement preferably comprises a plurality of sheets wherein at least one sheet is of different, generally larger, size than the other sheets, and in which the larger sheet has a first region with a consumer's mailing address on one side and a provider's mailing address on the reverse side, and a second region which contains detail or summary information on the charges due. The billing statement system includes a collator apparatus for collating billing statements having a plurality of sheets of multiple lengths, and a folder apparatus for folding collated billing statements having a plurality of sheets of multiple lengths.

Abstract: A folding apparatus for folding a plurality of sheets of multiple lengths such as mail statements, which includes a plurality of folder rollers, one or more folder gates, and a kicking plate associated with one of the folder gates. An input transport system provides statements to the folder rollers, and an exit transport system receives folded statements therefrom. A system controller monitors movement of statements through the folder rollers and folder gates of the apparatus by a plurality of sensors, and directs operation of the kicker gate at the appropriate time to push or eject the folded statements from the folder rollers. The action of the kicker plate prevents undesirable folding of the tips of shorter sheets in the statement while folding the longer sheet or sheets of the statement.

Abstract: A billing statement system comprising a billing statement having a plurality of sheets or pages of multiple lengths or which are otherwise of multiple sizes and/or shapes. The billing statement preferably comprises a plurality of sheets wherein at least one sheet is of different, generally larger, size than the other sheets, and in which the larger sheet has a first region with a consumer's mailing address on one side and a provider's mailing address on the reverse side, and a second region which contains detail or summary information on the charges due. The billing statement system includes a collator apparatus for collating billing statements having a plurality of sheets of multiple lengths, and a folder apparatus for folding collated billing statements having a plurality of sheets of multiple lengths.

Abstract: A collating apparatus for collation of a plurality of pages or sheets having varying lengths or widths. A plurality of sheets of different lengths are provided to a collating tray with a stopper adjacent one end. The leading edge of each of the plurality of sheets registers against the stopper. When all of sheets have entered the collator tray and registered against the stopper, a plurality of pinch rollers are brought together on the front or leading edge of the stack of sheets, removing the stack of sheets from the collating tray.

Abstract: For use with a mailing packet assembling apparatus that creates a mailing packet from items comprised of machine readable indicia encoded forms and machine readable indicia encoded envelopes that are transferred into the assembling apparatus, a verification system for determining that the correct items are transferred for assembly into the mailing packet. The system has a data base with information on the items within the mailing packet, thereby establishing which forms and envelopes are required in the assembled mailing packet, a plurality of dynamically controlled detectors for identifying the indicia on each form and on each envelope, and a computer for verifying that the data base information and the dynamically detected form and envelope indicia correctly correspond or do not correctly correspond to the desired mailing packet and, if correct, direct the mailing packet to be assembled.

Abstract: A collating system for producing a plurality of document packets with each document packet having at least one page has a database containing requisite information for forming each of the document packets and a computer controller for accessing the database for the requisite information to produce each of the document packets. A multi-tray collator creates each of the document packets as directed by the computer. A plurality of inputting mechanisms feeds pages into the trays of the collator and an outputting mechanism transfers each of the document packets created by the collator to a subsequent processor.