Patent Publication Number: US-10783735-B2

Title: Sheet storage apparatus and sheet storage method

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a sheet storage apparatus and a sheet storage method for storing sheets such as banknotes in a storage bag such as a pouch. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     To date, such an apparatus that stores sheets taken in into the apparatus, in a storage bag such as a pouch, has been used as a sheet storage apparatus for storing sheets such as banknotes. As such a sheet storage apparatus, for example, an apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2014-174581 or the like has been conventionally known. According to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2014-174581, for example, such a sheet storage apparatus is used as a part of a cash accounting device installed in a back office region in a store such as a supermarket. The cash accounting device performs dispensing of money as change fund with which a cash settlement device disposed in a front office region is to be replenished, and depositing of money, as proceeds from sales, collected from the cash settlement device. In such a cash accounting device, banknotes to be collected by, for example, a guard of a cash-in-transit company are stored in a storage bag such as a pouch. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a conventional cash settlement device which comprises the sheet storage apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2014-174581 stores banknotes taken in into the apparatus by a taking-in unit and recognized by a recognition unit in a storage bag such as a pouch. When the storage bag such as a pouch is collected by, for example, a guard of a cash-in-transit company, an opening portion of the storage bag is automatically sealed by a sealing unit. Meanwhile, since before, there has been a request for manually inserting sheets such as banknotes or checks directly into the storage bag held by a holding unit in a state where the opening portion of the storage bag is opened, without transporting the sheets through the taking-in unit, a transport unit, and the recognition unit. However, a problem arises that the conventional cash settlement device cannot allow sheets to be additionally stored as described above. 
     The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet storage apparatus and a sheet storage method that can allow sheets to be additionally stored in a storage bag and allow sheets to be taken out from the storage bag in a state where the storage bag is held by a holding unit in such a manner as an opening portion of the storage bag is opened when a predetermined condition is satisfied. 
     A sheet storage apparatus of the present invention includes: a holding unit configured to hold a storage bag in a state where an opening portion of the storage bag is opened or in a state where the opening portion of the storage bag is sealed; a sealing unit configured to seal the opening portion of the storage bag held by the holding unit; a regulation unit configured to selectively regulate access to the storage bag held by the holding unit; and a control unit configured to control the regulation unit so as to allow access to the storage bag held by the holding unit in a state where the opening portion of the storage bag is opened when a predetermined condition is satisfied. 
     The sheet storage apparatus of the present invention may further include: a housing; and a drawer unit in which at least the holding unit is disposed, the drawer unit configured to be drawn outward from the housing, the regulation unit may include a locking unit configured to regulate drawing of the drawer unit to outside of the housing, and the control unit may control the locking unit so as to allow the drawer unit to be drawn to outside of the housing when the predetermined condition is satisfied. 
     The sheet storage apparatus of the present invention may further include: a housing; a drawer unit in which at least the holding unit is disposed, the drawer unit configured to be drawn outward from the housing; and a door provided with the housing, the door configured to be opened when the drawer unit may be drawn outward from the housing, the regulation unit may include a door locking unit configured to lock the door in a closed state, and the control unit may control the door locking unit so as to unlock the door having been in the closed state when the predetermined condition is satisfied. 
     In the sheet storage apparatus of the present invention, the regulation unit may include an opening and closing unit for opening or closing a path between outside of the housing and the opening portion of the storage bag held by the holding unit; and the control unit may control the opening and closing unit so as to open the path between outside of a housing and the opening portion of the storage bag held by the holding unit when the predetermined condition is satisfied. 
     The sheet storage apparatus of the present invention may further include: a taking-in unit configured to take in a sheet into the housing; a transport unit configured to transport the sheet taken in into the housing by the taking-in unit; and a recognition unit configured to recognize the sheet transported by the transport unit, and the control unit may control the regulation unit so as to allow the sheet to be stored into the storage bag held by the holding unit without transporting the sheet through the taking-in unit, the transport unit, and the recognition unit when the predetermined condition is satisfied. 
     In this case, the control unit may determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when an instruction for inserting the sheet in the storage bag held by the holding unit without transporting the sheet through the taking-in unit, the transport unit, and the recognition unit, is inputted. 
     The sheet storage apparatus of the present invention may further include: an instruction unit configured to output the instruction to insert the sheet in the storage bag held by the holding unit without transporting the sheet through the taking-in unit, the transport unit, and the recognition unit, and the instruction to insert the sheet in the storage bag held by the holding unit without transporting the sheet through the taking-in unit, the transport unit, and the recognition unit, may be inputted into the control unit when the instruction unit is operated. 
     The sheet storage apparatus of the present invention may further include: an input unit configured to allow input of information on the sheet to be stored in the storage bag held by the holding unit without transporting the sheet through the taking-in unit, the transport unit, and the recognition unit. 
     In the sheet storage apparatus of the present invention, information on the sheet which is stored into the storage bag held by the holding unit without transporting the sheet through the taking-in unit, the transport unit, and the recognition unit, and information on a sheet which is stored into a storage bag held by the holding unit through the taking-in unit, the transport unit, and the recognition unit, may be managed by the control unit so as to be distinguished from each other. 
     The sheet storage apparatus of the present invention may further include: an authentication unit configured to perform authentication of authority of an operator, and the control unit may determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the authority of the operator authenticated by the authentication unit is a predetermined authority. 
     In the sheet storage apparatus of the present invention, the holding unit may comprise a plurality of holding units, predetermined conditions corresponding to storage bags held by the holding units, respectively, may be set, and for each of the storage bags held by the holding units, the control unit may control the regulation unit so as to allow access to the storage bag held by the holding unit in a state where an opening portion of the storage bag is opened when the predetermined condition corresponding to the storage bag is satisfied. 
     In the sheet storage apparatus of the present invention, when access to the storage bag held by the holding unit is allowed in a state where the opening portion of the storage bag is opened, the sealing unit may seal the opening portion of the storage bag in a manner different from a manner for a case where access to the storage bag is not allowed. 
     A sheet storage method of the present invention performed by a sheet storage apparatus includes: a holding unit configured to hold a storage bag in a state where an opening portion of the storage bag is opened or in a state where the opening portion of the storage bag is sealed; and a sealing unit configured to seal the opening portion of the storage bag held by the holding unit, the sheet storage method including: storing a sheet in the storage bag held by the holding unit in a state where the opening portion of the storage bag is opened while regulating access to the storage bag held by the holding unit; sealing the opening portion of the storage bag held by the holding unit, by the sealing unit, when the storage bag is taken out from the sheet storage apparatus; and allowing access to the storage bag held by the holding unit in a state where the opening portion of the storage bag is opened when a predetermined condition is satisfied. 
     In the sheet storage method of the present invention, the sheet storage apparatus may further include: a taking-in unit configured to take in a sheet into a housing; a transport unit configured to transport the sheet taken in into the housing by the taking-in unit; and a recognition unit configured to recognize the sheet transported by the transport unit, and in storing the sheet in the storage bag held by the holding unit in a state where the opening portion of the storage bag is opened, the sheet may be stored into the storage bag held by the holding unit through the taking-in unit, the transport unit, and the recognition unit, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the sheet may be allowed to be stored into the storage bag held by the holding unit without transporting the sheet through the taking-in unit, the transport unit, and the recognition unit. 
     A money handling machine of the present invention includes: a mounting unit to which a storage bag for storing money is mounted; a sealing unit configured to seal an opening portion of the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit; a recognition unit configured to recognize money to be stored in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit; a setting unit configured to select and set a sealing method of the opening portion of the storage bag from a plurality of sealing methods based on the recognition result by the recognition unit; and a control unit configured to control the sealing unit so as to seal the opening portion of the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit based on the sealing method set by the setting unit. 
     In the money handling machine of the present invention, the sealing unit may include a sealing member for sealing the opening portion of the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit, the setting unit may set a position to be sealed by the sealing member in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit based on the recognition result by the recognition unit as the sealing method of the opening portion of the storage bag, the control unit may control the sealing member of the sealing unit so as to seal the position set by the setting unit in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit. 
     In this case, the sealing member may seal the opening portion of the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit by heat, the storage bag to be mounted to the mounting unit may be provided with a plurality of heat-sensitive light emission layers of different colors, when setting the position to be sealed by the sealing member in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit, the setting unit may select and set the heat-sensitive light emission layer to be sealed by the sealing member among the plurality of heat-sensitive light emission layers provided in the storage bag based on the recognition result by the recognition unit, and the control unit may control the sealing member of the sealing unit so as to seal the heat-sensitive light emission layer set by the setting unit. 
     In the money handling machine of the present invention, a printing member configured to print on the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit is disposed, the setting unit may set a printing content to be printed on the storage bag by the printing member based on the recognition result by the recognition unit as the sealing method of the opening portion of the storage bag, and the control unit may control the printing member to perform printing on the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit based on printing content set by the setting unit. 
     In this case, the printing member may perform printing on a portion sealed by the sealing unit in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit 
     In the money handling machine of the present invention, a marking member for marking the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit may be provided, the setting unit may set content to be marked on the storage bag by the marking member as the sealing method of the opening portion of the storage bag based on the recognition result by the recognition unit, and the control unit may control the marking member so as to perform marking on the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit based on the content to be marked set by the setting unit. 
     In this case, the marking member may perform marking on a portion sealed by the sealing unit in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit. 
     In the money handling machine of the present invention, a cutting member for partially cutting the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit may be provided, the setting unit may set a portion to be cut by the cutting member in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit based on the recognition result by the recognition unit as the sealing method of the opening portion of the storage bag, and the control unit may control the cutting member to cut the portion set by the setting unit in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit. 
     In the money handling machine of the present invention, when the number or a monetary amount of money stored in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit has not been accepted, based on the recognition result by the recognition unit, the setting unit may set the sealing method of the opening portion of the storage bag to be different from the case where the number or a monetary amount of money stored in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit is accepted. 
     Alternatively, the setting unit may set the sealing method of the opening portion of the storage bag corresponding to the number or a monetary amount of money stored in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit based on the recognition result by the recognition unit from the plurality of sealing methods. 
     Alternatively, when the number or a monetary amount of money stored in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit is greater than a predetermined number or a predetermined monetary amount having been preset, based on the recognition result by the recognition unit, the setting unit may set the sealing method of the opening portion of the storage bag to be different from the case where the number or a monetary amount of money stored in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit is less than the predetermined number or the predetermined monetary amount having been preset. 
     Alternatively, the setting unit may set the sealing method of the opening portion of the storage bag corresponding to a denomination of money stored in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit based on the recognition result by the recognition unit from the plurality of sealing methods. 
     In this case, when money of a plurality of denominations is stored in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit, based on the recognition result by the recognition unit, the setting unit may set the sealing method of the opening portion of the storage bag to be different from the case where money of single denomination is stored in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit. 
     Alternatively, when at least one money stored in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit is not genuine money, based on the recognition result by the recognition unit, the setting unit may set the sealing method of the opening portion of the storage bag to be different from the case where all money stored in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit is genuine money. 
     A money handling machine of the present invention includes: a mounting unit to which a storage bag for storing money is mounted; a sealing unit configured to seal an opening portion of the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit; an input unit configured to input information on handling of money; a setting unit configured to select and set a sealing method of the opening portion of the storage bag from a plurality of sealing methods based on information inputted by the input unit; and a control unit configured to control the sealing unit so as to seal the opening portion of the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit based on the sealing method set by the setting unit. 
     In the money handling machine of the present invention, the information on handling of money inputted by the input unit may be one of a date and time when the money is handled, a date and time when the opening portion of the storage bag is sealed by the sealing unit, a person in charge of handling of money, a place where the money handling machine is installed, and information on the following handling step performed next to the money handling machine. 
     A money handling method of the present invention includes: mounting a storage bag for storing money to a mounting unit; recognising money to be stored in the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit by a recognition unit; selecting and setting a sealing method of an opening portion of the storage bag from a plurality of sealing methods based on a recognition result by the recognition unit; and sealing the opening portion of the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit based on the set sealing method. 
     A money handling method of the present invention includes: mounting a storage bag for storing money to a mounting unit; inputting information on handling of money; selecting and setting a sealing method of an opening portion of the storage bag from a plurality of sealing methods based on information inputted by the input unit; and sealing the opening portion of the storage bag mounted to the mounting unit based on the set sealing method. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  schematically illustrates an example of a configuration of a banknote handling machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view showing in detail a configuration of a banknote storage mechanism in the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a configuration of a pair of holding members and the like in the banknote storage mechanism shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a configuration of a banknote storage bag to be held by each holding member in the banknote storage mechanism shown in  FIG. 2  and the like; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an internal structure of a lower assembly of the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 1  as viewed from the direction of arrows A-A; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an internal structure of the lower assembly in the case of the lower assembly in a state shown in  FIG. 5  being drawn forward from the front surface of a housing; 
         FIG. 7  is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 1  and the like; 
         FIG. 8  schematically illustrates an internal structure of a banknote handling machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view showing an example of an operation, performed by a sealing unit, for sealing an opening portion of a banknote storage bag mounted to a mounting unit in the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view showing another example of an operation, performed by the sealing unit, for sealing an opening portion of a banknote storage bag mounted to the mounting unit in the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view showing still another example of an operation, performed by the sealing unit, for sealing an opening portion of a banknote storage bag mounted to the mounting unit in the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view showing still another example of an operation, performed by the sealing unit, for sealing an opening portion of a banknote storage bag mounted to the mounting unit in the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view showing still another example of an operation, performed by the sealing unit, for sealing an opening portion of a banknote storage bag mounted to the mounting unit in the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view showing still another example of an operation, performed by the sealing unit, for sealing an opening portion of a banknote storage bag mounted to the mounting unit in the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a side view showing still another example of an operation, performed by the sealing unit, for sealing an opening portion of a banknote storage bag mounted to the mounting unit in the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a side view showing another example of a structure of a banknote storage bag mounted to a mounting unit in the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a side view showing still another example of a structure of a banknote storage bag mounted to a mounting unit in the banknote handling machine shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view illustrating an outer appearance of a banknote depositing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a side view showing an internal structure of the banknote depositing machine shown in  FIG. 19 ; and 
         FIG. 21  is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the banknote depositing machine shown in  FIG. 19  and the like. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 7  illustrate a banknote handling machine  10  according to the first embodiment. 
