Abstract:
A paper storage apparatus for stacking and storing paper in sequence comprising a first discharge roller  21  for discharging paper (check S 1 ) in a specified discharge direction; a paper storage pocket (check storage pocket  12 ) for stacking the paper at a position offset from the specified direction in which the check S 1  is transported by the first discharge roller  21,  a movable first guide member (paper guide  60 ) having a first position disposed at an inclined angle relative to the direction the check S 1  is discharged by the first discharge roller  21,  for guiding the check S 1  into the storage pocket  12,  and a second position displaced from the first position for applying pressure upon the check(s)in the check storage pocket  12  and a movable second guide member (paper shift lever)  40  positioned between the first discharge roller  21  and first guide member (paper guide  60 ) which pivots from a first position in response to the leading edge of the paper to allow the paper to advance into a second position for urging the trailing edge of the paper toward the movable second guide member

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a paper storage apparatus disposed to the discharge section of a paper processing apparatus for collecting paper documents processed in the paper processing apparatus that handles documents for one or both of reading data from the documents and writing data to the documents. The invention also relates to a paper processing apparatus including this paper storage apparatus.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     A paper tray for accumulating processed documents is generally disposed to the paper discharge section of printers and other types of paper processing apparatuses so that papers discharged substantially horizontally from the paper processing apparatus are stacked sequentially on the tray.  
         [0005]     Paper processing apparatuses used to process relatively stiff paper documents such as checks, however, often convey and process the papers in a substantially vertical posture.  
         [0006]     A paper storage apparatus that stacks and stores documents in such a vertical posture is generally configured as shown in  FIG. 17 . This paper storage apparatus  100  has a discharge roller pair  101  and a paper storage unit  102 .  
         [0007]     The discharge roller pair  101  includes a feed roller  101 A and a pressure roller  101 B, and is disposed to the paper discharge section of the paper processing apparatus. This discharge roller pair  101  holds paper S in a substantially vertical posture and conveys the paper S horizontally to the paper storage unit  102 .  
         [0008]     The paper storage unit  102  has a paper storage pocket  103  and a paper guide  104  diagonal to a paper transportation path L 1 . The paper storage pocket  103  is offset laterally to the paper transportation path L 1  for stacking papers S in a substantially vertical posture. The paper guide  104  is disposed at an angle to the paper transportation path L 1  for guiding the papers S into the paper storage pocket  103 .  
         [0009]     Paper S conveyed in a line through the paper transportation path L 1  by the discharge roller pair  101  thus contacts the paper guide  104 , is directed thereby into the paper storage pocket  103 , and is thus stacked in the paper storage pocket  103 .  
         [0010]     A problem with this configuration is that when a folded or wrinkled paper is processed, the fixed paper guide  104  in line with the paper transportation path L 1  may not be sufficient to ensure that the papers are stacked normally in the paper storage pocket  103 . If multiple papers S are discharged in succession and the trailing edge of a first paper S intercedes in the path of the following paper S, the papers S may become entangled or jammed, or the papers S may not be stacked in the order processed. This is particularly a problem when the papers S are checks because checks often become folded or wrinkled during use and handling.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The paper storage apparatus and paper processing apparatus of the present invention can reliably stack papers S in the correct order even when the papers S have been folded or wrinkled.  
         [0012]     The paper storage apparatus according to the present invention comprises a first discharge roller for conveying and discharging paper; a paper storage pocket for stacking the paper at a position offset from the direction in which the first discharge roller discharges paper (the “paper discharge direction”); and a movable first guide member having a first position for guiding the paper into the paper storage pocket with the first position being inclined to the paper discharge direction of the first discharge roller, and having a second position displaced from the paper discharge direction.  
         [0013]     When the leading edge of a paper advanced by the first discharge roller contacts the first guide member in the first position, the paper is guided into the paper storage pocket and stacked in the paper storage pocket. When the paper discharge operation is completed, the first guide member is moved from the first position to the second position, thereby reliably pressing the bundle of paper stacked in the paper storage pocket and preventing the bundle from coming apart.  
         [0014]     The paper storage apparatus preferably includes a movable second guide member positioned between the first discharge roller and first guide member having a first position intersecting the transportation direction of the first discharge roller, and a second position retracted from the transportation direction and disposed to a side on which the paper storage pocket is located for urging the trailing edge of the paper toward the paper storage pocket.  
