Envelope throat opening mechanism for inserting machine

An envelope throat opening mechanism for an envelope inserting machine having means for storing a plurality of envelopes, means defining an envelope inserting position in spaced relationship with said envelope storing means in which insert material is adapted to be inserted into said envelopes, and means for feeding envelopes seriatim from said storage means to said inserting position, said envelope throat opening mechanism comprising:

• A. a pair of envelope throat opening claw assemblies disposed in said envelope inserting machine adjacent the outer ends of the throat of an envelope in said inserting position, each of said claw assemblies having a claw mounted therein for movement into the throat of said envelope adjacent said outer ends to open said throat to permit insert material to be inserted into said envelope,
• B. an envelope throat opening center tongue assembly disposed in said envelope inserting machine in substantial lateral alignment with the center of the throat of an envelope in said inserting position for opening the center portion of said throat of said envelope positioned in said inserting position, and
• C. means for driving said claw assemblies and said center tongue assembly in a timed sequence with the arrival of said envelope at said envelope inserting position, and with said claw assemblies operating asynchronously with respect to said center tongue assembly to cause said claw assemblies to open said outer ends of said throat prior to said center tongue assembly opening said center portion of said throat,
• whereby said outer ends of said throat are fully opened prior to said center tongue assembly opening said center portion of said tongue to ensure that said center tongue assembly effectively opens said center portion of said throat.