     The banknote handling machine  10  according to the present embodiment is disposed in a front office region or a back office region in a store such as a supermarket, in a bank lobby, or inside a bank, in general. The banknote handling machine  10  can perform various handlings such as depositing of banknotes. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment has an almost rectangular-parallelepiped-shaped housing  12 . In  FIG. 1 , the surface, of the housing  12 , on the left side is a front surface (that is, a surface which an operator faces) of the housing  12 . An upper assembly  14  and a lower assembly  16  are stored in the housing  12  and able to be drawn forward (specifically, leftward in  FIG. 1 ) from the front surface of the housing  12 . An inlet unit  20  such as a receptacle which takes in a banknote from the outside into the housing  12  is disposed at the upper portion on the front surface (the upper portion on the left side surface in  FIG. 1 ) of the housing  12  at the upper assembly  14 . Furthermore, an outlet unit  22  for discharging a banknote from the housing  12  to the outside is disposed below the inlet unit  20  on the front surface (the left side surface in  FIG. 1 ) of the housing  12  at the upper assembly  14 . 
     The inlet unit  20  is provided with a banknote feeding mechanism  20   a  for taking in banknotes that are placed in a stacked state in the inlet unit  20  by an operator into the housing  12  one by one. A transport unit  24  for transporting banknotes one by one in the housing  12  is disposed at the upper assembly  14  in the housing  12  of the banknote handling machine  10 , and the banknotes taken in from the inlet unit  20  by the banknote feeding mechanism  20   a  are transported one by one by the transport unit  24 . A recognition unit  26  is disposed in the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26  recognizes a denomination, authenticity, face/back, fitness, new/old series, a transport state of a banknote taken in into the transport unit  24  by the banknote feeding mechanism  20   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the outlet unit  22  is connected to the transport unit  24 , and banknotes transported to the outlet unit  22  from the transport unit  24  are stacked in the outlet unit  22 . The outlet unit  22  can be accessed from the outside of the housing  12 , and an operator is allowed to take out the banknotes stacked in the outlet unit  22  from the front surface of the housing  12 . A stacking wheel  22   a  is disposed at a portion at which the transport unit  24  is connected to the outlet unit  22 , and the stacking wheel  22   a  rotates in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 1 . When a banknote is transported from the transport unit  24  to the outlet unit  22 , the stacking wheel  22   a  rotates in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 1  in a state where the banknote is held between two vanes of the stacking wheel  22   a , whereby the banknote held between the two vanes of the stacking wheel  22   a  can be stacked in the outlet unit  22  in an aligned state. 
     In the upper assembly  14 , a tape-type storage/feeding unit  30  is disposed at the transport unit  24 , and a banknote transported from the transport unit  24  to the storage/feeding unit  30  is stored in the storage/feeding unit  30  and banknotes stored in the storage/feeding unit  30  can be fed out one by one to the transport unit  24 . More specifically, the storage/feeding unit  30  has a drum  30   a  that can perform both forward rotation and reverse rotation, and one end of a pair of band-like tapes  31  is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the drum  30   a . When banknotes are transported from the transport unit  24  to the storage/feeding unit  30 , the band-like tapes  31  allow the banknotes to be wound together with the tapes  31  on the drum  30   a  one by one. Meanwhile, when each tape  31  is wound back from the drum  30   a  by reverse rotation of the drum  30   a , the banknote wound on the drum  30   a  is also released from each tape  31  and fed out to the transport unit  24 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in the present embodiment, the lower assembly  16  has a plurality (for example, two) of banknote storage mechanisms  32  each of which stores banknotes in a banknote storage bag  34  such as a pouch having an opening portion on one side. Each banknote storage mechanism  32  has a pair of holding members  36  that are spaced so as to face each other. The holding members  36  hold two opening portions of the banknote storage bag  34  which are near the opening of the banknote storage bag  34  and face each other. The first holding member  36  (specifically, for example, the holding member  36  on the right side in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) is fixedly positioned, whereas the second holding member  36  (specifically, for example, the holding member  36  on the left side in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) can be moved toward the first holding member  36  that is fixedly positioned. As shown in  FIG. 2 , each holding member  36  is provided with a heating member  38 . After a predetermined number of banknotes are stored in the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  disposed in the banknote storage mechanism  32 , before the banknote storage bag  34  is taken out from the banknote storage mechanism  32 , the second holding member  36  is moved toward the first holding members  36  and the two holding members  36  touch each other. In this state, each heating member  38  heats an opening portion near the opening of the banknote storage bag  34 , whereby the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is heat-sealed (thermally sealed). In the banknote storage mechanism  32 , instead of the second holding member  36  being moved toward the first holding member  36 , both the holding members  36  may be moved toward each other up to the center position, and the holding members  36  may touch each other at the center position. 
     A plurality (two in the example shown in  FIG. 1 ) of diverged transport units  25  corresponding to the banknote storage mechanisms  32 , respectively, diverge from the transport unit  24  in the upper assembly  14 . A banknote diverted from the transport unit  24  to the diverged transport unit  25  is sent from the diverged transport unit  25  to the banknote storage bag  34  mounted to the banknote storage mechanism  32 , and stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . 
     Next, a configuration of the banknote storage mechanism  32  according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 2  is a side view showing in detail the configuration of the banknote storage mechanism  32 .  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a configuration of the pair of holding members  36  and the like in the banknote storage mechanism  32  shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a configuration of the banknote storage bag  34 , such as a pouch, to be held by each holding member  36  in the banknote storage mechanism  32  shown in  FIG. 2  and the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the banknote storage mechanism  32  has: a banknote sending unit  48  for sending a banknote transported from the diverged transport unit  25  of the upper assembly  14  to the lower assembly  16 , to the banknote storage bag  34  held by the pair of holding members  36 ; a temporary storage unit  44  for temporarily storing the banknotes sent by the banknote sending unit  48 ; and a stage  40  on which the bottom portion of the banknote storage bag  34  held by the pair of holding members  36  is placed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the banknote sending unit  48  is constituted by a roller and a belt in combination, and sends banknotes transported from the diverged transport unit  25  of the upper assembly  14  to the lower assembly  16 , one by one, to the temporary storage unit  44 , to stack the banknotes on the temporary storage unit  44 . Furthermore, the temporary storage unit  44  is implemented by a pair of left and right temporary storage units, and each temporary storage unit  44  can rotate about a rotating axis of a shaft  44   a  disposed at the end portion of the temporary storage unit  44  in the downward direction (that is, directions indicated by arrows in  FIG. 2 ). The stage  40  is implemented by a pair of left and right stages. Each stage  40  can be moved in the up-down direction and the left-right direction in  FIG. 2 . A gap is formed between the paired stages  40 . A part of the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  can be extended downward from each stage  40  through the gap. Each stage  40  is driven by a stage driving unit  41  (see  FIG. 7 ) such as an electric actuator. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a heating member  42  is disposed at each stage  40 . Before the banknote storage bag  34  is taken out from the banknote storage mechanism  32 , the first stage  40  (for example, the stage  40  on the left side in  FIG. 2 ) is moved toward the second stage  40  (for example, the stage  40  on the right side in  FIG. 2 ), and the stages  40  touch each other. In this state, each heating member  42  heats a portion, of the banknote storage bag  34 , near the bottom portion thereof, whereby the bottom portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is heat-sealed (thermally sealed). In the banknote storage mechanism  32 , instead of the first stage  40  being moved toward the second stage  40 , both the stages  40  may be moved toward each other up to the center position and touch each other at the center position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a pantograph  37  is disposed at the second holding member  36  on the left side among the pair of left and right holding members  36 , the second holding member  36  on the left side is moved toward the first holding member  36  on the right side by the pantograph  37 , and the holding members  36  touch each other. More specifically, a guide pin  36   p  is disposed at the end portion of the second holding member  36  on the left side, and a frame  36   k  that supports each holding member  36  has a linear long hole  36   q  by which the guide pin  36   p  is guided. The long hole  36   q  extends in the frame  36   k  in the horizontal direction. When the pantograph  37  is extended, the guide pin  36   p  disposed at the second holding member  36  on the left side is guided along the long hole  36   q , whereby the second holding member  36  on the left side is moved toward the first holding member  36  on the right side. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , two pins  36   a  are disposed on the upper surface of each of the paired left and right holding members  36 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , paired protrusions  34   a  each having two holes  34   b  are disposed at portions (that is, the upper end portion of the banknote storage bag  34 ), near the opening portion, of the banknote storage bag  34  to be held by each holding member  36 . When the banknote storage bag  34  is held by the holding members  36 , the pins  36   a  of the holding members  36  pass through the holes  34   b , respectively, disposed in the protrusions  34   a  of the banknote storage bag  34 , whereby the protrusions  34   a  are held by the holding members  36 , respectively. 
     A pressing plate  46  is disposed above the pair of temporary storage units  44 . The pressing plate  46  is provided with a pantograph  47  (see  FIG. 7 , not shown in  FIG. 2 ), and the pantograph  47  extends and contracts in the up-down direction in  FIG. 2 , whereby the pressing plate  46  can be moved in a range indicated by arrows in  FIG. 2  in the up-down direction. As shown in  FIG. 2 , by the pressing plate  46  being thus moved downward, when banknotes temporarily stored on the temporary storage units  44  are stored in the banknote storage bag  34 , the banknotes temporarily stored on the temporary storage units  44  can be pushed toward the banknote storage bag  34 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a one-side aligning lever  39  is disposed below the second holding member  36  on the left side among the pair of holding members  36 , and banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  34  held by the pair of holding members  36  are aligned on one side (specifically, the right side in  FIG. 2 ) in the banknote storage bag  34  by the one-side aligning lever  39 . More specifically, the one-side aligning lever  39  in the state shown in  FIG. 2  is moved rightward by a one-side aligning lever driving unit  39   a  (see  FIG. 7 ) that includes a pantograph, an electric actuator, and the like. 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment, as described above, the upper assembly  14  and the lower assembly  16  are stored in the housing  12  and able to be drawn forward (specifically, leftward in  FIG. 1 ) from the front surface of the housing  12 . An operation for drawing the lower assembly  16  stored in the housing  12 , from the front surface of the housing  12  in the forward direction, will be described with reference to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , a door  12   a  being disposed at the lower portion on the front surface of the housing  12  is opened when the lower assembly  16  is drawn outward from the housing  12 . The banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment includes a door locking unit  64  (see  FIG. 7 ) for locking the door  12   a  in a closed state. In the present embodiment, only a person who has a predetermined authority is allowed to unlock the door locking unit  64  of the door  12   a , and open the door  12   a.    
     When banknotes have been stored the banknote storage bag  34  and before the banknote storage bag  34  of which the opening portion has been heat-sealed (thermally sealed) by the heating member  38  is collected from the banknote handling machine  10 , an operator firstly unlocks the door locking unit  64  of the door  12   a  and opens the door  12   a , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the operator draws the lower assembly  16  forward from the front surface of the housing  12 , whereby the operator is allowed to detach the banknote storage bag  34  from each holding member  36  of the banknote storage mechanism  32 , to collect the banknote storage bag  34  from the lower assembly  16 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment includes a locking unit  62  that regulates drawing of the lower assembly  16  to the outside of the housing  12 . The locking unit  62  is required to regulate drawing of the lower assembly  16  to such that the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  cannot be accessed from the outside of the housing  12 . For example, the locking unit  62  may lock the lower assembly  16  stored in the housing  12  such that the lower assembly  16  keeps being placed in the housing  12 . In a case where the lower assembly  16  is locked in the housing  12  by the locking unit  62 , the lower assembly  16  stored in the housing  12  cannot be drawn forward from the front surface of the housing  12  even if the door  12   a  is opened. 
     In the present embodiment, a regulation unit  60  (see  FIG. 7 ) which selectively regulates access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  includes the locking unit  62  and/or the door locking unit  64  having the above-described structure. The function of the regulation unit  60  will be described below in detail. 
     The banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment has a control unit  50  that controls the components of the banknote handling machine  10 . More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the banknote feeding mechanism  20   a  disposed at the inlet unit  20 , a stacking wheel driving unit  22   b  for driving the stacking wheel  22   a  disposed at the outlet unit  22 , the transport unit  24 , the diverged transport unit  25 , the recognition unit  26 , the storage/feeding unit  30 , the banknote storage mechanism  32  (specifically, the pantograph  37 , the heating member  38 , the one-side aligning lever driving unit  39   a , the stage driving unit  41 , the heating member  42 , the temporary storage unit  44 , the pantograph  47 , and the banknote sending unit  48 ), and the like, are connected to the control unit  50 . A signal representing a result of recognition of a banknote by the recognition unit  26  is transmitted to the control unit  50 , and the control unit  50  controls operations of the components by transmitting an instruction signal to each component of the banknote handling machine  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , an operation/display unit  52 , a card reader  53 , a memory unit  54 , a printing unit  56 , and a communication interface unit  58  are connected to the control unit  50 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the operation/display unit  52  is implemented by, for example, a touch panel disposed on the upper surface of the housing  12 , and the operation/display unit  52  displays information on, for example, a state of handling such as depositing of banknotes in the banknote handling machine  10 , and an inventory amount of banknotes stored in each banknote storage bag  34 . When an operator operates the operation/display unit  52 , various instructions can be provided to the control unit  50 . The card reader  53  reads an ID card of an operator, and thus performs authentication of authority of the operator. The memory unit  54  stores information on, for example, a history of handling such as depositing of banknotes in the banknote handling machine  10 , and an inventory amount of banknotes stored in each banknote storage bag  34 . The printing unit  56  prints, on a receipt or the like, information on, for example, a history of handling such as depositing of banknotes in the banknote handling machine  10  and an inventory amount of banknotes stored in each banknote storage bag  34 . The control unit  50  can transmit a signal to and receive a signal from an external device (specifically, for example, higher-order terminal) disposed separately from the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment, through the communication interface unit  58 . Specifically, the control unit  50  can transmit information stored in the memory unit  54  through the communication interface unit  58  to an external device which is disposed separately from the banknote handling machine  10 . For example, when the banknotes together with the banknote storage bag  34  are collected by, for example, a guard of a cash-in-transit company, the information on the collected banknotes is transmitted from the control unit  50  to, for example, a computer of the cash-in-transit company through the communication interface unit  58 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the regulation unit  60  is connected to the control unit  50 . The regulation unit  60  includes, for example, the locking unit  62  and/or the door locking unit  64 , and selectively regulates access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36 . Specifically, in a case where the regulation unit  60  is the locking unit  62 , the locking unit  62  regulates the access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  because the lower assembly  16  is locked and keeps being placed in the housing  12  by the locking unit  62 . In a case where the regulation unit  60  is the door locking unit  64 , the door locking unit  64  regulates the access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  because the door  12   a  is locked in a closed state by the door locking unit  64 . In the present embodiment, the control unit  50  controls the regulation unit  60  so as to allow access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened when a predetermined condition is satisfied. More specifically, the control unit  50  controls the regulation unit  60  so as to allow the banknotes to be stored directly into the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  without transporting the banknote through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 , when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Specifically, in a case where the regulation unit  60  is the locking unit  62 , when the predetermined condition has been satisfied, the lower assembly  16  stored in the housing  12  is unlocked by the locking unit  62 , and the lower assembly  16  can be drawn forward from the front surface of the housing  12 . In a case where the regulation unit  60  is the door locking unit  64 , when the predetermined condition has been satisfied, the door  12   a  is unlocked by the door locking unit  64 , and can be opened. In the present embodiment, the regulation unit  60  may include both the locking unit  62  and the door locking unit  64 . Alternatively, the regulation unit  60  of the present embodiment may include one of the locking unit  62  or the door locking unit  64 . In the latter case, one of the locking unit  62  or the door locking unit  64  may not be disposed, and only the other thereof may be disposed as the regulation unit  60  in the banknote handling machine  10 . 
