Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying and staggering envelope contents includes a driven, substantially vertically positioned conveyor belt with an associated conveying slit, through which the envelope contents including documents to be staggered, are moved past an operator. On the side of the envelope contents opposite the conveyor belt (i.e., facing the operator) there is a non-rotary or slowly rotatable delay roller which can be pressed against the document facing it. The delay roller is preferably moved by an electromagnet. The friction between the delay roller and the document facing it is much greater than the friction between the two envelope contents, so that the front document facing the delay roller is decelerated, while the back document is advanced by the conveyor belt until the two documents are staggered. The operator can then detect whether or not there is a document behind the front document, and whether it is correctly oriented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for checking an envelope for contents is provided to determine whether or not an envelope has been completely emptied. The thickness of the envelope is measured at a plurality of points along the envelope. From the measured thickness, the thickness, or an integer multiple of the thickness, of the material of the envelope is determined. The thickness of the envelope measured at the plurality of points is compared with the determined material thickness, or integer multiple of the thickness, of the envelope. On the basis of that comparison, a determination is made as to whether or not the envelope has contents therein. The apparatus and method do not rely on measuring the opacity of the envelope.

Abstract: Envelopes of different dimensions opened on three edges, namely one short edge and two long edges, are fed standing on one of the opened long edges to a removal device, in which both envelope sides (U and V) are deflected to the left and right by approximately 90.degree.. The envelope contents (Z) is conveyed linearly out of the removal device. The removal device is formed by two vertical suction cylinders (25, 26) positioned to the left and right alongside the envelope and which, under sensor control, engage the envelope sides, deflect them by approximately 90.degree. and consequently separate the sides from the envelope contents. The envelope is then ejected at one side, and the unopened short edge at the rear of the envelope assists the linear movement of the contents out of the apparatus. A third cutting or opening mechanism (23) for the lower long edge forms, together with the suction cylinders (25, 26) and the other rotated parts of the removal device, a compact constructional unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the extraction of the contents of envelopes includes a mail opening and extraction assembly which opens an envelope along at least one edge of the envelope and spreads apart the opened envelope to facilitate removal of the contents of the envelope. A power unit provides a source of electricity and fluid pressure, and a supply line couples the mail opening and extraction assembly to the power unit to transfer the electricity and fluid pressure to drive the mail opening and extraction assembly. The mail opening and extraction assembly includes a pivotable extraction surface having a first position substantially flush with a transfer surface and a second position in which the extraction surface is pivoted so as to be at an angle with respect to the transfer surface. The extraction station also includes a vacuum apparatus for spreading apart the envelope to expose the contents of the envelope.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the content from envelopes having two adjacent edges opened by slitting or cutting is equipped with two facing suction devices. At least one suction device is movable perpendicular to the envelope plane for separating the envelope. During the operating phase, one suction device is movable with respect to the other in the envelope plane in order to effect a relative movement between the envelope and the contents of the envelope. This facilitates removal because the envelope held by the suction device is additionally deformed, i.e., given a corrugated configuration by the movement in the envelope plane. As a result, easy removal of the envelope content is possible.