         [0015]     The second guide member is moved from the second position to the first position each time the trailing edge of the paper is advanced by the first discharge roller so that the trailing edge of the paper can be reliably guided into the paper storage pocket when the leading edge of a succeeding paper is advanced by the first discharge roller. As a result, paper that has been folded or wrinkled can be smoothly stacked in the paper storage pocket without the paper jamming or catching other paper, and the paper can be sequentially stacked in the same order in which the paper was discharged.  
         [0016]     The position of the first and second guide members is preferably changed by means of a linking mechanism according to the position of a first pressure member that is disposed opposite the first discharge roller and is displaceable to a pressure position for pressing the paper to the first discharge roller and a retracted position separated from the discharge roller. The linking mechanism sets the first guide member to the first position and sets the second guide member to the first position when this first pressure member is in the pressure position, and sets the first guide member to the second position and sets the second guide member to the second position when the first pressure member is in the retracted position.  
         [0017]     This linking mechanism comprises a first urging member for urging the first guide member toward the second position; a second urging member for urging the second guide member toward the first position; and a first lever member having a first arm that contacts the first guide member, a second arm that contacts the second guide member, and a pivot center disposed between the first and second arms. The linking mechanism is arranged so that the first guide member is positioned to the first position and the second guide member is positioned to the first position in conjunction with the first lever member pivoting in a first direction; and the first guide member is positioned to the second position and the second guide member is positioned to the second position in conjunction with the first lever member pivoting in a second direction opposite from the first direction.  
         [0018]     The linking mechanism further comprises a second lever member having a third arm that contacts the second arm of the first lever member, a fourth arm linked to an actuator, and a pivot center disposed between the third and fourth arms. This linking mechanism is arranged so that the first pressure member is supported by the third arm, and when the actuator is operated so that (i) when the second lever member pivots in the third direction, the first pressure member is positioned to the pressure position and the first lever member pivots in the first direction, and (ii) when the second lever pivots in a fourth direction opposite the third direction, the first pressure member is positioned to the retracted position and the first lever member pivots in the second direction.  
         [0019]     As a result, displacing the first guide member can be linked to displacing the first pressure member. When paper is discharged, the first guide member is set to the first position to guide the leading edge of paper into the paper storage pocket, and after the paper is discharged, the first guide member is reset from the first position to the second position, thus guiding and holding the trailing portion of the paper in the paper storage pocket.  
         [0020]     Changing the position of the second guide member is linked to displacing the first pressure member and to the paper discharge operation. More specifically, displacing the second guide member from the first position to the second position in resistance to the urging force of the second urging member is enabled by contact with the discharged paper, and displacement from the second position to the first position is enabled by the urging force of the second urging member when the paper is discharged because paper is released and no longer nipped.  
         [0021]     Furthermore, by linking the opening and closing operation of the first pressure member with the displacing operation of the first and second guide members, a single drive source can be used for both operations, and control can be simplified.  
         [0022]     This paper storage apparatus further preferably has a second discharge roller located downstream of the first discharge roller with a plurality of ribs on the outside circumferential surface of the second discharge roller.  
         [0023]     Yet further preferably, a second pressure member is disposed on the second arm of the first lever member, and is positioned opposite the second discharge roller as a result of the first lever member pivoting in the first direction.  
         [0024]     Yet further preferably, the second pressure member has flanges formed to overlap both end portions of the ribs of the second discharge roller when the second pressure member is positioned opposite the second discharge roller.  
         [0025]     Paper can thus be reliably advanced and discharged as a result of the ribs on the second discharge roller pushing on the trailing edge of the paper. Furthermore, the second guide member can reliably move the trailing end portion of the paper released from the discharge roller into the paper storage pocket.  
         [0026]     The paper storage pocket preferably comprises first and second side walls that are mutually opposing and substantially parallel to the paper discharge direction, the second side wall being positioned on the discharge roller side; a bottom wall joining the first and second side walls; and a paper support member disposed between the first and second side walls and urged to the second wall side.  
         [0027]     Paper stacked in the paper storage pocket can thus be held between the paper support member, and the second side wall and the first guide member positioned to the second position. The paper is thus reliably stacked sequentially in the same order in which it was discharged, and the order is thus prevented from changing.  