     Next, an operation performed by the banknote handling machine  10  described above will be described. The banknote handling machine  10  performs the operation as described below by the control unit  50  controlling the components of the banknote handling machine  10 . 
     Firstly, an operation performed by the banknote handling machine  10  for performing depositing of banknotes will be described. An operator inserts banknotes in the inlet unit  20  and then provides the control unit  50  with an instruction for starting the depositing by using the operation/display unit  52 . Then, the banknotes inserted in the inlet unit  20  are taken in into the housing  12 , one by one, by the banknote feeding mechanism  20   a , and transported one by one by the transport unit  24 . The recognition unit  26  recognizes a denomination, authenticity, face/back, fitness, new/old series, a transport state, and the like of the banknote transported by the transport unit  24 . A banknote recognized as being not normal by the recognition unit  26 , that is, a rejected note is transported to the outlet unit  22  by the transport unit  24 , and stacked in the outlet unit  22 . Thus, the operator is allowed to manually take out the rejected banknotes stacked in the outlet unit  22  from the front surface of the housing  12 , and, for example, insert again the banknotes in the inlet unit  20 . Meanwhile, a banknote recognized as being normal by the recognition unit  26  is transported to the storage/feeding unit  30 , and temporarily stored in the storage/feeding unit  30 . The number of the banknotes for each denomination and the total monetary amount of banknotes temporarily stored in the storage/feeding unit  30  are displayed on the operation/display unit  52 . When the operator confirms the displayed contents, and performs an operation for accepting the depositing, banknotes are fed out one by one from the storage/feeding unit  30  to the transport unit  24 , are diverted from the transport unit  24  to the diverged transport unit  25 , are sent from the diverged transport unit  25  to the banknote storage bag  34 , and are stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . 
     When the banknote storage bag  34  to which banknotes recognized by the recognition unit  26  is to be transported is in a full state or nearly full state, and no more banknotes recognized by the recognition unit  26  can be stored in the banknote storage bag  34 , the storage/feeding unit  30  may store the more banknotes as a storage unit until the full state or the nearly full state is dissolved. Specifically, the banknotes recognized by the recognition unit  26  are transported to the storage/feeding unit  30 , and stored in the storage/feeding unit  30 . The banknote storage bag  34  in the full state or the nearly full state, is taken out from the banknote storage mechanism  32  of the lower assembly  16  by, for example, a guard of a cash-in-transit company, and an empty banknote storage bag  34  is mounted to the banknote storage mechanism  32 . Then, banknotes are fed out one by one from the storage/feeding unit  30  to the transport unit  24 , and transported to the banknote storage bag  34  by the transport unit  24 . 
     Next, an operation of storing a banknote transported from the diverged transport unit  25  of the upper assembly  14  to the lower assembly  16 , in the banknote storage bag  34  held by the pair of holding members  36 , in the banknote storage mechanism  32 , will be described. 
     The banknote transported from the diverged transport unit  25  of the upper assembly  14  to the lower assembly  16  is sent onto the pair of left and right temporary storage units  44  by the banknote sending unit  48 , and stacked on the temporary storage units  44 . When a predetermined number of banknotes are stacked on each temporary storage unit  44 , the each temporary storage unit  44  rotates about the axis of the shaft  44   a  disposed at the end portion in the downward direction (that is, the directions indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 2 ), and the banknotes stacked on the temporary storage units  44  fall from the temporary storage units  44  due to the own weight, and are stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . When banknotes fall from the temporary storage units  44 , and are stored in the banknote storage bag  34 , the stages  40  are moved downward by the stage driving unit  41 , and a storage space for storing the banknotes subsequently sent to the banknote storage bag  34  from the temporary storage units  44  is formed in the banknote storage bag  34 . In the present embodiment, when banknotes are sent into the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  and stored in the banknote storage bag  34 , the control unit  50  controls the pantograph  47  so as to press the banknotes temporarily stored in the temporary storage units  44  into inside of the banknote storage bag  34  by the pressing plate  46 . Thus, when a banknote is left in the temporary storage units  44 , the banknote having been left can be caused to fall from the temporary storage units  44  and stored in the banknote storage bag  34 . 
     After banknotes have been stored in the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36 , and the stages  40  has been moved downward, the control unit  50  may control the pantograph  47  so as to move the pressing plate  46  into the banknote storage bag  34  and press the bottom of the banknote storage bag  34  toward each stage  40  through banknotes stacked in the banknote storage bag  34 . In this case, by the banknotes being pressed into the banknote storage bag  34  by the pressing plate  46 , the banknotes stacked in the banknote storage bag  34  in a stacked state are compressed in the stacking direction, so that the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  in the stacked state can be prevented from collapsing. 
     Next, an operation performed by the banknote handling machine  10  for performing collection of banknotes will be described. When a guard of a cash-in-transit company, or the like collects the banknote storage bag  34  storing banknotes therein, from the banknote handling machine  10 , the guard firstly causes the card reader  53  to read her/his ID card. When the ID card of the guard has been read by the card reader  53  to authenticate the authority of the guard, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  in the banknote storage mechanism  32  is heat-sealed (thermally sealed) by the heating members  38 . After the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  has been sealed, the door  12   a  is unlocked by the door locking unit  64 , or the lower assembly  16  in the housing  12  is unlocked by the locking unit  62 . Thus, the guard opens the door  12   a  as shown in  FIG. 5 , and then draws the lower assembly  16  forward from the front surface of the housing  12  as shown in  FIG. 6 , whereby the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  in the banknote storage mechanism  32  can be taken out and collected from the lower assembly  16 . 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment, banknotes or the like can be inserted directly from outside of the banknote handling machine  10  into the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  of the banknote storage mechanism  32 , or banknotes or the like can be taken out from the banknote storage bag  34  to outside of the banknote handling machine  10  without transporting the banknotes or the like through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 . Specifically, in a case where the banknote storage bag  34  is held by the holding members  36  of the banknote storage mechanism  32  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, a banknote or a sheet (for example, coupon, voucher, check, foreign banknote, and the like which cannot be handled by the upper assembly  14 ) other than a banknote can be stored directly from outside into the banknote storage bag  34  or a banknote or the like can be taken out from the banknote storage bag  34  by opening the door  12   a  disposed at the lower portion on the front surface of the housing  12  as shown in  FIG. 5  and drawing the lower assembly  16  forward from the front surface of the housing  12  as show in  FIG. 6 . 
     More specifically, in the present embodiment, when the control unit  50  determines that a predetermined condition has been satisfied, the regulation unit  60  that includes the locking unit  62  and/or the door locking unit  64  releases the regulation of access to the banknote storage bag  34 , and the guard is allowed the access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  in the banknote storage mechanism  32  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened. As the “predetermined condition”, various conditions are preset. For example, based on authority of an operator (specifically, information, of an ID card of the operator, which is read by the card reader  53 ), external information (specifically, information transmitted from an external device through the communication interface unit  58  to the control unit  50 ), internal information (specifically, information inputted by an operator through the operation/display unit  52 ), whether or not the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  is to be automatically sealed by the heating members  38  is determined. Such an operation will be described below in detail. 
     For example, the control unit  50  determines that the predetermined condition has been satisfied in a case where an instruction to insert a sheet such as a banknote directly into the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  of the banknote storage mechanism  32  without transporting the sheet through the upper assembly  14  is inputted into the control unit  50 . The instruction described above is that an instruction to insert a sheet such as a banknote directly into the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  of the banknote storage mechanism  32  without transporting the sheet through the upper assembly  14  (specifically, the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 ) providing though the operation/display unit  52  by an operator, or a signal relating to an instruction is transmitted from an external device through the communication interface unit  58  to the control unit  50 . Specifically, for example, an additional insertion button is displayed on a standby screen of the operation/display unit  52 , and, when an operator presses the additional insertion button, the instruction to insert a sheet such as a banknote directly into the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  of the banknote storage mechanism  32  without transporting the sheet through the upper assembly  14  is inputted into the control unit  50 . when the control unit  50  determines that the predetermined condition has been satisfied, and the regulation unit  60  that includes the locking unit  62  and/or the door locking unit  64  releases the regulation of access to the banknote storage bag  34 , the operator is allowed to open the door  12   a , and draws the lower assembly  16  forward from the front surface of the housing  12 . Therefore, a banknote or a sheet other than a banknote can be stored directly into the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  in the banknote storage mechanism  32  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened. Thus, when a banknote is to be additionally stored into the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  in the banknote storage mechanism  32  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, or a sheet (specifically, coupon or voucher, check, foreign banknote, and the like), other than a banknote, which cannot be handled by the upper assembly  14  is to be stored in the banknote storage bag  34 , the sheet such as a banknote can be stored into the banknote storage bag  34  without transporting the sheet through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26  of the upper assembly  14 . Meanwhile, when the instruction to insert a sheet such as a banknote directly from outside into the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  of the banknote storage mechanism  32  without transporting the sheet through the upper assembly  14  is not inputted to the control unit  50 , the regulation unit  60  regulates the access to the banknote storage bag  34 , and a sheet such as a banknote cannot be stored directly from outside into the banknote storage bag  34  before the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  is sealed by the heating members  38 . 
     When a sheet such as a banknote is stored directly from outside into the banknote storage bag  34  without transporting the sheet through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26  of the upper assembly  14 , an operator is allowed to input information on the sheet to the operation/display unit  52 . Thus, the control unit  50  can also manage information on the sheet that is stored directly from outside into the banknote storage bag  34  without transporting the sheet through the upper assembly  14 . In this case, information on the sheet that is stored directly from outside into the banknote storage bag  34  without transporting the sheet through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 , and information on banknotes that are stored from outside into the banknote storage bag  34  through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 , are managed, by the control unit  50 , so as to be distinguished from each other. Specifically, the information on a sheet that is stored directly from outside into the banknote storage bag  34  without transporting the sheet through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 , and the information on banknotes stored into the banknote storage bag  34  through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 , are stored in the memory unit  54  so as to be distinguished from each other. Thus, only information on a sheet such as a banknote that is additionally stored into the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  in the banknote storage mechanism  32  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, is displayed on, for example, the operation/display unit  52 , whereby an operator is allowed to know the information. 
     In the present embodiment, in a case where, by the predetermined condition having been satisfied, access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  is allowed in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, an operator is allowed to input into the control unit  50  an instruction to seal the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34 , through the operation/display unit  52 . Thus, until an operator inputs into the control unit  50  an instruction to seal the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34 , a sheet such as a banknote can be stored directly outside into the banknote storage bag  34  without transporting the sheet through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26  of the upper assembly  14 . Furthermore, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, and the access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  is allowed in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, the banknote storage bag  34  can be collected in the condition that the card reader  53  reads an ID card of a guard of a cash-in-transit company to authenticate authority of the guard, and the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  is sealed by each heating member  38 . 
     In the present embodiment, in a case where authority of an operator who is authenticated based on the ID card having been read by the card reader  53  is a predetermined authority (for example, manager, a store manager, or the like of a store), the control unit  50  may determine that the predetermined condition has been satisfied. In this case, when the authority of the operator represents, for example, a manager, a store manager, or the like of the store, such a manager, store manager, or the like is allowed to open the door  12   a  and draw the lower assembly  16  forward from the front surface of the housing  12 . Thus, the manager, store manager, or the like is allowed to insert a banknote or a sheet other than a banknote directly from outside into the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  in the banknote storage mechanism  32  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, or take out a banknote or the like from the banknote storage bag  34  to outside. Meanwhile, in a case where the authority of an operator who is authenticated based on the ID card having been read by the card reader  53  represents an ordinary clerk or the like, the predetermined condition is not satisfied. Therefore, such an ordinary clerk or the like is not allowed to access the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  in the banknote storage mechanism  32  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened. Therefore, removal of a banknote from the banknote storage bag  34  by a malicious clerk or the like can be prevented. 
     In the present embodiment, an operator may input a temporary time-limited password (one time password) to the operation/display unit  52 . In this case, when the time-limited password inputted to the operation/display unit  52  by the operator is correct, the control unit  50  determines that the predetermined condition has been satisfied. In another example, the card reader  53  reads an ID card of each of a plurality of operators, and, when the authorities of the plurality of operators represent a combination of predetermined authorities which have been preset, the control unit  50  may determine that the predetermined condition has been satisfied. Specifically, for example, only when an ID card of each of a manager or store manager of a store and a guard of a cash-in-transit company has been read by the card reader  53 , the control unit  50  may determine that the predetermined condition has been satisfied. In this case, only when a plurality of operators having different authorities operate the banknote handling machine  10 , the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  in the banknote storage mechanism  32  can be accessed in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, and theft can be more effectively prevented. 
     In the present embodiment, in a case where access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  in each banknote storage mechanism  32  is allowed in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is sealed by the heating members  38  in a manner different from a manner for a case where access to the banknote storage bag  34  is not allowed. Specifically, in a case where access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  is allowed in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, when the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is sealed by the heating members  38 , a specific character or mark is formed near a portion at which the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is sealed, or the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is sealed at a plurality of portions. In this case, when a guard of a cash-in-transit company, or the like collects the banknote storage bag  34  from the lower assembly  16  of the banknote handling machine  10 , the guard or the like can easily know that a sheet such as a banknote may have been additionally stored into the banknote storage bag  34  or a banknote may have been taken out from the banknote storage bag  34 . In another example, in a case where an operator inputs, through the operation/display unit  52 , information on a sheet such as a banknote that has been stored directly into the banknote storage bag  34  without transporting the sheet through the upper assembly  14  by access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  being allowed in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, when the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is sealed by the heating members  38 , a character or a mark indicating that a sheet such as a banknote has been stored directly into the banknote storage bag  34  may be formed near a portion at which the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is sealed. 
