Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for exposing the contents of a plurality of envelopes for extraction. An opening device is included for opening the plurality of envelopes on at least one edge by removing a predetermined portion thereof and forming opened envelopes. An extraction device is further included in operable communication with the opening device for receiving the opened envelopes and exposing the contents thereof for extraction for subsequent document processing. A control device is further included operably connected to both the opening and extraction devices, so that when the contents are extracted from an opened envelope, a next envelope is opened by the opening device.

Abstract: A stand-alone method and system is provided for processing the contents of a plurality of envelopes, and includes at least an opening device, an image acquisition device and a control device. The opening device opens the envelopes on at least one side forming opened envelopes, thereby exposing the contents thereof for extraction. The image acquisition device is in operable communication with the opening device and is used to acquire an image of the contents and store that image in digital form in a file. Finally, the control device is operably connected to at least the opening device and image acquisition device, whereby when the image of the contents are acquired from one envelope, a next envelope is opened and a new file is created.