Machine for extracting contents from envelopes

A machine for extracting contents from envelopes and presenting the extracted contents to an operator, comprising an input station for holding a stack of envelopes, a cutting station, means for feeding the envelopes one at a time from the input station to the cutting station, means at the cutting station for severing the envelopes along edge portions thereof to provided access to the contents, a separating station, an output chute, means for transporting the envelopes from the cutting station to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes and delivering the contents to the output chute, a normally stationary first conveyor which is positioned beneath the chute for receiving the contents from the separating station, a pick-up station, a second conveyor which operates continuously between the first conveyor and the pick-up station for delivering the contents from the first conveyor to the pick-up station, a sensor for detecting the presence/absence of contents at the pick-up station, and means responsive to the sensor for actuating the first conveyor to deliver contents from successive envelopes to the second conveyor for delivery to the pick-up station upon removal of the contents from the pick-up station.

A machine for extracting contents from envelopes which have been severed along edge portions thereof and presenting the extracted contents to an operator at a work station positioned to one side of the machine, comprising a separating station, means for supplying the severed envelopes to the separating station, means for supplying the severed envelopes to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes, output conveyor means extending laterally from the machine for receiving the contents from the separating station, carrying the contents along a horizontally extending path to the work station, and presenting the contents to the operator at the work station, and drive means for driving said output conveyor means.

A machine for extracting contents from envelopes and presenting the extracted contents to an operator, comprising a separating station, means for supplying envelopes with contents to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes, a normally stationary first conveyor for receiving the contents from the separating station, a pick-up station, a continuously moving second conveyor extending between the first conveyor and the pick-up station for delivering the contents from the first conveyor to the pick-up station, a sensor for detecting the presence/absence of contents at the pick-up station, and means responsive to the sensor for actuating the first conveyor to deliver contents from successive envelopes to the second conveyor for delivery to the pick-up station upon removal of the contents from the pick-up station.

A machine positioned to one side of a work station for extracting contents from envelopes and presenting the contents to an operator at the work station, comprising an input station for holding a stack of envelopes, a cutting station, means for feeding the envelopes one at a time from the input station to the cutting station, means at the cutting station for severing the envelopes along edge portions thereof to provide access to the contents, a separating station, means for transporting the envelopes from the cutting station to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes, an output conveyor mounted in cantilevered fashion on the machine and extending in a horizontal direction toward the work station with no supporting structure beneath the conveyor at the work station, said conveyor having an input end positioned to receive the contents from the separating station and an output end positioned at the work station, and being adapted for carrying the contents to the work station and presenting the contents to the operator at the work station, and drive means for driving said output conveyor.

A machine positioned to one side of a work station for extracting contents from envelopes which have been severed along edge portions thereof and presenting the extracted contents to an operator at the work station, comprising a separating station, means for supplying the severed envelopes to the separating station, means for supplying the severed envelopes to the separating station, means at the separating station for separating the contents from the envelopes, an output conveyor mounted in cantilevered fashion on the machine and extending in a horizontal direction toward the work station with no supporting structure beneath the conveyor at the work station, said conveyor having an input end positioned to receive the contents from the separating station and an output end positioned at the work station, and being adapted for carrying the contents to the work station and presenting the contents to the operator at the work station, and drive means for driving said output conveyor.