     When the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is sealed by the heating members  38 , a not-illustrated printing unit may print a code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code near the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34 . In this case, in a case where access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  has been allowed in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, information indicating that access to the banknote storage bag  34  has been allowed may be included in information on the code printed on the banknote storage bag  34 . Alternatively, in a case where an operator inputs, through the operation/display unit  52 , information on a sheet such as a banknote that has been stored directly into the banknote storage bag  34  without transporting the sheet through the upper assembly  14 , information on the sheet stored into the banknote storage bag  34  may be included in information on the code printed on the banknote storage bag  34 . 
     In a case where access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  in the banknote storage mechanisms  32  is allowed in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, when the banknote storage bag  34  of which the opening portion is not sealed by the heating members  38  is detached from the holding members  36 , a warning message may be displayed on the operation/display unit  52  or a warning sound may be outputted. In this case, in a case where access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  is allowed, the banknote storage bag  34  can be prevented from being carried away from the lower assembly  16  by a malicious third party. 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment, the number of the banknote storage mechanisms  32  disposed is two, and the banknote storage bag  34  is held by the holding members  36  in the banknote storage mechanisms  32 . The authority of a store may be allocated to the banknote storage bag  34  corresponding to the first banknote storage mechanism  32 , and the authority of a cash-in-transit company may be allocated to the banknote storage bags  34  corresponding to both the banknote storage mechanisms  32 . In this case, predetermined conditions corresponding to the two banknote storage bags  34 , respectively, held by the holding members  36 , are set. More specifically, in a case where the authority of an operator who is authenticated based on the ID card having been read by the card reader  53  represents, for example, a manager, store manager, or the like of the store, the regulation unit  60  releases the regulation of the access to only the banknote storage bag  34  to which the authority of the store is allocated. Thus, when the manager, store manager, or the like of the store inputs, through the operation/display unit  52 , an instruction for accessing the banknote storage bag  34  to which the authority of the store is allocated, the door  12   a  is opened and the lower assembly  16  is drawn forward from the front surface of the housing  12 , whereby a banknote or the like can be stored directly into the banknote storage bag  34  to which the authority of the store is allocated, or a banknote or the like can be taken out from the banknote storage bag  34 . Thus, the manager, store manager, or the like of the store is allowed to perform depositing of the banknotes taken out from the banknote storage bag  34 , as change fund, into a money change machine installed at a point-of-sale (POS) register, or replenish an automated teller machine (ATM) with the banknotes. In a case where sheets (for example, voucher or check, coupon, or the like) other than banknotes have been stored in the banknote storage bag  34  in the banknote handling machine  10 , the manager, store manager, or the like of the store is allowed to take out such a sheet from the banknote storage bag  34 , and perform visual confirmation. In a case where the authority of an operator who is authenticated based on an ID card having been read by the card reader  53  represents, for example, a manager, store manager, or the like of the store, when the operator inputs, through the operation/display unit  52 , an instruction for accessing the banknote storage bag  34  to which the authority of the store is allocated, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  to which the authority of the cash-in-transit company is allocated is automatically sealed by the heating members  38 . Thus, the manager, store manager, or the like of the store is not allowed to take out banknotes from the banknote storage bag  34  to which the authority of the cash-in-transit company is allocated. 
     In a case where the authority of an operator who is authenticated based on an ID card having been read by the card reader  53  represents, for example, a guard of a cash-in-transit company, the regulation unit  60  releases the regulation of access to all the banknote storage bags  34 . Thus, when the guard of the cash-in-transit company inputs, through the operation/display unit  52 , an instruction for accessing the banknote storage bag  34 , the door  12   a  is opened and the lower assembly  16  is drawn forward from the front surface of the housing  12 , whereby banknotes or the like can be stored directly into all the banknote storage bag  34 , or banknotes or the like can be taken out from all the banknote storage bags  34 . 
     In another aspect, in the lower assembly  16 , the banknote storage bag  34  to which the authority of the store is allocated is disposed on the front surface side, and the banknote storage bag  34  to which the authority of the cash-in-transit company is allocated is disposed on the far side, and, in a case where the authority of an operator who is authenticated based on an ID card having been read by the card reader  53  represents, for example, the manager, store manager, or the like of the store, when the operator inputs, through the operation/display unit  52 , an instruction for accessing the banknote storage bag  34  to which the authority of the store is allocated, only the half portion of the lower assembly  16  may be drawn from the housing  12 . Specifically, among the two banknote storage bags  34  held by the holding members  36 , the banknote storage bag  34  on the front surface side is exposed outside the housing  12 , whereas a position up to which the lower assembly  16  is drawn is regulated by the locking unit  62  such that the banknote storage bag  34  on the far side is left stored in the housing  12 . Thus, when only the half portion of the lower assembly  16  can be drawn from the housing  12 , the operator is allowed to access the banknote storage bag  34  to which the authority of the store is allocated, whereas the operator is not allowed to access the banknote storage bag  34  to which the authority of the cash-in-transit company is allocated. 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment, among the two banknote storage bags  34  disposed in the banknote storage mechanisms  32 , respectively, the authority of the cash-in-transit company may be automatically allocated to the banknote storage bag  34  in which the number of stored banknotes is greater, and the authority of the store may be automatically allocated to the banknote storage bag  34  in which the number of stored banknotes is smaller. In this case, when the authority of an operator who is authenticated based on an ID card having been read by the card reader  53  represents, for example, a manager, store manager, or the like of the store, regulation, the regulation unit  60  releases the regulation of access to only the banknote storage bag  34  in which the number of stored banknotes is smaller. Thus, when the manager, store manager, or the like of the store inputs, through the operation/display unit  52 , an instruction for accessing the banknote storage bag  34  to which the authority of the store is allocated, the door  12   a  is opened and the lower assembly  16  is drawn forward from the front surface of the housing  12 , whereby the banknote storage bag  34  in which the number of stored banknotes is smaller can be accessed. Thus, the manager, store manager, or the like of the store is allowed to insert a sheet (for example, voucher or check, coupon, or the like) other than a banknote directly from outside into the banknote storage bag  34  in which the number of stored banknotes is smaller. 
     The banknote handling machine  10 , according to the present embodiment, having the above-described configuration, includes: the holding members  36  as a holding unit for holding a storage bag in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened or in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is sealed; the heating members  38  as a sealing unit for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36 ; and the regulation unit  60  for selectively regulating access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36 . The control unit  50  controls the regulation unit  60  so as to allow access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Thus, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  is allowed in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, whereby a sheet such as a banknote can be additionally stored into the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, or a banknote can be taken out from the banknote storage bag  34 . 
     More specifically, in a conventional banknote handling machine, when a banknote storage bag such as a pouch is collected by, for example, a guard of a cash-in-transit company, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag is automatically sealed by a sealing unit. Meanwhile, since before, there has been a request for manually inserting a banknote or a sheet such as a check directly into a banknote storage bag held by each holding member in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag is opened, without transporting the banknote or the sheet through an upper assembly such as an inlet unit, a transport unit, and a recognition unit. However, a conventional banknote handling machine has a problem that such additional insertion of a sheet cannot be performed. When, for example, a guard of a cash-in-transit company collects a banknote storage bag such as a pouch, since a service charge is determined per one banknote storage bag, the store wants to maximize the number of banknotes or the like to be stored in the banknote storage bag. However, a conventional banknote handling machine allows only a guard of a cash-in-transit company, or the like to access the banknote storage bag. Therefore, the request of the store for maximizing the number of banknotes to be stored in the banknote storage bag by manually inserting banknotes cannot be satisfied. Meanwhile, in a case where the banknote storage bag is excessively filled with banknotes, when the opening portion of the banknote storage bag is heat-sealed by each heating member, banknotes near the opening portion of the banknote storage bag are held by each heating member, which causes insufficient sealing of the opening portion of the banknote storage bag. Therefore, a guard of a cash-in-transit company, or the like wants to check a banknote storage bag in advance before the opening portion of the banknote storage bag is sealed, and, when the banknote storage bag is excessively filled with banknotes, the guard wants to take out some of the banknotes from the banknote storage bag. Meanwhile, in the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment, in a case where a predetermined condition has been satisfied, access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  is allowed in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, so that the various requests as described above can be satisfied. 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment, as described above, at least the holding members  36  are disposed, and the lower assembly  16  is disposed as a drawer unit which is drawn outward from the housing  12 , and the regulation unit  60  includes the locking unit  62  that regulates drawing of the lower assembly  16  outward from the housing  12 . The locking unit  62  may regulate the lower assembly  16  such that the entirety of the lower assembly  16  is stored in the housing  12 . The locking unit  62  may regulate the position of the lower assembly  16  such that the banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding member  36  of the lower assembly  16  cannot be substantially accessed from the outside of the housing  12 . The locking unit  62  may be disposed inside the housing  12  or disposed outside the housing  12  to regulate the operation of drawing the lower assembly  16 , from the outside of the housing  12 . The control unit  50  controls the locking unit  62  so as to allow the lower assembly  16  to be drawn outward from the housing  12  when a predetermined condition has been satisfied. In this case, when the predetermined condition has been satisfied, an operator draws the lower assembly  16  outward from the housing  12 , whereby the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  that is disposed in the lower assembly  16  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened can be accessed. 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment, as described above, the door  12   a  is disposed in the housing  12  and is opened when the lower assembly  16  as a drawer unit is drawn outward from the housing  12 . The regulation unit  60  includes the door locking unit  64  for locking the door  12   a  in a closed state. The control unit  50  controls the door locking unit  64  so as to cancel locking of the door  12   a  in the closed state when a predetermined condition has been satisfied. In this case, when the predetermined condition has been satisfied, an operator opens the door  12   a  and draws the lower assembly  16  outward from the housing  12 , whereby the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  that is disposed in the lower assembly  16  can be accessed in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened. The door  12   a  may not be disposed on the front surface of the housing  12 , and may be disposed on the rear surface or the side surface of the housing  12 . A plurality of holding members  36  may be disposed and a plurality of doors  12   a  corresponding to the plurality of holding members  36 , respectively, may be separately disposed. As described above, the regulation unit  60  may include both the locking unit  62  and the door locking unit  64 . Alternatively, the regulation unit  60  may include one of the locking unit  62  or the door locking unit  64 . In the latter case, one of the locking unit  62  or the door locking unit  64  may not be disposed, and only the other thereof may be disposed as the regulation unit  60  in the banknote handling machine  10 . 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment, as described above, the inlet unit  20  as a taking-in unit for taking in banknotes into the housing  12 , the transport unit  24  for transporting banknotes that are taken in into the housing  12  by the inlet unit  20 , and the recognition unit  26  for performing recognition of banknotes transported by the transport unit  24  are disposed. The control unit  50  controls the regulation unit  60  so as to allow a sheet such as a banknote to be stored into the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  without transporting the sheet through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 , when a predetermined condition has been satisfied. In this case, when a sheet such as a banknote is allowed to be stored into the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36 , an operator is allowed to insert the sheet such as a banknote directly into the banknote storage bag  34  without transporting the sheet through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 . 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment, as described above, when an instruction (that is, an instruction for inserting a sheet such as a banknote directly into the banknote storage bag  34 ) for inserting a sheet such as a banknote into the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  without transporting the sheet through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 , is inputted, the control unit  50  determines that the predetermined condition has been satisfied. In this case, an additional insertion button is displayed on the operation/display unit  52 , as an instruction unit for providing an instruction for inserting a sheet such as a banknote in the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  without transporting the sheet through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 , and, when the additional insertion button is operated, an instruction for inserting a sheet such as a banknote into the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  without transporting the sheet through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 , may be inputted into the control unit  50 . 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment, as described above, information on a sheet such as a banknote that is stored into the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  without transporting the sheet through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 , can be inputted to the operation/display unit  52 . In this case, the operation/display unit  52  functions as an input unit for inputting information on a sheet such as a banknote that is stored into the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  without transporting the sheet through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 . Thus, the control unit  50  can manage information on a sheet such as a banknote that is stored directly into the banknote storage bag  34 . According to the present embodiment, information (that is, information on a sheet such as a banknote that is stored directly into the banknote storage bag  34 ) on a sheet such as a banknote that is stored into the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  without transporting the sheet through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 , and information (that is, information on banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  34  in depositing of the banknotes as described above) on banknotes that are stored into the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26  are managed, by the control unit  50 , so as to be distinguished from each other. 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment, as described above, the card reader  53  is disposed as an authentication unit for performing authentication of authority of an operator, and, when the authority of an operator who is authenticated by the card reader  53  is a predetermined authority, the control unit  50  may determine that the predetermined condition has been satisfied. The authentication unit for performing authentication of the authority of an operator is not limited to the card reader  53 . In another aspect, by an operator inputting an identification number and password of the operator to the operation/display unit  52 , the authentication of the operator may be performed. In this case, the operation/display unit  52  functions as the authentication unit for performing authentication of the authority of an operator. 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment, as described above, a plurality of sets (specifically, two sets) of a pair of holding members  36  are disposed. The predetermined condition corresponding to each of the plurality (specifically, two) of the banknote storage bags  34  held by the holding members  36  is set, and, when the predetermined condition corresponding to the banknote storage bag  34  is satisfied for each of the banknote storage bags  34  held by the respective sets of holding members  36 , the control unit  50  controls the regulation unit  60  so as to allow access to the corresponding banknote storage bag  34  held by the holding members  36  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened. Thus, for example, when the authority of the store is allocated to the first banknote storage bag  34 , and the authority of the cash-in-transit company is allocated to the second banknote storage bag  34 , a specific operator of the store is allowed to access only the first banknote storage bag  34  to which the authority of the store is allocated. 
     In the banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment, as described above, in a case where access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  is allowed in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, each heating member  38  that functions as a sealing unit seals the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  in a manner different from a manner for a case where access to the banknote storage bag  34  is not allowed. In this case, when, for example, a guard of a cash-in-transit company collects the banknote storage bag  34  from the lower assembly  16  of the banknote handling machine  10 , the guard can easily know that a sheet such as a banknote may have been additionally stored into the banknote storage bag  34 , or a banknote may have been taken out from the banknote storage bag  34 . 
     The banknote handling machine  10  of the present embodiment and the banknote handling method performed by the banknote handling machine  10  are not limited to the above-described aspects, and various modifications can be added. 
     For example, the regulation unit  60  for selectively regulating access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  is not limited to the locking unit  62  for locking the lower assembly  16  in the housing  12 , and/or the door locking unit  64  for locking the door  12   a  in a closed state. A unit, other than the above-described locking unit  62  and/or door locking unit  64 , which can selectively regulate access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  can be used as the regulation unit  60 . 
