Patent ID: 8092143

Claim:
A pneumatic card transport system comprising a) a card passageway assembly comprising a conveying duct with a first end and a second end to allow the transfer of a card therebetween; b) at least one main nozzle attached to said card passageway assembly proximate said first end; each said main nozzle having a main inlet to receive pressurized air and a main outlet coupled to said conveying duct; said main nozzle positioned to eject air from said outlet towards said second end in a direction that forms a first obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said conveying duct; c) at least one auxiliary nozzle attached to said card passageway assembly proximate said first end and opposite said at least one main nozzle; each said auxiliary nozzle having an auxiliary inlet to receive pressurized air and an auxiliary outlet coupled to said conveying duct; said auxiliary nozzle positioned to eject air from said auxiliary outlet towards said second end in a direction that forms a second obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said conveying duct; said second obtuse angle being reflective of said first obtuse angle; and d) at least one cushion nozzle attached to the bottom of said conveying duct; each said cushion nozzle having a cushion inlet to receive pressurized air and a cushion outlet to eject air towards said second end at an angle that forms a third obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said conveying duct; the upper inner wall of said conveying duct above said at least one cushion nozzle being a continuous surface with no perforation; so that pressurized air from the main outlet exerts translational force on one side of the planar surface of said card and pressurized air from said auxiliary outlet exerts translational force on the opposite side of the planar surface of said card to cause said card to travel from said first end to said second end; and pressurized air from said cushion outlet exerts a translation force and an up-lifting force on said card to cause said card to float inside said conveying duct during said transfer when said system is in operation.