Abstract: An apparatus for inserting planar articles into packages having mouths, the apparatus comprising a bed to support a package; an opener to open the mouth of a package; a pusher to push a planar article along an article path into the package when the opener has operated, The pusher comprises a guide adapted to engage in the package mouth while guiding the article to ensure a free path for the article as it is moved into the package. The guide has a generally V-shaped configuration with side walls splayed out from an apex to an open side, and wherein the guide is mounted with the apex substantially facing the bed and the open side substantially facing the pusher, said open side providing an open slot in the article path for receiving and guiding an article and the apex being configured to enter a package mouth as an article is pushed into a package to assist separation of the leaves of a package as they guide an article.

Abstract: A system for processing an envelope containing contents has stations for opening envelopes, and a checking station for checking contents of envelopes. The opening station comprises a cutter and a drive mechanism to separately cut opposed leaves of the envelope. The cutter comprises a wheel for cutting through each of the leaves, and the drive mechanism rotates the wheel and causes it to traverse across the envelope. There is a separate wheel for each envelope leaf and the drive mechanism simultaneously drives the wheels to cut both leaves simultaneously. The cutter comprises a separator for drawing the leaves away from each other so that they are separated from the contents during cutting. The separator comprises at least one suction cup for engaging the leaf and drawing it away from the plane of the contents; and there are opposed suction cups. The separator simultaneously draws the leaves in opposing directions away from the contents.