Abstract: A system for enabling X-ray films, of the type primarily used in the dental and medical fields, to be handled in daylight for exposure to X-rays. The system utilizes identical film sheets emulsion coated on one or both faces, each sheet having a notch, displaced from the sheet center line, formed in one edge thereof. A stack of sheets is packed in an opaque envelope with the sheets being alternated so that all of the notches lie along a common stack edge arranged in two parallel rows, the notches in adjacent sheets lying in different rows. The system includes a light tight dispenser which receives the envelope and is capable of being operated to strip the envelope from the film sheet stack. The dispenser includes a pair of rotatable selector cams, each aligned with a different row of notches. A spring mounted back-up plate urges the film sheet stack against the selector cams with the two selector cams respectively bearing against notched and unnotched portions of the top sheet.

Abstract: A table top extractor unit for removing contents from previously opened envelopes which have two panels connected along three side edges comprises a chadless cutter assembly and a vacuum feed mechanism for sequentially feeding envelopes to a transport conveyor which advances each successive envelope into the cutter assembly. The cutter assembly cuts through one panel of the envelope to sever the one panel from the other along opposite connected edges and simultaneously conveys the envelope to a vacuum separator drum located at the front end of the machine. The rotatable drum grips one panel of the envelope and carries the envelope past a stationary deflector or chute which enters between the envelope panels to cause the other panel to be folded back and into a trailing position relative to the one panel allowing the contents of the envelope to drop from juxtaposition between the panels and travel down the chute.

Abstract: An automated envelope opener receives a stack of unopened envelopes of varying sizes, types and shapes, and feeds these envelopes individually to a cutting station. An edge of each envelope is automatically aligned with a reference surface, whereby each such aligned envelope edge can be cut at the cutting station by a rotating multi-toothed cutter and stationary anvil which are also aligned with the reference surface. In a preferred embodiment, means are additionally provided for shingling and stacking the envelopes after they have been cut open.