         [0028]     The paper processing apparatus of the present invention includes a paper storage apparatus as described above, a first transportation path for conveying a first paper; a second transportation path for conveying a second paper; and an opening rendered along the second transportation path for inserting the second paper into the second transportation path. The first discharge roller is disposed to the first transportation path and discharges the first paper conveyed through the first transportation path. The first transportation path and second transportation path overlap substantially perpendicularly in a part thereof near the first discharge roller. When inserting the second paper from the opening, the first pressure member is set to the retracted position, and the first guide member is set to the second position and the second guide member is set to the second position by means of the linking mechanism, to prevent interference with inserting the second paper. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]     Other advantages of the present invention together with a fuller understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:  
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is an oblique overview of a paper processing apparatus having a paper storage apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a schematic plan view showing major parts of the paper processing apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a schematic section view showing the printing device in this paper processing apparatus;  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is an oblique schematic view of the paper storage apparatus in a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the paper storage apparatus when a paper document has been conveyed into the paper discharge unit;  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the paper storage apparatus;  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged oblique view of major parts of the paper storage apparatus;  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged plan view of major parts of the paper storage apparatus;  
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a paper storage apparatus showing a paper is in contact with the paper guide;  
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the paper storage apparatus;  
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged plan view of major parts in the paper storage apparatus shown in  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of the paper storage apparatus when paper is stored in the storage pocket;  
         [0042]      FIG. 13  is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the paper storage apparatus;  
         [0043]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged plan view of the paper storage apparatus;  
         [0044]      FIG. 15A  is a plan view showing the relationship between the second discharge roller and paper pressure unit in the paper storage apparatus;  
         [0045]      FIG. 15B  is a section view through line B-B in  FIG. 15A ;  
         [0046]      FIG. 16A  is a plan view showing the relationship between the second discharge roller and paper pressure unit in the paper storage apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0047]      FIG. 16B  is a side view showing the relationship between the second discharge roller and paper pressure unit in the paper storage apparatus shown in  FIG. 16A ; and  
         [0048]      FIG. 17  is a plan view of a paper storage apparatus typical of the prior art. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0049]     A preferred embodiment of a paper processing apparatus having a paper storage apparatus according to the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures.  
         [0050]     A document processor P (paper processing apparatus) according to this embodiment of the invention is particularly suited to processing checks, and as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , has a paper supply unit  2 , data reader (scanner)  3 , and printer  4  disposed inside a case  1 A of a main unit  1 . A paper storage apparatus (unit)  10  according to the present invention is disposed to the side wall of the discharge section of the main unit  1 .  
         [0051]     The paper storage apparatus  10  includes a discharged paper unit  10 A that can be freely attached to and removed from the case  1 A, and a discharge roller unit  20  rendered in the main unit  1 .  
         [0052]     The paper supply unit  2  is disposed to the entrance part of an U-shaped first transportation path  5 , the data reader  3  is disposed to the middle of the first transportation path  5 , and the printer  4  is disposed to the exit part of the first transportation path  5 .  
         [0053]     As a check S 1  (first paper) delivered from the paper supply unit  2  is conveyed standing on edge in a vertical posture through the first transportation path  5 , the data reader  3  reads data recorded on the check S 1 , and the printer  4  prints to the check as needed. After the check S 1  is processed, it is discharged by the discharge roller unit  20  and stored in the discharged paper unit  10 A. The discharge roller unit  20  delivers the check S 1  horizontally in a vertical posture, and the discharged paper unit  10 A accumulates the discharged checks S 1  with the checks S 1  standing vertically on edge.  
         [0054]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the printer  4  has a print head  70  disposed to the printing position adjacent to the first transportation path  5  and a second transportation path  6  rendered substantially perpendicularly to the first transportation path  5 . The second transportation path  6  is formed between an outside guide  72   a  and an inside guide  72   b , and transports slips S 2  (second paper) such as validation slips that are inserted from a top opening  7  formed in the top of the document processor P. Insertion of a slip S 2  to the second transportation path  6  is detected by a paper detector  75  disposed near the bottom of the second transportation path  6 .  
         [0055]     A drive roller  71   a  and pressure roller  71   b  are disposed in mutual opposition on opposite sides of the second transportation path  6  for conveying a slip S 2  in the vertical direction. The drive roller  71   a  is located below a platen  73  and tension roller  83  further described below. The pressure roller  71   b  is movable by means of an actuator to a transportation position where the pressure roller  71   b  contacts the drive roller  71   a , and a retracted position separated from the drive roller  71   a . When a check S 1  is conveyed through the first transportation path  5 , and when a slip S 2  is inserted from the top opening  7 , the pressure roller  71   b  is in the retracted position.  
