packet departure from the sheet collating tray application_number US 41158803 A description referring now to fig1 7 there is shown a preferred embodiment of a sheet collator the subject collator comprises both hardware and software components and is configured to accept incoming sheets from an input device having at least one stream of sheets separated into individual sheets before entry in the subject collator and to deliver an assembled sheet packet to subsequent desired destinations each incoming sheet has a leading edge that enters the collator first and a trailing edge that enters the collator last the subject collator assembles one or more sheets into a leading edge aligned assembled packet a common type of packet is a billing statement for a particular customer that may comprise a summary sheet and additional detail sheets depending on the instructions delivered by a controlling system computer the leading edge aligned assembled packet is then sent on to post processing equipment such as an envelope inserter and the like specifically the subject collator 5 comprises a sheet collating tray 10 that includes two opposing side frame members 15 and 20 linking the side frame members 15 and 20 are one or more support cross member 25 that adds structural support to the tray 10 and provides anchoring points for drive mechanisms see below the support cross member 25 may be fastened to the side members 15 and 20 by suitable means such as screws bolts welds and.