Abstract: In a mailing machine where an envelope feeder is used to feed envelopes one at a time into a mail inserter and an insert feeder is used to move insert material into the envelope in the mail inserter for mail insertion, a suction cup assembly having two suction cups is used to keep the throat of the envelope in the mail inserter open. Each suction cup is movably mounted on an air actuated holder so as to allow the suction cup to move up and down to open the envelope throat. The suction cup assembly is movably mounted on a mounting stand in the mail feeder at a pivot so that the suction assembly can be rotated at the pivot so as to deflect the suction cups further away from the insert feeder if a jam involving the insert material or the envelope occurs.

Abstract: In a mailing machine, having a removable postage meter with a rotatable printing drum and printing die there is an inking apparatus included with the mailing machine. The inking apparatus has a ink supply cartridge which engages an ink transfer roller mounted in a frame of the inking apparatus. A cam member operatively associated with the transfer roller prevent ink contamination of the postage meter when the meter is installed or withdrawn from the mailing machine.