Patent ID: 7669852

Claim:
An apparatus for providing a plurality of randomly arranged playing cards comprising: a card delivery and separation unit having a support body; a substantially planar card traveling surface defined within the support body configured for receiving and supporting one or more cards thereon; a lowered powered belt mounted within the support body and extending adjacently along a section of the card traveling surface, wherein the belt is positioned to contact cards received by the card traveling surface and transport the cards; upper and lower powered rollers mounted within the support body and positioned adjacent to the card traveling surface to engage a card transported by the powered belt by contact with opposing sides of the card, wherein the upper and lower powered rollers operate to propel the card from the card delivery and separation unit; and a card collection tray mounted adjacent to the card delivery and separation unit and configured for receiving the card propelled by the upper and lower powered rollers, wherein the card traveling surface includes a sloped portion configured to facilitate guiding cards into contact with the lower powered belt and wherein the lowered powered belt deactivates upon a card being engaged by the upper and lower powered rollers and reactivates upon the card being received by the card collection tray.