     A predetermined condition used for determining whether or not access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  is to be allowed in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened, is not limited to a condition that an instruction for inserting a sheet such as a banknote directly into the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  without transporting the sheet through the inlet unit  20 , the transport unit  24 , and the recognition unit  26 , has been inputted, or a condition that authority of an operator who has been authenticated by the authentication unit such as the card reader  53  is a predetermined authority. A condition other than the above-described conditions can be used as the predetermined condition used for determining whether or not access to the banknote storage bag  34  held by each holding member  36  is to be allowed in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  34  is opened. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 8  to  FIG. 18  illustrate a banknote handling machine  110  according to a second embodiment. In the description for the banknote handling machine  110  according to the second embodiment, the same components as described for the banknote handling machine  10  according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , in the banknote handling machine  110  of the present embodiment, the lower assembly  16  includes a plurality (two in the example shown in  FIG. 8 ) of mounting units  132  to which banknote storage bags  134  such as pouches can be mounted. More specifically, the two mounting units  132  are aligned in the lower assembly  16  along a direction (that is, leftward direction in  FIG. 8 ) of drawing of the lower assembly  16  from the housing  12 . 
     Each mounting unit  132  has a pair of holding members  132   a  that are spaced so as to face each other. Two portions, of the banknote storage bag  134 , which are near the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  and which face each other are held by the holding members  132   a , respectively. The first holding member  132   a  is fixedly positioned, whereas the second holding member  132   a  can be moved toward the first holding member  132   a  that is fixedly positioned. Each mounting unit  132  is provided with a sealing unit  138  for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . The sealing unit  138  has a sealing member  138   a  for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . The sealing member  138   a  seals, by heat, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . More specifically, the sealing member  138   a  is disposed in each holding member  132   a . After banknotes are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , the second holding members  132   a  is moved toward the first holding members  132   a , and the holding members  132   a  touch each other. In this state, each sealing member  138   a  heats a portion, near the opening portion, of the banknote storage bag  134 , whereby the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  is heat-sealed (thermally sealed). In each mounting unit  132 , instead of the second holding member  132   a  being moved toward the first holding member  132   a , both the holding members  132   a  may be moved toward each other to touch the holding members  132   a  to each other. 
     As described below, the sealing unit  138  may have a printing member  138   b  for performing printing on the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , or a marking member  138   c  for marking the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . The sealing unit  138  may include a cutting member  138   d  for partially cutting the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . The cutting member  138   d  forms a hole at a portion, near the opening portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , or forms a cut portion at an edge of the banknote storage bag  134 . Functions of the printing member  138   b , the marking member  138   c , and the cutting member  138   d  will be described below in detail. In the present embodiment, the printing member  138   b , the marking member  138   c , and the cutting member  138   d  are used as components each of which is a part of the sealing unit  138 . However, at least one or the entirety of the printing member  138   b , the marking member  138   c , and the cutting member  138   d  may be components separate from the sealing unit  138 . 
     In each mounting unit  132 , a temporary storage unit for temporarily holding banknotes transported from the transport unit  24 , and a pressing plate for pressing, into the banknote storage bag  134 , the banknote that are temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit are disposed above the pair of holding members  132   a , which are not shown in  FIG. 8 . Specifically, banknotes transported from the transport unit  24  to each mounting unit  132  are stacked on the temporary storage unit in a stacked state, and, when the banknotes stacked in the temporary storage unit in the stacked state are stored in the banknote storage bag  134 , the pressing plate is moved downward and the banknotes stacked in the temporary storage unit are pressed downward and sent into the banknote storage bag  134 . When a predetermined number of banknotes are stored in the banknote storage bag  134 , the pressing plate is moved downward into the banknote storage bag  134 , and the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  134  are pressed downward and compressed by the pressing plate. 
     An operator draws the lower assembly  16  forward (that is, the leftward in  FIG. 8 ) from the front surface of the housing  12 , whereby the operator is allowed to detach the banknote storage bag  134  storing the banknotes, from the mounting unit  132 , or mount an empty banknote storage bag  134  to the mounting unit  132 . 
     In the upper assembly  14 , a plurality (two in the example shown in  FIG. 8 ) of diverged transport units  25  corresponding to the mounting units  132 , respectively diverge from the transport unit  24 . A banknote that is diverted from the transport unit  24  into the diverged transport unit  25  is sent from the diverged transport unit  25  to the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to each mounting unit  132 , and stored in the banknote storage bag  134 . 
     The banknote handling machine  110  of the present embodiment includes a control unit  150  that controls the components of the banknote handling machine  110 . More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the banknote feeding mechanism  20   a  disposed at the inlet unit  20 , the stacking wheel driving unit  22   b  for driving the stacking wheel  22   a  disposed at the outlet unit  22 , the transport unit  24 , the diverged transport unit  25 , the recognition unit  26 , the storage/feeding unit  30 , the mounting unit  132 , the sealing unit  138 , and the like are connected to the control unit  150 . A signal representing a result of recognition of a banknote by the recognition unit  26  is transmitted to the control unit  150 , and the control unit  150  controls operations of the components by transmitting an instruction signal to each component of the banknote handling machine  110 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the operation/display unit  52 , the memory unit  54 , the printing unit  56 , and the communication interface unit  58  are connected to the control unit  150 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the operation/display unit  52  is implemented by, for example, a touch panel disposed on the upper surface of the housing  12 . The operation/display unit  52  displays information on, for example, a state of handling such as depositing of banknotes in the banknote handling machine  110 , and an inventory amount of banknotes stored in each banknote storage bag  134 . By an operator operating the operation/display unit  52 , the operator is allowed to provide the control unit  150  with various instructions. 
     The memory unit  54  stores information on, for example, a history of handling such as depositing of banknotes in the banknote handling machine  110 , and an inventory amount of banknotes stored in each banknote storage bag  134 . The printing unit  56  prints, on a receipt or the like, information on, for example, a history of handling such as depositing of banknotes in the banknote handling machine  110  and an inventory amount of banknotes stored in each banknote storage bag  134 . The control unit  150  can transmit a signal to and receive a signal from an external device (specifically, for example, higher-order terminal) disposed separately from the banknote handling machine  110  of the present embodiment, through the communication interface unit  58 . For example, when the banknote storage bag  134  is collected by, for example, a guard of a cash-in-transit company, the control unit  150  transmits the information on the banknote storage bag  134  to the cash-in-transit company through the communication interface unit  58 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , a setting unit  140  for selecting and setting a sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  from a plurality of sealing methods, based on a result of recognition by the recognition unit  26  is connected to the control unit  150 . The function of the setting unit  140  will be described below in detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , a power switch  142  is connected to the control unit  150 . The power switch  142  is disposed in the housing  12  of the banknote handling machine  110 , and the banknote handling machine  110  operates or stops by an operator setting the power switch  142  to be on or off. 
     Next, an operation performed by the banknote handling machine  110  having such a configuration will be described. The operation is performed by the banknote handling machine  110  as described below by the control unit  150  controlling each component of the banknote handling machine  110 . 
     Firstly, an operation performed by the banknote handling machine  110  for depositing of banknotes will be described. An operator inserts banknotes in the inlet unit  20  and then provides the control unit  150  with an instruction for starting the depositing by using the operation/display unit  52 . Then, the banknotes inserted in the inlet unit  20  are taken in into the housing  12  one by one by the banknote feeding mechanism  20   a , and transported one by one by the transport unit  24 . The recognition unit  26  recognizes a denomination, authenticity, face/back, fitness, new/old series, a transport state, and the like of the banknote transported by the transport unit  24 . An image of the banknote is taken by an image sensor of the recognition unit  26 , and the serial number of the banknote is obtained based on the image of the banknote. Information on the serial number of the banknote obtained by the recognition unit  26  is stored in the memory unit  54 . A banknote recognized as being not normal by the recognition unit  26 , that is, a rejected note is transported to the outlet unit  22  by the transport unit  24 , and stacked in the outlet unit  22 . Thus, for example, the operator is allowed to manually take out the rejected banknotes stacked in the outlet unit  22  from the front surface of the housing  12 , and to insert again the banknotes in the inlet unit  20 . Meanwhile, banknotes recognized as being normal by the recognition unit  26  are diverted from the transport unit  24  to the diverged transport unit  25 , sent from the diverged transport unit  25  to the banknote storage bag  134 , and stored in the banknote storage bag  134 . 
     In a case where the banknote storage bag  134  to which a banknote recognized by the recognition unit  26  is to be transported, is in a full state or nearly full state, and the banknote cannot be stored in the banknote storage bag  134 , the banknote recognized by the recognition unit  26  is transported to the storage/feeding unit  30 , and stored in the storage/feeding unit  30 . When the banknote storage bag  134  in the full state or nearly full state is detached from the mounting unit  132  of the lower assembly  16  by, for example, a guard of a cash-in-transit company, or a clerk of a store, and an empty banknote storage bag  134  is mounted to the mounting unit  132 , banknotes are fed out one by one from the storage/feeding unit  30  to the transport unit  24 , and transported to the banknote storage bag  134  by the transport unit  24 . 
     When the banknote storage bag  134  in the full state or nearly full state is detached from the mounting unit  132  of the lower assembly  16  by, for example, a guard of a cash-in-transit company or a clerk of a store, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is sealed by the sealing unit  138 . Specifically, the second holding member  132   a  is moved toward the first holding member  132   a , and the holding members  132   a  touch each other. In this state, each sealing member  138   a  heats a portion, near the opening portion, of the banknote storage bag  134 , whereby the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  is heat-sealed (thermally sealed). 
     In the present embodiment, a banknote to be stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is recognized by the recognition unit  26 , and the setting unit  140  selects and sets a sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  by the sealing unit  138  from a plurality of sealing methods, based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 . The control unit  150  controls the sealing unit  138  so as to seal the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , based on the sealing method having been set by the setting unit  140 . The memory unit  54  may store correspondence between the sealing method and the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , and the setting unit  140  may read and set the sealing method corresponding to the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , from the memory unit  54 . Furthermore, the correspondence, stored in the memory unit  54 , between the sealing method and the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , may be changed by input through the operation/display unit  52 . Such an operation will be described below in detail. 
     The setting unit  140  selects and sets a portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , to be sealed by the sealing member  138   a , from a plurality of portions, in the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 , based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 . The control unit  150  controls the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  so as to seal the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  at the portion having been set by the setting unit  140 . Such an operation will be described with reference to  FIG. 10 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the sealing member  138   a  is movable relative to the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , in the up-down direction and the left-right direction shown in  FIG. 10 . Portions, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , to be sealed by the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  are indicated as diagonal line regions represented by reference numeral  135  in  FIG. 10 . In the present embodiment, the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  may seal the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  at one portion over the entire width of the banknote storage bag  134  (that is, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  may be sealed at only one of the two sealing portions represented by reference numeral  135  in  FIG. 10 ), or may seal the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  at two portions over the entire width of the banknote storage bag  134  (that is, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  may be sealed at the two sealing portions represented by reference numeral  135  in  FIG. 10 ). The setting unit  140  determines, for setting, whether the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  seals the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  at one portion or two portions over the entire width of the banknote storage bag  134 , based on result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 . More specifically, in a case where the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  has been accepted (that is, in a case where the inventory amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is in an accepted state), based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  seals the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  at one portion over the entire width of the banknote storage bag  134 . Meanwhile, in a case where the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  has not been accepted (that is, in a case where an inventory amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is in an unaccepted state), based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  seals the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  at two portions over the entire width of the banknote storage bag  134 . Thus, in a case where the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  has been accepted, the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  seals the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  at one portion over the entire width thereof. Meanwhile, in a case where the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  has not been accepted, the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  seals the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  at two portions over the entire width thereof. Thus, an operator can easily know whether or not the number or a monetary amount of banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  134  has been accepted, by simply looking at the outer appearance of the banknote storage bag  134 . 
     According to the present embodiment, in the banknote handling machine  110 , when depositing of banknotes is performed, an operator is allowed to set, through the operation/display unit  52 , a forcible depositing mode for forcibly storing, in the banknote storage bag  134 , a banknote which cannot be specified for the denomination based on a result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 . In a case where such a forcible depositing mode is set, when a banknote which cannot be specified for the denomination based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26  is forcibly stored in the banknote storage bag  134 , the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is in an unaccepted state. In a case where depositing of banknotes is performed in the banknote handling machine  110 , when abnormality in transporting a banknote in the transport unit  24  occurs and the handling performed by the banknote handling machine  110  stops, whether or not a banknote which is just about to be stored in the banknote storage bag  134  or a banknote which is being stored in the banknote storage bag  134  has been stored in the banknote storage bag  134  cannot be determined. Also in this case, the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is in an unaccepted state. 
     The sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  may seal the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  at one portion over the entire width of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  and additionally seal a portion above the sealing portion over the entire width of the banknote storage bag  134 , depending on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 . Such an operation will be described with reference to (a) to (c) of  FIG. 11 . In (a) to (c) of  FIG. 11 , portions, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , to be sealed by the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  are indicated as diagonal line regions represented by reference numerals  135 ,  135   a , and  135   b . In a case where the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  has not been accepted (that is, in a case where an inventory amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is in an unaccepted state), based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  seals the banknote storage bag  134  at portions represented by reference numeral  135  and reference numeral  135   a , as shown in (a) of  FIG. 11 . In a case where the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is greater than a predetermined number or a predetermined monetary amount having been preset, according to the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  seals the banknote storage bag  134  at portions represented by reference numeral  135  and reference numeral  135   b , as shown in (b) of  FIG. 11 . In a case where at least one banknote other than a genuine banknote is included in banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , according to the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  seals the banknote storage bag  134  at portions represented by reference numeral  135 , reference numeral  135   a , and reference numeral  135   b , as shown in (c) of  FIG. 11 . In a case where a state of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  does not correspond to any of the above-described states, according to the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  seals the banknote storage bag  134  at only a portion represented by reference numeral  135  in  FIG. 11 . Thus, an operator can easily know information on the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  134  by simply looking at the outer appearance of the banknote storage bag  134 . 
     In the present embodiment, the upper limit of the number or a monetary amount of banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  134  is preset by the control unit  150 . In a case where the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is greater than the above-described upper limit, of the number or a monetary amount of the banknotes, which is preset by the control unit  150 , the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  seals the banknote storage bag  134  at the portions represented by reference numeral  135  and reference numeral  135   b , as shown in (b) of  FIG. 11 . Alternatively, when a monetary amount (for example, maximum insurance coverage) which is set for security in the case of the banknote storage bag  134  being detached and carried from the banknote handling machine  110 , is preset by the control unit  150 , if a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is greater than the monetary amount of banknotes which has been preset by the control unit  150 , the setting unit  140  may perform setting such that the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  seals the banknote storage bag  134  at the portions represented by reference numeral  135  and reference numeral  135   b , as shown in (b) of  FIG. 11 . 
