An envelope opener features a through slot defining a channel that is closed on three sides around an axis of the slot. A blade projects into the channel from a first closed side thereof to an opposing second closed side thereof, and lies in plane spaced from the closed third side of the channel that lies opposite the mouth. The third side of the channel is angled relative to blade, and the cutting edge slopes away from the first closed side of the channel toward the second closed side, whereby the cutting edge is closer to both the second and third sides of the channel at one end thereof than the other. At the other end, a radiused corner is provided between the third side of the channel and an exterior of the tool. A metal insert lines one or more sides of the channel for an improved wear life.

A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. A feeder serially feeds envelope from a stack of mail. Two cutters at a cutting station cuts one or two edges of the envelopes. As the envelopes travel from the feeder to the cutters the envelope is jogged on two edges to justify the contents with the envelopes. Additionally, an improved feeder is provided to reduce the number of jams created when feeding the envelopes from the stack.

This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a system and method for inserting contents into envelopes that generally reduces the number of operative device components, locates all components in a readily and accessible location, reduces the number of adjustments needed to change envelope size and contents size, provides an efficient and aesthetically pleasing design, allows for a highly flexible arrangement of backup hoppers to primary hoppers for feeding envelope contents and otherwise affords a substantial number of improvements over currently available envelope inserters. The illustrative embodiment includes a feed table with a low-slung swing arm for handling contents, a pivoting feed table that exposes the operative components on the underside, a novel raceway belt with projecting lugs for transporting contents to the insertion area, a primary and secondary contents hopper backup system, a mechanism for easily adjusting for different-sized envelopes, and a variety of other novel features.

A combination office supply tool includes an upper member hingedly attached to a lower member, a staple portion located in the upper member, and a hole punch portion including a hole punch extension located on a lower surface of the upper member and projecting towards the lower member. The staple portion includes a staple dispenser for discharging staples towards the lower member and a staple track for urging staples towards the staple dispenser. The hole punch portion includes a hole punch base attached to an upper surface of the lower member for receiving the hole punch extension within an aperture of the hole punch base.

An enclosing device to insert an enclosure into an envelope conveyed to an enclosing position includes an envelope conveyor and an enclosing unit. The envelope conveyor conveys the envelope to the enclosing position. The enclosing unit opens a frontage of the envelope such that the enclosure is inserted into the envelope that has reached the enclosing position and includes an opening amount adjuster to adjust an opening amount of the frontage when the enclosure is inserted into the envelope. The opening amount adjuster adjusts the opening amount, depending on a flap length and a body length. The flap length is a length of a flap of the envelope in a conveyance direction in which the envelope is conveyed to the enclosing position. The body length is a length of a body of the envelope in the conveyance direction.

A method and apparatus for processing mail is provided. A feeder serially feeds envelope from a stack of mail. Two cutters at a cutting station cuts one or two edges of the envelopes. As the envelopes travel from the feeder to the cutters the envelope is jogged on two edges to justify the contents with the envelopes. Additionally, an improved feeder is provided to reduce the number of jams created when feeding the envelopes from the stack.