         [0056]     When a slip S 2  is inserted from the top opening  7  to the second transportation path  6  and is detected by the paper detector  75 , the pressure roller  71  b is moved from the retracted position to the transportation position, thus holding the slip S 2  between the pressure roller  71   b  and drive roller  71   a . The drive roller  71   a  is then turned to convey the slip S 2  upwardly to the top opening  7 . The slip S 2  is printed by the print head  70  during this time and then discharged from the top opening  7 .  
         [0057]     The printer  4  also has a roll paper transportation mechanism including a drive roller  81  for conveying roll paper R vertically, a pressure roller  82  for pressing the roll paper R to the drive roller  81 , and the tension roller  83  for applying specific tension to the roll paper R. The roll paper R transportation path shares part of the second transportation path  6 , and similarly to the second transportation path  6  conveys the roll paper R substantially perpendicularly to the first transportation path  5 . Roll paper R is held in a roll paper compartment  9 , is printed by the print head  70  while conveyed through the roll paper transportation path, and is discharged from a roll paper exit  8 .  
         [0058]     As shown in  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6 , a check storage pocket (paper storage pocket)  12  is disposed to a frame  11  of the discharged paper unit  10 A at a position offset laterally to a paper transportation path (direction) L 2  of the discharge roller unit  20 . This check storage pocket  12  is for stacking the checks S 1  sequentially delivered from the discharge roller unit  20  with the checks standing vertically on edge. The check storage pocket  12  has a bottom  12 A (bottom wall) and two side walls  12 B,  12 C.  
         [0059]     A pressure member  15  (paper support member) is disposed inside the check storage pocket  12 . The bottom portion of the pressure member  15  is supported rotatably and the pressure member  15  is urged by a torsion spring (elastic member) not shown from one side wall  12 C (first wall) to the other side wall  12 B (second wall). The position of the pressure member  15  is thus adjustable according to the volume of checks S 1  in the check storage pocket  12 .  
         [0060]     The side walls  12 B,  12 C are parallel to the paper transportation path L 2  with one side wall  12 B located near the paper transportation path L 2  and the other side wall  12 C located farther away from the paper transportation path L 2 . The side wall  12 B that is near the paper transportation path L 2  is present only downstream of a paper guide  60  (described below) in the transportation direction, and is thus not present in the area near the discharge roller unit  20 . More specifically, the paper guide  60  is rendered at a position separated some distance from the discharge area of the discharge roller unit  20 , and the side wall  12 B is located only on the downstream side of the paper guide  60  in the transportation direction. The other side wall  12 C extends substantially to the same position as the discharge area of the discharge roller unit  20 .  
         [0061]     Four hooks  11 F are formed at one end of the frame  11  of the discharged paper unit  10 A. The discharged paper unit  10 A is assembled to the main unit  1  by engaging these four hooks  11 F with matching holes (not shown) in the main unit  1 . When the discharged paper unit  10 A is mounted to the main unit  1 , the mechanical part of the discharged paper unit  10 A is combined with the discharge roller unit  20  of the main unit  1 .  
         [0062]     The discharge roller unit  20  includes a first discharge roller  21  and a second discharge roller  22 . Operation of the first discharge roller  21  and second discharge roller  22 , which rotate synchronously in the paper transportation direction, is linked to the operation of other parts of the main unit  1 .  
         [0063]     The second discharge roller  22  is located downstream in the paper transportation direction from the first discharge roller  21 , and as further described below conveys the check S 1  by means of ribs  22   a  protruding from the outside roller surface pushing the trailing edge of the check S 1 .  
         [0064]     The discharge roller unit  20  also has a pressure roller  23  (first pressure member) disposed opposite the first discharge roller  21 . This pressure roller  23  presses a check S 1  to the first discharge roller  21 , and is axially supported to rotate freely on a first pressure lever  24  (second lever member).  
         [0065]     When seen in a plan view, the first pressure lever  24  is substantially L-shaped with two arms  24   b ,  24   c . A pin  25  at the elbow  24   a  supports the first pressure lever  24  pivotally within a horizontal plane to the frame of the main unit  1 . The first arm  24   b  and second arm  24   c  extend from the elbow  24   a  in substantially mutually perpendicular directions, the first arm  24   b  rendered substantially parallel to the paper transportation path L 2  with the distal end thereof pointing downstream in the transportation direction, and the second arm  24   c  rendered with the distal end thereof substantially perpendicular to the paper transportation path L 2 .  
