Open banknote path system

1. An open banknote path system, the system comprising:

a first banknote path plate and a second banknote path plate coupled to a frame, wherein the first banknote path plate and the second banknote path plate are disposed a distance apart;

a banknote path disposed in a space between the first banknote path plate and the second banknote path plate, wherein a first side of a width of the banknote path and a second side of the width of the banknote path each open to an area wider than a central portion of the banknote path, wherein the width of the banknote path is perpendicular to a banknote travel direction; and

a plurality of rollers each coupled to one of the first banknote path plate and the second banknote path plate, wherein each one of the plurality of rollers forms a pinch point with another one of the plurality of rollers.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first banknote path plate is disposed parallel to the second banknote path plate.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first banknote path plate and the second banknote path plate each include a first angled end and a second angled end, wherein each of the first angled end and the second angled end of each of the first banknote path plate and the second banknote path plate extend obliquely from the central portion of the banknote path.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the banknote path includes outer portions adjacent to each side of the central portion, wherein each of the outer portions is defined by a space disposed between the first angled end of the first banknote path plate and the first angled end of the second banknote path plate, or between the second angled end of the first banknote path plate and the second angled end of the second banknote path plate, and wherein each of the outer portions includes the area wider than the central portion of the banknote path.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein each pinch point is operable to allow left and right side edges of a banknote to protrude from each pinch point and into the area wider than the central portion of the banknote path.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of rollers includes a shaft disposed between a first wheel and a second wheel.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the first wheel and the second wheel of each of the plurality of rollers are disposed external to a width of the first banknote path plate and the second banknote path plate.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein each pinch point is arranged in a series along the first banknote path plate and the second banknote path plate.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of rollers are operable to receive a banknote and to pass the banknote from one pinch point to a next pinch point in the series.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein each pinch point is operable to allow left and right side edges of the banknote to protrude from each pinch point and into an open area of the open banknote path system.

11. A currency handling apparatus, comprising:

a chassis;

a banknote validator coupled to the chassis;

a first banknote path plate and a second banknote path plate each coupled to the chassis, wherein the first banknote path plate and the second banknote path plate are disposed a distance apart;

a banknote path disposed in a space between the first banknote path plate and the second banknote path plate, wherein a first side of a width of the banknote path and a second side of the width of the banknote path each open to an area wider than a central portion of the banknote path, wherein the width of the banknote path is perpendicular to a banknote travel direction; and

a plurality of rollers each coupled to one of the first banknote path plate and the second banknote path plate, wherein each one of the plurality of rollers forms a banknote pinch point with another one of the plurality of rollers.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first banknote path plate is disposed parallel to the second banknote path plate.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first banknote path plate and the second banknote path plate each include a first angled end and a second angled end, wherein each of the first angled end and the second angled end of each of the first banknote path plate and the second banknote path plate extend obliquely from the central portion of the banknote path.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the banknote path includes outer portions adjacent to each side of the central portion, wherein each of the outer portions is defined by a space disposed between the first angled end of the first banknote path plate and the first angled end of the second banknote path plate, or between the second angled end of the first banknote path plate and the second angled end of the second banknote path plate, and wherein each of the outer portions includes the area wider than the central portion of the banknote path.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein each pinch point is operable to allow left and right side edges of a banknote to protrude from each pinch point and into the area wider than the central portion of the banknote path.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein each one of the plurality of rollers includes a shaft disposed between a first wheel and a second wheel.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the first wheel and the second wheel of each of the plurality of rollers are disposed external to a width of the first banknote path plate and the second banknote path plate.

18. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein each pinch point is arranged in a series along the first banknote path plate and the second banknote path plate.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of rollers are operable to receive a banknote and to pass the banknote from one pinch point to a next pinch point in the series.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein each pinch point is operable to allow left and right side edges of the banknote to protrude from each pinch point and into an open area of the currency handling apparatus.

21. A currency handling apparatus, comprising:

a banknote path configured to transport banknotes, the banknote path including:

an inlet;

at least one set of rollers;

a center area in which at least a portion of a banknote is transported;

at least one side area disposed adjacent the center area; and

wherein the at least one side area of a width of the banknote path includes a larger area than the center area of the banknote path, wherein the width of the banknote path is perpendicular to a banknote travel direction.

22. A banknote path comprising:

an inlet;

at least one set of rollers configured to pull a banknote through the banknote path; and

an upper plate and a lower plate, wherein a distance between the upper plate and the lower plate at a first point along a width of the banknote path is greater than a distance between the upper plate and the lower plate at a second point along the width of the banknote path, wherein the width of the banknote path is perpendicular to a banknote travel direction.