Abstract: Apparatus and method for assisting in the removal of contents from an envelope by cutting an opening in the envelope along a first peripheral edge thereof, gripping the envelope along a second peripheral edge thereof opposite the first peripheral edge, penetrating the envelope with a picker to engage the contents, and moving the picker and the contents engaged by the picker in the direction transverse to the opening while the envelope is gripped and maintained stationary, the envelope being slit as a result of the lateral movement of the picker to permit the lateral movement of the picker and the corresponding movement of the contents engaged by the picker so as to move the contents partially out of the envelope, through the opening therein.