Sanitizing apparatus for card exchange

A method for sanitizing a flat card, the method comprising:

• providing an enclosure having a first surface and a having second surface that is on an opposite side of the enclosure from the first surface and an input surface extending between the first surface and second surface, and further having a first insert slot on the input surface configured to accept a flat card intended for sanitizing and return to a first party and a second insert slot on the input surface configured to accept the flat card intended for sanitizing and transfer to a second party;
• sensing insertion of the flat card in the first or second insert slot and providing an insertion signal;
• in response to the insertion signal, energizing an internal transport apparatus to transport the flat card either:
• (i) along a first transport path from the first insert slot to a first output along the first surface of the enclosure;
• or
• (ii) along a second transport path from the second insert slot to a second output along the second surface of the enclosure;
• and
• directing sanitizing radiation to the flat card in conveyance along either the first or second transport path.

An apparatus for exposing a flat card to sanitizing radiant energy, comprising:

• an enclosure that defines:
• (i) a first transport path that is configured to convey the card from a first insert slot to a first output that opens on a first side of the enclosure, and
• (ii) a second transport path that is configured to convey the card from a second insert slot to a second output that opens on a second side of the enclosure that lies opposite the first side of the enclosure;
• an internal exposure chamber within the enclosure and that is common to both the first and the second transport paths, wherein the exposure chamber is configured to direct UV exposure radiation onto opposite surfaces of the inserted flat card as the card is conveyed along either the first or second transport path by a transport drive,
• and
• a sensor that sends an actuation signal to the transport drive upon sensing insertion of the flat card at either the first or the second insert slot.