         [0066]     The pressure roller  23  is rotatably disposed to the middle portion of the first arm  24   b , and the operating end of a solenoid  26  (actuator) for driving the first pressure lever  24  is linked to the middle portion of the second arm  24   c . A first spring  27  is engaged with the distal end of the second arm  24   c . This first spring  27  rotationally urges the first pressure lever  24  in the direction causing the pressure roller  23  to contact the first discharge roller  21 .  
         [0067]     The force of this first spring  27  thus normally rotationally urges the first pressure lever  24 , causing the pressure roller  23  to apply pressure to the first discharge roller  21 . When the solenoid  26  is energized and operated, the solenoid  26  causes the first pressure lever  24  to rotate in the opposite direction in opposition to the force of the first spring  27 , thereby separating the pressure roller  23  from the first discharge roller  21 .  
         [0068]     It should be noted that this position in which the force of the first spring  27  causes the pressure roller  23  to press against the first discharge roller  21  is the transportation state enabling the first discharge roller  21  to discharge a check S 1  through the paper transportation path L 2 . This relationship between the first discharge roller  21  and pressure roller  23  is referred to below as the “closed” position or state.  
         [0069]     In addition, the state in which the operating force of the solenoid  26  separates the pressure roller  23  from the first discharge roller  21  is the open (retracted) position in which the slip S 2  can be freely inserted to and removed from the discharge roller unit  20  from the top opening  7 . This relationship between the first discharge roller  21  and pressure roller  23  is referred to below as the “open” position or state.  
         [0070]     This solenoid  26  and the first pressure lever  24  for transferring the drive force of the solenoid  26  to the pressure roller  23  together form a release mechanism  28 . This release mechanism  28  switches the discharge roller unit  20  and a paper shift lever  40  further described below from the transportation position enabling discharging a check S 1  to the open position where the slip S 2  can be inserted or removed.  
         [0071]     Because the first discharge roller  21  and pressure roller  23  are mutually separated in this open position, there is no constraining force acting on a check S 1  even if a check S 1  is positioned between the rollers  21 ,  23 .  
         [0072]     As shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , a second pressure lever  30  (first lever member) cooperating with the second discharge roller  22 , and the paper shift lever  40  (second guide member) for pushing and urging the trailing edge of the check S 1  to the check storage pocket  12 , are provided in the discharged paper unit  10 A between the paper guide  60  (first guide member) and discharge roller unit  20 . The second pressure lever  30  and paper shift lever  40  are housed in a space enclosed by external case  13 , and are axially supported to move circularly within a horizontal plane.  
         [0073]     Furthermore, a notch  14  (see  FIG. 5 ) positioned in line with the paper transportation path L 2  is rendered at the border between the side wall  12 B of the check storage pocket  12  and the external case  13  so that horizontally long slips S 2  (that is, long in the direction parallel to the first transportation path  5 ) can be inserted from the top opening  7  to the second transportation path  6 .  
         [0074]     The second pressure lever  30  is substantially V-shaped when seen in plan view with first and second arms  30   a ,  30   b  (except that the first arm in the claims is  30   b  and the second arm in the claims is  30   a ), and is supported on the frame  11  of the discharged paper unit  10 A by a pin  33  at the elbow  30   c  of the V, thus enabling the second pressure lever  30  to rock in a horizontal plane.  
         [0075]     The first arm  30   a  extends toward the second discharge roller  22 . A paper presser  31  (second pressure member) for pressing a check S 1  to the second discharge roller  22  is disposed at the rocking (distal) end of the first arm  30   a . The second arm  30   b  extends so as to engage a rocking lever  61  of the paper guide  60  in order to move the paper guide  60  circularly.  
         [0076]     Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the first arm  30   a  is a rectangular block of a specific width heightwise to the transportation direction of the check S 1 , and is rendered so as to hold a check S 1  on the paper transportation path L 2 . The second arm  30   b  is a thin plate formed to not interfere with a check S 1 , and is located below the bottom  12 A of the check storage pocket  12 .  
         [0077]     The paper shift lever  40  is substantially L-shaped in plan view, and is mounted on the frame  11  of the discharged paper unit  10 A rotatably through a horizontal plane by means of a pin  41  disposed substantially opposite the second discharge roller  22 . The paper shift lever  40  can thus pivot so that the distal end  40   a  of the paper shift lever  40  protrudes toward the check storage pocket  12  and closes the paper transportation path L 2 , or is retracted from the paper transportation path L 2 .  
