Transport and alignment system

A transport and alignment system (20) is provided for handling stacked sheet material (12) on a support deck (24) including first and second belts (26A, 26B) each having a portion thereof disposed parallel to the support deck (24). Each of the belts includes a plurality of spaced-apart fingers (26F) which engage the edges of the stacked sheet material (12) and define a pocket therebetween. The transport and alignment system (20) further includes a drive mechanism for independently driving the first and second belts (26A, 26B) to effect concurrent and relative motion of the fingers (26F). Concurrent motion of the fingers transports the stacked sheet material (12) along the support deck (24) while relative motion of the fingers opposed edges of the stacked sheets of material. The transport and alignment system is described in the context of a stitcher and chassis module of a mailpiece inserter.