     In the present embodiment, not only in a case where banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  include a counterfeit note, but also in a case where banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  include a banknote of which the authenticity is suspected (hereinafter, such a banknote is also referred to as suspect note), or in a case where banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  include a medium (for example, voucher or check) determined as being not a banknote, it is determined that the banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  include a banknote other than a genuine banknote. Also in a case where the banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  include a banknote which has been issued by a foreign country or organization, or an old series note, it may be determined that banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  include a banknote other than a genuine banknote. 
     In the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  in which the setting unit  140  sets a portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , to be sealed by the sealing member  138   a , based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , a plurality of heat-sensitive light emission layers having different colors, respectively, may be disposed in the banknote storage bag  134  to be mounted to the mounting unit  132 . When the setting unit  140  sets a portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , to be sealed by the sealing member  138   a , a heat-sensitive light emission layer to be sealed by the sealing member  138   a  may be selected and set from the plurality of heat-sensitive light emission layers disposed on the banknote storage bag  134 , based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 . Such an operation will be described with reference to  FIG. 12 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , near the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 , a first heat-sensitive light emission layer  134   a  that emits red light when heat-sealed by the sealing member  138   a , a second heat-sensitive light emission layer  134   b  that emits blue light when heat-sealed by the sealing member  138   a , and a third heat-sensitive light emission layer  134   c  that emits yellow light when heat-sealed by the sealing member  138   a  are formed so as to be aligned along the width direction of the banknote storage bag  134 . When a portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , to be sealed by the sealing member  138   a  is set, the setting unit  140  selects and sets a heat-sensitive light emission layer to be sealed by the sealing member  138   a  from the three heat-sensitive light emission layers  134   a  to  134   c  based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , in addition to the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  being sealed at one portion over the entire width of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . Thus, the color of light emitted by the heat-sensitive light emission layer disposed near the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  is different depending on a state of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , and an operator can easily know information on the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  134  by simply looking at the color of light emitted by the heat-sensitive light emission layer near the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 . 
     In a case where the sealing unit  138  has the sealing member  138   a  and the printing member  138   b , the setting unit  140  may set a content to be printed on the banknote storage bag  134  by the printing member  138   b , based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , in the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 , and the control unit  150  may control the printing member  138   b  of the sealing unit  138  so as to perform printing on the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  based on the content, to be printed, which is set by the setting unit  140 . Such an operation will be described with reference to  FIG. 13 . In the present embodiment, a printer such as an inkjet printer is used as the printing member  138   b . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the sealing member  138   a  and the printing member  138   b  are movable relative to the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  in the left-right direction shown in  FIG. 13 . The sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  seals the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  at one portion over the entire width of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . The printing member  138   b  prints various characters at a portion above the portion, of the banknote storage bag  134 , which has been sealed by the sealing member  138   a . Specifically, in a case where the number or a monetary amount of the banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  has not been accepted, based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the printing member  138   b  prints characters representing “abnormality in inventory amount” on the banknote storage bag  134 . In a case where the banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  include at least one banknote (for example, counterfeit note or suspect note) other than a genuine banknote, according to the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the printing member  138   b  prints characters representing “include a suspect note” on the banknote storage bag  134 . Thus, an operator can easily know information on the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  134  by simply looking at the characters printed on the banknote storage bag  134 . 
     In the present embodiment, the printing member  138   b  may print various characters at a portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , which has been sealed by the sealing member  138   a , instead of various characters being printed at a portion above a portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , which has been sealed by the sealing member  138   a . Specifically, the sealing member  138   a  and the printing member  138   b  may be integrated with each other. 
     In a case where the sealing unit  138  has the sealing member  138   a  and the marking member  138   c , the setting unit  140  may set a content to be marked on the banknote storage bag  134  by the marking member  138   c , based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , in the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 , and the control unit  150  may control the marking member  138   c  of the sealing unit  138  such that the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is marked based on the content, to be marked, which has been set by the setting unit  140 . Such an operation will be descried with reference to  FIG. 14 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , a plurality (three in the example shown in  FIG. 14 ) of the marking members  138   c  are disposed along the height direction of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , and the marking members  138   c  each include the sealing member  138   a . That is, three members each of which has the sealing member  138   a  and the marking member  138   c  integrated with each other, are disposed. Each marking member  138   c  is movable relative to the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  in the left-right direction shown in  FIG. 14 . The sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  seals the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  at one portion over the entire width of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . Each marking member  138   c  marks a portion, of the banknote storage bag  134 , which has been sealed by the sealing member  138   a , with various characters. Among the three marking members  138   c , the marking member  138   c  disposed on the uppermost side marks the banknote storage bag  134  with characters representing “abnormality in inventory amount”. Among the three marking members  138   c , the marking member  138   c  disposed at the second highest position marks the banknote storage bag  134  with characters representing “include suspect note”. Among the three marking members  138   c , the marking member  138   c  disposed on the lowermost side marks the banknote storage bag  134  with characters representing “exceed storage capacity”. In a case where the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  has not been accepted, based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the sealing member  138   a  and the marking member  138   c  disposed on the uppermost side seals and marks the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . In a case where banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  include at least one banknote (for example, counterfeit note or suspect note) other than a genuine banknote, according to the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the sealing member  138   a  and the marking member  138   c  disposed at the second highest position seal and mark the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . In a case where the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is greater than a predetermined number or a predetermined monetary amount having been preset, according to the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the sealing member  138   a  and the marking member  138   c  disposed on the lowermost side seal and mark the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . Thus, an operator can easily know information on the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  134  by simply looking at characters marked on the banknote storage bag  134 . 
     In a case where the sealing unit  138  has the sealing member  138   a  and the cutting member  138   d , the setting unit  140  may set a portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , to be cut by the cutting member  138   d , based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , in the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 , and the control unit  150  may control the cutting member  138   d  of the sealing unit  138  so as to cut the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , at the portion having been set by the setting unit  140 . Such an operation will be described with reference to  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 . In the example shown in  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 , the cutting member  138   d  forms a hole near the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the sealing member  138   a  and the cutting member  138   d  are movable relative to the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  in the left-right direction in  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 . The sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  seals the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  at one portion over the entire width of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . In  FIG. 16 , a portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , to be sealed by the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  is indicated as a diagonal line region represented by reference numeral  135 . The cutting member  138   d  forms a hole in the banknote storage bag  134  at a portion above the portion, of the banknote storage bag  134 , which has been sealed by the sealing member  138   a . In (a) to (c) of  FIG. 16 , portions, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , at which holes are formed by the cutting member  138   d  are represented by reference numerals  139   a ,  139   b . In a case where the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  has not been accepted, based on the result of the recognition by the recognition unit  26  (that is, in a case where an inventory amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is in an unaccepted state), the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the cutting member  138   d  of the sealing unit  138  forms a hole at a portion, represented by reference numeral  139   a , of the banknote storage bag  134 , as shown in (a) of  FIG. 16 . In a case where the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is greater than a predetermined number or a predetermined monetary amount having been preset, according to the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the cutting member  138   d  of the sealing unit  138  forms a hole at a portion, represented by reference numeral  139   b , of the banknote storage bag  134 , as shown in (b) of  FIG. 16 . In a case where banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  include a counterfeit note, according to the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the cutting member  138   d  of the sealing unit  138  forms holes at portions, represented by reference numeral  139   a  and reference numeral  139   b , of the banknote storage bag  134 , as shown in (c) of  FIG. 16 . In a case where a state of banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  does not correspond to any of the above-described states according to the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  performs setting such that the cutting member  138   d  of the sealing unit  138  does not form a hole in the banknote storage bag  134 . Thus, an operator can easily know information on banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  134  by simply looking at the hole formed near the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 . 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, in a case where the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  has not been accepted based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  sets the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  such that the sealing method is different from a sealing method in a case where the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  has been accepted. In a case where the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is greater than a predetermined number or a predetermined monetary amount having been preset, according to the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  sets the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  such that the sealing method is different from a sealing method in a case where the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is less than or equal to the predetermined number or the predetermined monetary amount having been preset. In a case where at least one banknote stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is not a genuine banknote, according to the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , the setting unit  140  sets the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  such that the sealing method is different from a sealing method in a case where all the banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  are genuine banknotes. Setting, by the setting unit  140 , of the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  is not limited to the above-described aspect. In another aspect, the setting unit  140  may select and set a sealing method, for sealing an opening portion of a storage bag, corresponding to the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , from a plurality of sealing methods, based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 . For example, information on the number or a monetary amount of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  may be printed near the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  by the printing member  138   b . The setting unit  140  may select and set a sealing method, for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 , corresponding to a denomination of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , from a plurality of sealing methods, based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 . In this case, when a plurality of denominations of banknotes are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , the setting unit  140  may set a sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26  such that the sealing method is different from a sealing method in a case where one denomination of banknotes are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . 
     In the present embodiment, the setting unit  140  may not select and set a sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  from a plurality of sealing methods, based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 . In another aspect, the setting unit  140  may select and set a sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 , from a plurality of sealing methods, based on information inputted by the operation/display unit  52 , and the control unit  150  may control the sealing unit  138  so as to seal the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , based on the sealing method having been set by the setting unit  140 . For example, in a case where an operator inputs, through the operation/display unit  52 , information on any of a date and time when banknotes are handled by the banknote handling machine  110 , a date and time when the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  is sealed by the sealing unit  138 , a person in charge of handling of banknotes in the banknote handling machine  110 , a place (for example, information on a store in which the banknote handling machine  110  is installed) where the banknote handling machine  110  is installed, and information on the following handling step performed next to the banknote handling machine  110 , the printing member  138   b  of the sealing unit  138  may print the information inputted by the operation/display unit  52 , near the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 . The information on the following handling step performed next to the banknote handling machine  110  is information on the following handling step in handling of the banknote storage bag  134 . Specifically, in a case where the banknote storage bag  134  taken out from the banknote handling machine  110  is carried to a place for banknote processing, and the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  134  are processed by a processing machine installed in the place for banknote processing, the printing member  138   b  of the sealing unit  138  prints characters representing “process by processing machine”, near the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 . In a case where the banknote storage bag  134  taken out from the banknote handling machine  110  is carried to a banknote handling center, the printing member  138   b  of the sealing unit  138  may print a name of the banknote handling center near the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 . A name of a cash-in-transit company that transfers the banknote storage bag  134  taken out from the banknote handling machine  110  may be printed near the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  by the printing member  138   b  of the sealing unit  138 . 
     In the banknote handling machine  110  of the present embodiment, not only when, for example, a guard of a cash-in-transit company or a clerk of a store detaches the banknote storage bag  134  in a full state or nearly full state, from the mounting unit  132  of the lower assembly  16 , but also when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  may be sealed by the sealing unit  138 . Specifically, in a case where the power switch  142  is set to be off by an operator, when the number of banknotes that are stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is greater than a predetermined number having been preset, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is sealed by the sealing unit  138 . In a case where difference between: a monetary amount of banknotes, to be stored in the banknote storage bag  134 , which is calculated based on a monetary amount of deposited banknotes which is inputted by the operation/display unit  52 ; and a monetary amount of banknotes, based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , which have been actually stored in the banknote storage bag  134 , becomes greater than or equal to a predetermined monetary amount, error in calculation is determined to have occurred, and the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  may be sealed by the sealing unit  138 . Alternatively, when the number of times such an error in calculation has occurred is greater than a predetermined number of times, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  may be sealed by the sealing unit  138 . In a case where trouble in storage occurs such that banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  134  are in a standing state, and the banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  134  have reached a portion to be sealed by the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138 , in a case where the predicted number of banknotes which are to be deposited in the banknote handling machine  110  on the following day becomes greater than an available capacity of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  (that is, in a case where overflow is predicted if the banknote storage bag  134  is used as it is on the following day), in a case where the cash-in-transit company that is entrusted with carrying of the banknote storage bag  134  is scheduled to be earlier than the following business day, or in a case where the housing  12  having the banknote storage bag  134  stored therein needs to be unlocked according to information inputted through the operation/display unit  52  or information transmitted from an external device through the communication interface unit  58  to the control unit  150 , the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  may be sealed by the sealing unit  138 . Thus, also in a case other than a case where, for example, a guard of a cash-in-transit company or a clerk of a store detaches the banknote storage bag  134  in a full state or nearly full state, from the mounting unit  132  of the lower assembly  16 , when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  is sealed by the sealing unit  138 , whereby an operation of collecting the banknote storage bag  134  can be smoothly and flexibly performed. 
     In the banknote handling machine  110  of the present embodiment, a tape-type storage/feeding unit  30  may be used as a storage for storing banknotes to be managed by the store. Specifically, specific banknotes including, for example, a specific denomination of banknotes such as large denomination notes, banknotes issued by a specific foreign country or organization, sheets such as coupons and checks other than banknotes, and counterfeit notes may be stored in the storage/feeding unit  30 . Furthermore, for example, banknotes which are to be handled as proceeds from sales for the following day, banknotes which cannot be determined to be collected, or banknotes to be used as change for the following day, may be stored as specific banknotes in the storage/feeding unit  30 . The specific banknotes stored in the storage/feeding unit  30  may be fed out from the storage/feeding unit  30  to the transport unit  24  and transported by the transport unit  24  to the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Specifically, for example, in a case where “banknotes to be handled as proceeds from sales for the following day” are stored as specific banknotes in the storage/feeding unit  30 , “the banknotes to be handled as proceeds from sales for the following day” may be fed out from the storage/feeding unit  30  to the transport unit  24 , and transported by the transport unit  24  to the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  on the day when the banknotes are handled as proceeds from sales. 
     In the banknote handling machine  110  and the banknote handling method, according to the present embodiment, having the above-described configuration, banknotes to be stored in the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  are recognized by the recognition unit  26 , and the setting unit  140  selects and sets a sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  from a plurality of sealing methods, based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 . The control unit  150  controls the sealing unit  138  so as to seal the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  based on the sealing method having been set by the setting unit  140 . Thus, a sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  is selected from a plurality of sealing methods and set based on the result of recognition of banknotes to be stored in the banknote storage bag  134 , whereby an operator can easily know information on banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  134  by simply looking at the outer appearance of the banknote storage bag  134 . 
     In the banknote handling machine  110  of the present embodiment, as described above, the sealing unit  138  has the sealing member  138   a  for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , and the setting unit  140  sets a portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , to be sealed by the sealing member  138   a , in the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 , based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 . The control unit  150  controls the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  so as to seal the portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , which has been set by the setting unit  140  (see  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 ). 
