Abstract: Disclosed herein is an envelope opening apparatus, preferably for use in an inserter (210). The envelope opening apparatus comprises means (54) for locating an envelope, having rear and front panels (116, 118) and a flap (64) hinged to the front panel, in a waiting position with its flap in an open position in substantially the same plane as its front panel, and means (60, 62, 68, 70) operable for forming a step-like deformation in the flap, so as to cause the rear panel (116) to separate from the front panel (118).

Abstract: An inserter is disclosed having an insertion station and a feeding mechanism for feeding an envelope to the insertion station with the bottom edge of the envelope leading and the envelope flap in an open position and trailing, envelope opening mechanism at the insertion station and sheet feeding mechanism. A sensor detects the leading edge of the envelope as it is fed to the insertion station and, in response, causes the envelope opening mechanism to open the envelope after its arrival at the insertion station. The sensor also detects whether the envelope flap, when the envelope is waiting at the insertion station, is not in its open position and, when this is the case, it terminates operation of the envelope feeding mechanism and sheet feeding mechanism for the next envelope and sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening an envelope having a front panel, a back panel and a closing flap. The apparatus includes: a device for supporting the envelope in a substantially horizontal plane wherein the back panel is situated above the front panel; a pair of pivotable paddles located beneath the closing flap and the front panel, each of the paddles having an interior end and an exterior end; a pair of pivotable, hold-down fingers located above and spaced from the pivotable paddles; a device for rotating the interior ends of the paddles downward; and a device for pivoting the hold-down fingers into engagement with the paddles when the ends of the paddles are rotated downward, whereby the front and back panels of the envelope is caused to separate.