         [0078]     An engagement pin  43  and mating receiving portion  34  are disposed to the paper shift lever  40  and the second pressure lever  30  respectively. When the second pressure lever  30  is in the closed position (the paper presser  31  is positioned proximally to the second discharge roller  22 ), the engagement pin  43  and receiving portion  34  function to restrict the range of rotation of the paper shift lever  40  toward the second discharge roller  22 , and to move the paper shift lever  40  to the open position (where the distal end  40   a  is retracted from the paper transportation path L 2  as shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 ) when the second pressure lever  30  pivots to the open position (the paper presser  31  is separated from the second discharge roller  22 ).  
         [0079]     A spring catch  42  is disposed near the pin  41  of the paper shift lever  40 . A second spring  44  (second urging member) engaged between the spring catch  42  and frame  11  rotationally urges the distal end  40   a  of the paper shift lever  40  toward the check storage pocket  12  so as to close the paper transportation path L 2 .  
         [0080]     The spring constant of the second spring  44  rendered as an elastic urging member to urge the paper shift lever  40  toward the check storage pocket  12  is set so that the paper shift lever  40  will pivot in the direction in which the distal end  40   a  retracts from the paper transportation path L 2  when the paper shift lever  40  is pushed by the leading edge of a check S 1  held and conveyed by the first discharge roller  21  and pressure roller  23  of the discharge roller unit  20 .  
         [0081]     When the leading edge of a check S 1  conveyed from the discharge roller unit  20  thus pushes against the paper shift lever  40 , the paper shift lever  40  retracts in resistance to the force of the second spring  44  to a position allowing the check S 1  to advance passed the paper shift lever  40 . When the trailing edge of the check S 1  is released by the discharge roller unit  20  and the check S 1  is thus pushed by the force of the second spring  44  into the check storage pocket  12 .  
         [0082]     The distal end  24   d  of the first arm  24   b  of the first pressure lever  24 , which is pivotally urged by the first spring  27 , also presses against the back receiving part  32  of the first arm  30   a  of the second pressure lever  30 .  
         [0083]     The force of first spring  27  is thus transferred through the first pressure lever  24  to the second pressure lever  30 , and this force causes the second pressure lever  30  to rotate to the closed position. The directions in which the first pressure lever  24 , second pressure lever  30 , and paper shift lever  40  are rotationally urged by the first spring  27  and second spring  44  are indicated by arrows Y 1 , Y 2 , and Y 3  in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0084]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the paper guide  60  can move between a guide position where the paper guide  60  diagonally intersects the paper transportation path L 2  of a check S 1  conveyed by the discharge roller unit  20 , and an open position where the paper guide  60  does not intercede in the paper transportation path L 2  of the check S 1 . When the paper guide  60  is in the open position, the paper guide  60  is set to a pressure position where pressure can be applied to checks S 1  stacked in the check storage pocket  12 .  
         [0085]     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the paper guide  60  rises up from the pivoting end side of the rocking lever  61  disposed below the bottom  12 A. The rocking lever  61  is supported pivotally through a horizontal plane on the frame  11  by a pin  62 , and is thus supported movably between the guide position described above and an open position (pressure position). To appropriately regulate the range of circular movement of the rocking lever  61 , a pin  64  that slidably engages a curved channel  63  in the rocking lever  61  projects from the frame  11 .  
         [0086]     When the paper guide  60  moves to the guide position, the paper guide  60  diagonally intercepts the paper transportation path L 2  and thus functions to guide a check S 1  into the check storage pocket  12  when the leading edge of a check S 1  advanced from the discharge roller unit  20  contacts the paper guide  60 .  
         [0087]     After the check S 1  discharge operation is completed, the paper guide  60  pivots from the guide position to the open position, and thus functions to press the checks S 1  stacked in the check storage pocket  12  to the side wall  12 C (pressure member  15 ) side.  
         [0088]     A third spring  65  (first urging member) forming a paper guide moving mechanism is disposed between the rocking lever  61  and frame  11  to drive the paper guide  60 . This third spring  65  rotationally urges the rocking lever  61  in the direction of arrow Y 4  in  FIG. 8 , that is, in the direction displacing the paper guide  60  from the guide position to the open position, thereby returning the rocking lever  61  to the check guide position in resistance to the force of the third spring  65  as a result of the distal end of the second arm  30   b  of the second pressure lever  30  engaging the engaging part  66  of the rocking lever  61 . The position of the paper guide  60  thus changes according to the rotational position of the second pressure lever  30 .  