     The sealing member  138   a  seals, by heat, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . The banknote storage bag  134  to be mounted to the mounting unit  132  has a plurality of heat-sensitive light emission layers  134   a  to  134   c  having different colors, respectively. When a portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , to be sealed by the sealing member  138   a  is set, the setting unit  140  may select and set a heat-sensitive light emission layer to be sealed by the sealing member  138   a , from the plurality of heat-sensitive light emission layers  134   a  to  134   c  disposed in the banknote storage bag  134 , based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 , and the control unit  150  may control the sealing member  138   a  of the sealing unit  138  so as to seal the heat-sensitive light emission layer having been set by the setting unit  140  (see  FIG. 12 ). The sealing member  138   a  may not seal, by heat, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . As the sealing member  138   a , a sealing member which seals the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  by a method other than the method using heat, may be used. 
     In the banknote handling machine  110  of the present embodiment, as described above, the sealing unit  138  may have the sealing member  138   a  that seals the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , and the printing member  138   b  that performs printing on the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , and the setting unit  140  may set a content to be printed on the banknote storage bag  134  by the printing member  138   b , in the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 , based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 . In this case, the control unit  150  controls the printing member  138   b  of the sealing unit  138  so as to perform printing on the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , based on the content, to be printed, which has been set by the setting unit  140  (see  FIG. 13 ). At this time, the printing member  138   b  may perform printing at a portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , which has been sealed by the sealing member  138   a.    
     In the banknote handling machine  110  of the present embodiment, as described above, the sealing unit  138  may have the sealing member  138   a  that seals the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , and the marking member  138   c  that marks the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , and the setting unit  140  may set a content with which the banknote storage bag  134  is marked by the marking member  138   c , in the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 , based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 . In this case, the control unit  150  controls the marking member  138   c  of the sealing unit  138  so as to mark the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , based on the content, to be marked, which has been set by the setting unit  140  (see  FIG. 14 ). At this time, the marking member  138   c  may perform marking at a portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , which has been sealed by the sealing member  138   a.    
     In the banknote handling machine  110  of the present embodiment, as described above, the sealing unit  138  may have the sealing member  138   a  that seals the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , and the cutting member  138   d  that partially cuts the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , and the setting unit  140  may set a portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , to be cut by the cutting member  138   d , in the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 , based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 . In this case, the control unit  150  controls the cutting member  138   d  of the sealing unit  138  so as to cut the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132  at the portion having been set by the setting unit  140  (see  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 ). In the aspect shown in  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 , the cutting member  138   d  of the sealing unit  138  forms a hole near the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 . However, the cutting member  138   d  is not limited to such an aspect. As the cutting member  138   d  of the sealing unit  138 , a cutting member that forms a cut portion at the edge of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , may be used. In this case, the setting unit  140  selects and sets a portion, of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , at which the cut portion is formed by the cutting member  138   d , from a plurality of portions, in the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 , based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26 . 
     In the banknote handling machine  110  and the banknote handling method according to the present embodiment, information on handling of banknotes is inputted by the operation/display unit  52  as an input unit, and the setting unit  140  selects and sets a sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134 , from a plurality of sealing methods, based on the information inputted by the operation/display unit  52  as an input unit. The control unit  150  controls the sealing unit  138  so as to seal the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , based on the sealing method having been set by the setting unit  140 . Thus, the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  134  is selected from a plurality of sealing methods and set, based on information, on handling of banknotes, which is inputted by the operation/display unit  52 , whereby an operator can easily know information on handling of banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  134  by simply looking at the outer appearance of the banknote storage bag  134 . 
     The banknote handling machine  110  and the banknote handling method according to the present embodiment are not limited to the above-described aspects, and various modifications can be added. 
     For example, in the banknote handling machine  110  of the present embodiment, a banknote storage bag in which the internal region is sectioned into a plurality of regions by a sectioning member may be used as the banknote storage bag mounted to the mounting unit  132 . The configuration of such a banknote storage bag will be described with reference to  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18 . 
     A banknote storage bag  160  shown in  FIG. 17  has an internal region that is sectioned into two regions  160   a ,  160   b  by a sectioning member  162 , and has a plurality of openings corresponding to the regions  160   a ,  160   b , respectively. In this case, the internal region of the banknote storage bag  160  is sectioned by the sectioning member  162  that extends along the longitudinal direction of the banknote storage bag  160  so as to align the two regions  160   a ,  160   b  in the left-right direction. A plurality (two in the example shown in  FIG. 17 ) of diverged transport units  25  corresponding to the openings, respectively, of the banknote storage bag  160  are disposed for one mounting unit  132 . Banknotes are sent from the diverged transport units  25  to the regions  160   a ,  160   b , respectively, of the banknote storage bag  160  mounted to the mounting unit  132 , and stored in the regions  160   a ,  160   b . The same denomination of banknotes are stored in one banknote storage bag  160 . However, for example, banknotes determined as genuine banknotes based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26  are stored in the first region  160   a , and banknotes determined as being not genuine banknotes based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26  are stored in the second region  160   b . Furthermore, when the banknote storage bag  160  is mounted to the mounting unit  132 , banknotes may be stored in the first region  160   a , and mediums (for example, receipt or the like) other than banknotes may be stored in the second region  160   b . Alternatively, in a case where the banknote handling machine  110  of the present embodiment is provided with a coin handling machine, banknotes may be stored in one region  160   a , and coins transported from the coin handling machine may be stored in the other region  160   b.    
     In the example shown in  FIG. 17 , the internal region of the banknote storage bag  160  is sectioned into the two regions  160   a ,  160   b  by the sectioning member  162 . However, in another modification, the internal region of a banknote storage bag may be sectioned into three or more regions by a plurality of sectioning members. In this case, fit notes determined as genuine banknotes based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26  may be stored in the first region, unfit notes determined as genuine banknotes based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26  may be stored in the second region, and banknotes determined as being not genuine banknotes based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26  may be stored in the third region. Alternatively, banknotes determined as having been domestically issued based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26  may be stored in the first region, banknotes determined as having been issued by a foreign country or organization based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26  may be stored in the second region, and banknotes determined as being not genuine banknotes based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26  may be stored in the third region. Alternatively, a financial facility to which a banknote storage bag is to be carried is allocated to each region, and banknotes may be stored in the region for each financial facility to which the banknotes are to be carried. 
     A banknote storage bag having the configuration as shown in  FIG. 18  may be used as a banknote storage bag having the internal region sectioned into a plurality of regions by a sectioning member. A banknote storage bag  170  shown in  FIG. 18  has the internal region that is sectioned into two regions  170   a ,  170   b  by a sectioning member  172 . A plurality of openings of the banknote storage bag  170  corresponding to the regions  170   a ,  170   b , respectively, are disposed. In this case, the internal region of the banknote storage bag  170  is sectioned by the sectioning member  172  that extends along the width direction of the banknote storage bag  170  so as to align the two regions  170   a ,  170   b  in the up-down direction. The diverged transport units  25  corresponding to openings, respectively, of the banknote storage bag  170  diverge, and banknotes are sent to the regions  170   a ,  170   b  of the banknote storage bag  170  mounted to the mounting unit  132  from the respective ends of diverged portions of the diverged transport unit  25 , and are stored in the regions  170   a ,  170   b . The same denomination of banknotes are stored in one banknote storage bag  170 . However, for example, banknotes determined as genuine banknotes based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26  are stored in the first region  170   a , and banknotes determined as being not genuine banknotes based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit  26  are stored in the second region  170   b.    
     In a case where the banknote storage bags  160 ,  170  as shown in  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18  are used, a plurality of kinds of valuable mediums (specifically, banknotes, coins, and the like) can be stored and collected in one banknote storage bag. 
     The money handling machine according to the present invention is not limited to the banknote handling machine  110  that performs handling of banknotes. As the money handling machine according to the present invention, a coin handling machine to which the principle of the present invention is applied may perform handling of coins. Specifically, when a coin handling machine that performs handling of coins includes: a mounting unit to which a coin storage bag in which coins are stored is mounted; and a sealing unit for sealing an opening portion of the coin storage bag mounted to the mounting unit, a recognition unit recognizes coins to be stored in the coin storage bag mounted to the mounting unit, and a setting unit selects and set a sealing method for sealing an opening portion of the coin storage bag, from a plurality of sealing methods, based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit. A control unit controls the sealing unit so as to seal the opening portion of the coin storage bag mounted to the mounting unit based on the sealing method having been set by the setting unit. Thus, the sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the coin storage bag is selected from a plurality of sealing methods and set, based on the result of recognition of coins to be stored in the coin storage bag, whereby an operator can easily know information on coins stored in the coin storage bag by simply looking at the outer appearance of the coin storage bag. When a coin handling machine is used as the money handling machine according to the present invention, information on handling of coins may be inputted by an input unit, and the setting unit may select and set a sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the coin storage bag, from a plurality of sealing methods, based on the information having been inputted through the input unit. Also in this case, the control unit controls the sealing unit so as to seal the opening portion of the coin storage bag mounted to the mounting unit, based on the sealing method having been set by the setting unit. In such an aspect, a sealing method for sealing the opening portion of the coin storage bag is selected from a plurality of sealing methods, and set based on information, on handling of coins, having been inputted through the input unit, whereby an operator can easily know information on handling of coins stored in the coin storage bag by simply looking at the outer appearance of the coin storage bag. 
     Third Embodiment 
     A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 19  to  FIG. 21  illustrate a banknote depositing machine according to the third embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20 , a banknote depositing machine  210  of the present embodiment includes: a housing  210   a ; a placement unit  220  which is disposed at the upper portion of the housing  210   a  and on which a plurality of banknotes P are placed; a receptacle unit  225  for taking in the plurality of banknotes P placed on the placement unit  220  one by one into the housing  210   a ; a transport unit  230  for transporting the banknotes P having been taken in by the receptacle unit  225 ; a stacking unit  260  for stacking the banknotes P transported by the transport unit  230 ; and a recognition unit  240  which is disposed at the transport unit  230 , and recognizes denominations, authenticity, and the like of the banknotes P transported by the transport unit  230  and counts the banknotes. 
     Among them, the receptacle unit  225  includes, as shown in  FIG. 20 , a kicker roller  226  for kicking, one by one, the banknote P disposed at the lowermost position among the plurality of banknotes P placed on the placement unit  220 , and a feed roller  227   a  which is disposed downstream of the kicker roller  226  in the direction of feeding of the banknotes P, and which feeds out the banknotes P kicked by the kicker roller  226 , one by one, into the housing  210   a . A gate roller  227   b  (reverse rotation roller) is disposed so as to face the feed roller  227   a , and a gate unit is formed between the feed roller  227   a  and the gate roller  227   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , the transport unit  230  includes a transport belt  231 , transport rollers  232 , and the like for transporting the banknotes P. A stacking wheel  235  that receives the banknotes P transported by the transport unit  230 , for each banknote P, between vanes  235   a  to align and stack the banknotes P in the stacking unit  260  is disposed near the stacking unit  260  at the most downstream portion of the transport unit  230 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , a reject unit  265  is disposed at the transport unit  230 , and the banknotes P which are not transported to the stacking unit  260  when abnormality occurs, are transported to the reject unit  265 . In the description herein, the abnormality refers to abnormality in recognition and abnormality in transporting. Abnormality in recognition represents a case where information recognized by the recognition unit  240  does not coincide with information which is previously stored in a control unit  250  described below. Examples of such abnormality in recognition include a state in which a banknote P is recognized as a banknote P having a kind different from an expected kind (for example, denomination, fitness, and the like), and a state where a kind of the banknotes P cannot be recognized. Abnormality in transporting refers to abnormality that occurs when the banknotes P are transported by the transport unit  230 . Examples of such abnormality in transporting include a state (skew) in which the banknote P is diagonally transported, a state (chaining) in which a plurality of banknotes P are transported so as not to be spaced from each other at predetermined intervals, and a state (overlapping) in which a plurality of banknotes P are transported so as to overlap each other. 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , in the stacking unit  260 , the stacked banknotes P are tilted toward the front surface side, and the banknotes P transported from the transport unit  230  are supported by a support unit  264  and thus stacked in a standing state so as to be tilted toward the front surface side. In the banknote depositing machine  210  shown in  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20 , the front surface side refers to a side on which an operator places the banknotes P on the placement unit  220 , and takes out the banknotes P from the stacking unit  260 , and refers to the right side in  FIG. 20 . Meanwhile, in the banknote depositing machine  210  shown in  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20 , the rear surface side refers to the side opposite to the front surface side, and refers to the left side in  FIG. 20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20 , a shutter mechanism  262  for opening and closing an opening portion, in the front surface, through which the stacked banknotes P are taken out is disposed on the front surface side of the stacking unit  260 . The shutter mechanism  262  is controlled, by the control unit  250  described below, so as not to be openable at least when a holding/transport mechanism  270  (described below) transports the banknotes P to a banknote storage mechanism  272  (described below). 
     A storage housing  280  is disposed at the lower portion of the banknote depositing machine  210  shown in  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20 , and the banknote storage mechanism  272  for storing banknotes in a banknote storage bag  274  such as a pouch having an opening portion on one side is disposed in the storage housing  280 . The banknote storage mechanism  272  of the banknote depositing machine  210  shown in  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20  has almost the same structure as the banknote storage mechanism  32  shown in  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 5 . Specifically, the banknote storage mechanism  272  has a pair of holding members  276  that are spaced so as to face each other. Two portions, of the banknote storage bag  274 , which are near the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  and which face each other are held by the holding members  276 , respectively. The first holding member  276  (specifically, for example, the holding member  276  on the right side in  FIG. 20 ) is fixedly positioned, whereas the second holding member  276  (specifically, for example, the holding member  276  on the left side in  FIG. 20 ) can be moved toward the first holding member  276  that is fixedly positioned. As shown in  FIG. 20 , the holding members  276  have heating members  278 , respectively. After a predetermined number of banknotes are stored in the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  in the banknote storage mechanism  272 , before the banknote storage bag  274  is taken out from the banknote storage mechanism  272 , the second holding member  276  is moved toward the first holding member  276 , and the holding members  276  touch each other. In this state, the heating member  278  heats a portion, near the opening portion, of the banknote storage bag  274 , whereby the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is heat-sealed (thermally sealed). In the banknote storage mechanism  272 , instead of the second holding member  276  being moved toward the first holding member  276 , both the holding members  276  may be moved toward each other up to the center position, and the holding members  276  may touch each other at the center position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , the stacking unit  260  is provided with the holding/transport mechanism  270  that holds the surface of the banknotes P stacked in the stacking unit  260 , and transport the banknotes P in the direction parallel to the surface, thereby storing the banknotes P in the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  of the banknote storage mechanism  272 . More specifically, the holding/transport mechanism  270  can hold the surface of the banknote P disposed on the forefront surface side and the surface of the banknote P disposed on the rearmost surface side, among the plurality of banknotes P stacked in the stacking unit  260 , and collectively transport the plurality of banknotes P to the banknote storage mechanism  272  (see an arrow B 1  in  FIG. 20 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , a door  284  is disposed on the front surface of the storage housing  280 . When the door  284  is opened, each holding member  276  of the banknote storage mechanism  272  can be caused to hold the banknote storage bag  274  or the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  can be taken out from the storage housing  280  to the outside. More specifically, the door  284  is provided with a handle  282  and an electromagnetic key (not shown). The electromagnetic key is controlled so as to be unlocked, and the handle  282  is turned, to open the door  284 . The banknote storage bag  274  is collected from the storage housing  280  by a guard of a cash-in-transit company, or the like. The banknote storage bag  274  collected from the storage housing  280  by the guard of the cash-in-transit company, or the like is transferred to a cash center of the cash-in-transit company. 
