Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the extraction of the contents of envelopes includes a mail opening and extraction assembly which opens an envelope along at least one edge of the envelope and spreads apart the opened envelope to facilitate removal of the contents of the envelope. A power unit provides a source of electricity and fluid pressure, and a supply line couples the mail opening and extraction assembly to the power unit to transfer the electricity and fluid pressure to drive the mail opening and extraction assembly. The mail opening and extraction assembly includes a pivotable extraction surface having a first position substantially flush with a transfer surface and a second position in which the extraction surface is pivoted so as to be at an angle with respect to the transfer surface. The extraction station also includes a vacuum apparatus for spreading apart the envelope to expose the contents of the envelope.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the content from envelopes having two adjacent edges opened by slitting or cutting is equipped with two facing suction devices. At least one suction device is movable perpendicular to the envelope plane for separating the envelope. During the operating phase, one suction device is movable with respect to the other in the envelope plane in order to effect a relative movement between the envelope and the contents of the envelope. This facilitates removal because the envelope held by the suction device is additionally deformed, i.e., given a corrugated configuration by the movement in the envelope plane. As a result, easy removal of the envelope content is possible.