         [0089]     When the solenoid  26  is energized and operated to turn the first pressure lever  24  counterclockwise (opposite arrow Y 1 ) in this paper storage apparatus  10 , the second pressure lever  30  turns clockwise (opposite arrow Y 2 ) as a result of the force of the third spring  65  applied thereto by the intervening rocking lever  61 , and the receiving portion  34  of the pivoting second pressure lever  30  rotationally urges the paper shift lever  40  counterclockwise (opposite arrow Y 3 ) by way of intervening engagement pin  43 .  
         [0090]     As a result of this operation of the paper storage apparatus  10 , the pressure roller  23  separates from the first discharge roller  21  and the paper presser  31  separates from the second discharge roller  22  as shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 , the distal end  40   a  of the paper shift lever  40  retracts from the paper transportation path L 2 , and the paper guide  60  simultaneously moves from the guide position to the open position. The notch  14  thus opens, and the paper transportation path L 2  is opened in a straight path.  
         [0091]     Operation of the paper presser  31  and second discharge roller  22  is described next with reference to  FIG. 15A  and  FIG. 15B .  
         [0092]     As shown in  FIG. 15A , a plurality of ribs  22   a  is disposed with a specific interval therebetween in the circumferential direction on the rotational surface of the second discharge roller  22 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 15B , a pair of vertically separated pressure walls  31   a,    31   b  project from the end of the paper presser  31  so that when the paper presser  31  is in the paper pressing position (the second pressure lever  30  is in the closed position), the ribs  22   a  on the outside of the second discharge roller  22  fit between the upper and lower pressure walls  31   a ,  31   b . The check S 1  is thus held between the ends of the upper and lower pressure walls  31   a,    31   b  and the outside edge of the ribs  22   a , and the check S 1  can be conveyed while curved between the pressure walls  31   a,    31   b  as shown in  FIG. 15B .  
         [0093]     When the trailing edge of the check S 1  reaches this area between the pressure walls  31   a ,  31   b  and is then released by the ribs  22   a , the check S 1  returns to the straight posture. As shown in  FIG. 15A , the trailing edge of the check S 1  is then caught by the side of a rib  22   a , and the check S 1  is conveyed by the rotating rib  22   a  pushing directly on the trailing edge of the check S 1  rather than by friction.  
         [0094]     Operation of the paper storage apparatus  10  is described next.  
         [0095]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , when a check S 1  is delivered from the discharge roller unit  20 , the leading edge of the check S 1  contacts the side of the paper shift lever  40 .  
         [0096]     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the paper shift lever  40  pushed by the leading edge of the check S 1  pivots counterclockwise as seen in the figure in resistance to the force of the second spring  44 , and retracts to the position allowing the check S 1  to advance.  
         [0097]     The discharge roller unit  20  can thus advance the check S 1  smoothly without interference even though the paper shift lever  40  is disposed in line with the paper transportation path L 2  on the exit side of the discharge roller unit  20 .  
         [0098]     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the leading edge of the check S 1  contacts the paper guide  60  diagonally intersecting the paper transportation path L 2 , and the check S 1  is guided into the check storage pocket  12 , which is positioned offset from the paper transportation path L 2 .  
         [0099]     Further, when the trailing edge of the check S 1  conveyed by the discharge roller unit  20  is released from the discharge roller unit  20 , the check S 1  is no longer supported (nipped) by the discharge roller unit  20 . As a result, the paper shift lever  40  is pivoted clockwise as seen in the figure by the force of the second spring  44 , and the trailing edge of the check S 1  is urged into the check storage pocket  12 . Because the trailing edge of the check S 1  is pushed by the ribs  22   a  of the second discharge roller  22  at this time, after the trailing edge advances to a position completely freed from the discharge roller unit  20 , the check S 1  is urged to the check storage pocket  12  side by the distal end  40   a  of the paper shift lever  40 .  
         [0100]     Because this urging by the paper shift lever  40  repeats each time a check S 1  is advanced by the discharge roller unit  20 , when the leading edge of the next check S 1  is advanced by the discharge roller unit  20 , the trailing edge of the previous check S 1  will not remain in the path of the next check S 1  and will therefore not interfere with the advancement of the next check S 1 .  
