Patent ID: 7677546

Claim:
A banknote acceptor and dispenser comprising a banknote validator for receiving and validating banknotes; a removable banknote accumulator and dispenser located at one side of said validator and adapted to temporarily receive banknotes for dispensing as change for subsequent transactions; a removable banknote cassette located to a side of said banknote accumulator and dispenser opposite to said validator; said removable banknote cassette and said removable banknote accumulator and dispenser with said validator being releasably maintained in a structural frame and forming a vertical stacked configuration with said banknote accumulator and dispenser located between said validator and said banknote cassette; said banknote validator including a banknote slot on a front side of said banknote acceptor and dispenser for receiving banknotes to be validated; said banknote acceptor and dispenser including a reversible banknote drive path extending through said validator and connecting said banknote slot and an inlet opening to said banknote accumulator and an inlet of said banknote cassette; said reversible banknote drive path at an outlet of said validator including an angled portion extending forwardly towards said front side of said banknote acceptor and dispenser and joining with a first angled segment of said reversible banknote drive path associated with said banknote accumulator and dispenser immediately adjacent said validator outlet; said first angled segment joining with a vertically extending offset segment of said reversible drive path on said front side of said banknote acceptor and dispenser; said offset segment joining with a second angled segment extending away from said front side and leading to said inlet of said banknote cassette; and wherein said banknote accumulator and dispenser has a front face forming one side of said banknote drive path and defining said angled segments and said offset segment.