A method for opening an envelope throat of an envelope transported along an envelope channel dependably opens the envelope throat of the envelope during insertion in an inserter. The envelope, in order to open the envelope throat, is first over-pressed against a counter-pressure and then the counter-pressure is released to open the envelope throat, and/or the envelope is over-pressed against the hold-down force that holds the envelope down on an envelope transport, in order to open the envelope throat. For this purpose, an inserter inserts one or more items into an envelope moving along an envelope channel.

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.