Abstract: An improved envelope opener comprising first, second and third shear stations for shearing three edges of an envelope in sequence one edge at a time. Each shear station sequentially aligns the envelope by contacting the edge to be sheared, shears the contacted edge, and then releases the envelope. Each shear station includes a self-sharpening and self-aligning anvil assembly comprising a pivotable anvil which is spring-urged to an adjustable home position. The home position of the anvil is adjusted by means of a rotatable eccentric stop. During a shearing operation, the anvil is pivoted away from and then back towards the home position. An overly thick envelope will keep the anvil pivoted away from the home position to avoid a jam condition at the shear station. A peel back station downstream of the last shear station peels back the top panel of the envelope to expose the contents thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing batchs of remittance and transaction documents by operating an encoder in accordance with a program stored in memory. A central processor unit sequentially generates a plurality of groups of data signals in accordance with the program. A card or document reader reads information stored on a transaction document and transmits the information through a card reader interface to the central processor unit. A switch control interface senses the states of a plurality of switches indicative of control and endorsement information and transmits the information to the central processor unit. A display interface causes a display to display numeric and control information stored on the transaction document in response to one of the groups of central processor unit data signals.