Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus for storing a plurality of sheets is disclosed having a storage chamber having a first transverse dimension, a platform located within the storage chamber for storing a plurality of sheets in a substantially vertical stack thereon, a feeder for feeding a top sheet from the stack, and means for moving the platform upwards to hold the stack in operative contact with the feeder, wherein the platform comprises a support portion having a second transverse dimension which is less than the first transverse dimension, for allowing sheets stacked on the platform to droop below the support portion in at least one overhanging region.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding sheets one-at-a-time along a path is disclosed having: means for storing a plurality of sheets; a feeder/separator comprising feeding means for engaging the sheets and feeding them from the means for storing and a separator for engaging sheets fed by the feeding means to thereby feed single ones of the sheets one-at-a-time along the path whilst remaining sheets not being fed along the path are halted by the separator; and a clearance mechanism for engaging said remaining sheets and removing them from the separator region in a sheet clearance process.

Abstract: An inserter system for inserting folded sheets into an envelope providing at least one sheet feeding station for feeding individual sheets and an accumulation station in communication with the at least one sheet feeding station having a curved paper path wherein individual sheets are fed into the curved paper path from the at least one sheet feeding station and are accumulated therewithin. A folding station is in communication with the accumulation station for receiving an accumulation of sheets from the curved paper path for folding the accumulation of sheets.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening an envelope having a front panel, a back panel and a closing flap. The apparatus includes: a device for supporting the envelope in a substantially horizontal plane wherein the back panel is situated above the front panel; a device for holding the closing flap below the back panel; an opening horn for separating the back panel from the front panel, the opening horn being pivotable in a vertical plane; and a device for causing the horn to initially contact the closing flap and to pivot the horn into the envelope between the front and back panels, and to raise the horn inside the envelope, whereby the front and back panels are separated.