         [0101]     Therefore, even if a check is somewhat folded or wrinkled, successive checks can be collected smoothly in the check storage pocket  12  without becoming tangled or jammed, and the order of the stacked checks will not change from order in which the checks were processed.  
         [0102]     Furthermore, by energizing and driving the solenoid  26  when discharging a check S 1  is completed, the first pressure lever  24  can be pivoted counterclockwise as shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 , and the discharge roller unit  20  will be opened.  
         [0103]     The second pressure lever  30  thus turns clockwise as a result of the force of the third spring  65  received through intervening rocking lever  61 , and the receiving portion  34  of the pivoted second pressure lever  30  rotationally urges the paper shift lever  40  counterclockwise by way of engagement pin  43 . The paper shift lever  40  therefore also moves to the retracted position. The paper guide  60  also moves from the check guide position to the open position as a result of the rocking lever  61  being rotationally urged counterclockwise by the force of the third spring  65 . The bundle of checks S 1  collected in the check storage pocket  12  is then held firmly together and prevented from separating by the pressure member  15 , paper guide  60 , and side wall  12 B.  
         [0104]     Furthermore, by changing the discharge roller unit  20 , paper shift lever  40 , and paper guide  60  to the open position, a wide slip S 2  can be inserted from the top opening  7  to the second transportation path  6  without interference from the discharge roller unit  20 , paper shift lever  40 , or paper guide  60 .  
         [0105]     In addition, because the operation of the release mechanism  28  changing the discharge roller unit  20  and paper shift lever  40  to the open position is linked to the movement of the paper guide  60 , all members (specifically  24 ,  30 ,  40 , and  60 ) can be operated using only one solenoid  26  on the main unit  1  side.  
         [0106]     A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying figures, but the invention shall not be limited to the foregoing embodiment and can be varied in many ways without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims based on the accompanying claims, the detailed description of the invention, and the literature.  
         [0107]     For example, a paper presser  31  is disposed to the pivoting distal end of the first arm  30   a  of the second pressure lever  30  in order to urge checks S 1  to the second discharge roller  22  in the foregoing embodiment, but the invention shall not be so limited as the same effect can be achieved by means of a paper pressure roller  35  disposed freely rotationally on the distal end of the first arm  30   a  of the second pressure lever  30  as shown in  FIG. 16A  and  FIG. 16B .  
         [0108]     This paper pressure roller  35  has a pair of flanges  35   a ,  35   b  on opposite ends of a cylindrical roller. When the paper pressure roller  35  is in the paper pressing position (the second pressure lever  30  is in the closed position), the ribs  22   a  of the second discharge roller  22  fit between the flanges  35   a ,  35   b . By holding a check S 1  between the pair of flanges  35   a ,  35   b  and the distal edge of the ribs  22   a , a check S 1  can be conveyed while held deformed between the flanges  35   a ,  35   b  as indicated by the imaginary line in  FIG. 16B .  
         [0109]     When the trailing edge of the check S 1  reaches this position and is released from being pressed between the flanges  35   a ,  35   b  by the ribs  22   a , the check S 1  recovers from this deformed position to the normal straight position. The trailing edge of the check S 1  is then caught by the side of the rib  22   a  as shown in  FIG. 16A , and the check S 1  can be conveyed by the rotating rib  22   a  pushing directly on the trailing edge of the check S 1  rather than by friction.  
         [0110]     By thus using a freely rotating paper pressure roller  35  to press the check S 1  to the second discharge roller  22 , less torque is required to stably convey a check S 1  when compared with a stationary paper presser  31  applying pressure to the check SI because the loss of transportation force due to friction with the check S 1  is less.  
         [0111]     Furthermore, the paper storage apparatus  10  has been described in the foregoing embodiment using a paper guide moving mechanism for moving the paper guide  60  between a paper guide position and a paper pressure position, and a paper shift lever  40  that operates simultaneously linked to the operation of the paper guide  60 . The invention shall not be so limited, however, as only one of the paper guide moving mechanism and paper shift lever could be provided.  
         [0112]     Furthermore, a paper storage apparatus  10  is described in the foregoing embodiment as rendered in a document processor P having both a data reader  3  and a printer  4 , but this paper storage apparatus  10  could be rendered to a facsimile, photocopier, or other type of paper processing apparatus.  
         [0113]     Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, unless they depart therefrom.