     Next, flow of banknotes which are inserted in the banknote depositing machine  210  and flow of a valuable medium which is inserted from the outside will be briefly described. In a case where banknotes are inserted in the banknote depositing machine  210 , when a plurality of banknotes are placed on the placement unit  220 , banknotes are taken in into the housing  210   a , one by one, by the receptacle unit  225 , and recognized by the recognition unit  240 , and thereafter transported to the stacking unit  260  or the reject unit  265 . Thereafter, banknotes stacked in the stacking unit  260  are stored in the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  of the banknote storage mechanism  272 . In a case where a valuable medium is inserted in the banknote depositing machine  210 , the shutter mechanism  262  of the stacking unit  260  is opened, and, when an envelope that contains the valuable medium is set in the stacking unit  260 , the envelope that contains the valuable medium is stored in the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  of the banknote storage mechanism  272 . 
     Thus, in the banknote depositing machine  210  shown in  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20 , the banknotes P and the valuable mediums are stored so as to be mixed in the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  of the banknote storage mechanism  272 . The banknotes P and the valuable mediums stored in the banknote storage bag  274  are managed not under the authority of a store but under authority of a cash-in-transit company. 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , a display/input unit  215  which has a function of displaying predetermined information and a function of allowing data input is disposed in the housing  210   a  of the banknote depositing machine  210 . The display/input unit  215  includes a monitor  215   a  for displaying, for example, a result of counting the banknotes P, and a plurality of input keys  215   b  that allow an operator to input various instructions. On the monitor  215   a , for example, the number of the banknotes P, for each denomination, stored in the banknote storage bag  274  is displayed. The plurality of input keys  215   b  include a menu key, an exchange key, a clearing key, an acceptance key, an arrow key representing upward, downward, leftward, and rightward directions, a shift key, a mode key, a closing key, a collection key, a start/stop key, and the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , in the housing  210   a  of the banknote depositing machine  210 , a printer  216  for printing, for example, a result of counting the banknotes P, a numeric key  217  that allows an operator to perform various inputs into the control unit  250  described below, and a card reader  218  for reading an ID card of an operator in order to obtain identification information of the operator, are disposed. 
     The banknote depositing machine  210  shown in  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20  includes the control unit  250  as shown in  FIG. 21 . The control unit  250  controls the components of the banknote depositing machine  210 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , the receptacle unit  225 , the transport unit  230 , the recognition unit  240 , the shutter mechanism  262 , the holding/transport mechanism  270 , the banknote storage mechanism  272 , the display/input unit  215 , the printer  216 , the numeric key  217 , the card reader  218 , and the like are connected to the control unit  250 . Recognition/count information, of the banknotes P, obtained through recognition/counting by the recognition unit  240  is transmitted to the control unit  250 . Various instructions inputted by an operator through each input key  215   b  of the display/input unit  215  or the numeric key  217  are transmitted to the control unit  250 . Furthermore, for example, identification information, of an operator, read by the card reader  218  is also transmitted to the control unit  250 . The control unit  250  transmits an instruction signal to each component such as the receptacle unit  225 , the transport unit  230 , the shutter mechanism  262 , the holding/transport mechanism  270 , the banknote storage mechanism  272 , the display/input unit  215 , and the printer  216 , and controls the components. 
     As shown in  FIG. 21 , a memory unit  254  is connected to the control unit  250 . In the memory unit  254 , for example, information, to be preset, such as device identification information for identifying the banknote depositing machine  210 , identification information of an operator who is allowed to use the device, and a result of counting the banknotes P are stored. 
     As shown in  FIG. 21 , a communication interface unit  256  is connected to the control unit  250 . The control unit  250  can transmit a signal to and receive a signal from an external device via the communication interface unit  256 . 
     Next, an operation performed by the banknote depositing machine  210  having such a configuration will be described. 
     Firstly, an operator inputs an instruction for performing depositing of the banknotes P, into the control unit  250 , by using the display/input unit  215 . More specifically, the operator selects a command for “counting/depositing” by using the display/input unit  215 . At this time, the identification information of the operator is also inputted into the control unit  250  by using each input key  215   b  of the display/input unit  215 , and/or the numeric key  217 , or the card reader  218 . When the control unit  250  receives such a signal, the control unit  250  controls the shutter mechanism  262  such that the shutter mechanism  262  cannot be opened. Subsequently, when the operator places a plurality of banknotes P on the placement unit  220 , the plurality of banknotes P placed on the placement unit  220  are taken in into the machine one by one by the receptacle unit  225 . At this time, among the plurality of banknotes P placed on the placement unit  220 , the banknote P disposed on the lowermost position is kicked by the kicker roller  226  and fed out by the feed roller  227   a , whereby the banknotes P are fed out one by one by action of the gate roller  227   b.    
     Subsequently, the banknotes P taken in by the receptacle unit  225  are transported by the transport unit  230 . At this time, the recognition unit  240  disposed at the transport unit  230  recognizes and counts the banknotes P transported by the transport unit  230 . Thus, in a case where abnormality in recognition or abnormality in transporting occurs when the banknotes P are transported by the transport unit  230 , the banknotes P are transported to the reject unit  265 . Meanwhile, when such abnormality in recognition or abnormality in transporting does not occur, the banknotes P being transported are sent to the stacking unit  260 . When the banknotes P are transported to the stacking unit  260 , each banknote P is received between the vanes  235   a  of the stacking wheel  235 , and the banknotes P are aligned and stacked in the stacking unit  260 . The banknotes P sent by the stacking wheel  235  are stacked in the stacking unit  260  in a standing state so as to be tilted toward the front surface side. On the display/input unit  215 , the total monetary amount of the banknotes P stacked in the stacking unit  260  is displayed. The recognition result (the number and the total monetary amount of banknotes for each denomination) is stored in the memory unit  254  so as to be associated with identification information of the operator. 
     As described above, when all the plurality of banknotes P placed on the placement unit  220  are transported to the stacking unit  260 , and the banknotes P are no longer in the placement unit  220 , display for requesting an instruction for accepting the total monetary amount of the banknotes P stacked in the stacking unit  260  is displayed on the display/input unit  215 . When the operator inputs acceptance instruction through the display/input unit  215  (specifically, when the operator presses the acceptance key on the display/input unit  215 ), the plurality of banknotes P stacked in the stacking unit  260  are stored, by the holding/transport mechanism  270 , in the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  of the banknote storage mechanism  272  (see the arrow B 1  in  FIG. 20 ). When the banknotes P have been stored in the banknote storage bag  274 , the banknotes P in the banknote storage bag  274  are managed not under authority of the store but under authority of the cash-in-transit company. When the banknotes P are in the reject unit  265 , the operator places again the banknotes P in the placement unit  220 , the same handling steps as described above are repeated, and all the banknotes P are transported to the stacking unit  260 . However, the banknote P, which has been transported to the reject unit  265  although the banknote P has been handled several times, is determined as the banknote P which cannot be received, and eliminated from banknotes to be stored. When the operator cannot accept the total monetary amount, the operator inputs a return instruction through the display/input unit  215 . In this case, the shutter mechanism  262  is opened, the stacked banknotes P can be taken out from the stacking unit  260  (see an arrow B 2  in  FIG. 20 ), the operator takes out the banknotes P stacked in the stacking unit  260 , from the front surface of the housing  210   a , and the handling is ended. 
     Next, an operation performed by the banknote depositing machine  210  when banknotes are collected will be described. When, for example, a guard of a cash-in-transit company collects the banknote storage bag  274  storing banknotes, from the banknote depositing machine  210 , the electromagnetic key is firstly controlled so as to be unlocked by the guard, and the handle  282  is subsequently turned, to open the door  284 . When the electromagnetic key has been unlocked by the guard, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  in the banknote storage mechanism  272  is heat-sealed (thermally sealed) by each heating member  278 . The guard opens the door  284 , and thereafter detaches the banknote storage bag  274  from each holding member  276 , thereby taking out and collecting the banknote storage bag  274  to the outside of the storage housing  280 . As described above, the banknote storage bag  274  collected from the storage housing  280  by the guard of the cash-in-transit company, or the like is transferred to a cash center of the cash-in-transit company. 
     Next, an operation performed when a valuable medium, other than cash, such as an unfit note, deformed coin, a voucher, and a check which cannot be recognized by the recognition unit  240  of the banknote depositing machine  210  is stored directly into the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  of the banknote storage mechanism  272 , will be described. The operation described below is performed based on a signal transmitted to each component from the control unit  250  unless otherwise specified. 
     Firstly, an operator inputs an instruction for storing a valuable medium other than the banknotes P in the banknote storage bag  274 , into the control unit  250 , by using the display/input unit  215 . More specifically, the operator selects a command for “depositing of valuable medium (depositing of non-cash medium)” by using the display/input unit  215 . At this time, identification information of the operator is also inputted into the control unit  250  by using each input key  215   b  of the display/input unit  215 , and/or the numeric key  217 , or the card reader  218 . The operator inputs information on the valuable medium, specifically, a monetary amount or the like of the valuable medium, into the control unit  250 , by using each input key  215   b  of the display/input unit  215 , and/or the numeric key  217 , and presses the acceptance key. Thus, information, on the valuable medium, inputted into the control unit  250  by the operator is printed as a journal by the printer  216 . At this time, the shutter mechanism  262  is opened by the control unit  250 , and an envelope which contains the valuable medium can be inserted in the stacking unit  260 . 
     Thereafter, the operator sets, in the stacking unit  260 , the envelope that contains the valuable medium and the journal on which information on the valuable medium is printed, and presses the acceptance key, whereby the shutter mechanism  262  is closed. The envelope that contains the valuable medium and the journal that have been set in the stacking unit  260 , are stored in the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  of the banknote storage mechanism  272  by the holding/transport mechanism  270  (see the arrow B 1  in  FIG. 20 ). When the envelope that contains the valuable medium has been stored in the banknote storage bag  274 , the valuable medium in the banknote storage bag  274  is managed not under authority of the store but under authority of the cash-in-transit company. Thus, an operation for storing the valuable medium in the banknote storage bag  274  is ended. 
     In the banknote depositing machine  210  shown in  FIG. 19  to  FIG. 21 , not only valuable mediums associated with the monetary amounts, but also mediums which are not associated with the monetary amount may be stored in the banknote storage bag  274 . Specifically, as a medium which is not associated with the monetary amount, for example, a sales slip of a store, a discount coupon and a service ticket issued by the store, a journal on which proceeds from sales for a day other than the current day are printed, or a letter or a communication book being brought back and forth between the store and the cash-in-transit company, and the like may be stored in the banknote storage bag  274 . In this case, these mediums are sent together with the banknote storage bag  274  from the store to the cash-in-transit company, or from the cash-in-transit company to the store. The medium which is not associated with the monetary amount can be also stored directly into the banknote storage bag  274  from the front surface of the housing  210   a  by opening the shutter mechanism  262  without transporting the medium through the receptacle unit  225 , the transport unit  230 , and the recognition unit  240 . 
     In the banknote depositing machine  210  shown in  FIG. 19  to  FIG. 21 , the shutter mechanism  262  functions as an opening and closing unit for opening and closing a path between the outside of the housing  210   a , and the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276 . The shutter mechanism  262  is used as a regulation unit for selectively regulating access to the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276 . The control unit  250  controls the shutter mechanism  262  as the regulation unit so as to allow access to the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is opened, when a predetermined condition has been satisfied. More specifically, as described above, in a case where a command for “depositing of valuable medium (depositing of non-cash medium)” is selected through the display/input unit  215 , and, thus, an instruction for inserting valuable mediums and the like directly into the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  without transporting the valuable mediums and the like through the receptacle unit  225 , the transport unit  230 , and the recognition unit  240 , is inputted, the control unit  250  determines that the predetermined condition has been satisfied, and the shutter mechanism  262  is opened so as to allow access to the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is opened. In a case where authority of an operator authenticated by using each input key  215   b  of the display/input unit  215 , and/or the numeric key  217 , or the card reader  218  is a predetermined authority (for example, manager or store manager of the store), the control unit  250  may determine that the predetermined condition has been satisfied, and the shutter mechanism  262  may be opened so as to allow access to the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is opened. Thus, the control unit  250  controls the shutter mechanism  262  as the regulation unit so as to allow a valuable medium or the like to be stored directly into the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  without transporting the valuable medium or the like through the receptacle unit  225 , the transport unit  230 , and the recognition unit  240 , when the predetermined condition has been satisfied. 
     In the banknote depositing machine  210  shown in  FIG. 19  to  FIG. 21 , information on a valuable medium or the like that is stored directly into the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  without transporting the valuable medium or the like through the receptacle unit  225 , the transport unit  230 , and the recognition unit  240 , may be inputted by each input key  215   b  of the display/input unit  215  and/or the numeric key  217 . Thus, the control unit  250  can manage information on the valuable medium or the like which is stored directly into the banknote storage bag  274 . Information on the valuable medium or the like which is stored directly into the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  without transporting the valuable medium or the like through the receptacle unit  225 , the transport unit  230 , and the recognition unit  240 , and information (that is, information on banknotes stored in the banknote storage bag  274  by depositing of the banknotes) on banknotes which are stored into the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  through the receptacle unit  225 , the transport unit  230 , and the recognition unit  240  may be managed, by the control unit  250 , so as to be distinguished from each other. 
     In the banknote storage mechanism  272 , in a case where the shutter mechanism  262  is opened to allow access to the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is opened, the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  may be sealed by each heating member  278  in a manner different from a manner for a case where access to the banknote storage bag  274  is not allowed. Specifically, in a case where access to the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  is allowed in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is opened, when the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is sealed by each heating member  278 , a specific character or mark may be formed near a portion at which the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is sealed, or the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  may be sealed at a plurality of portions. In this case, when the banknote storage bag  274  is collected from the storage housing  280  of the banknote depositing machine  210 , a guard of a cash-in-transit company, or the like can easily know that a valuable medium or the like may have been additionally stored in the banknote storage bag  274  or a banknote may have been taken out from the banknote storage bag  274 . In another example, in a case where the shutter mechanism  262  is opened to allow access to the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is opened, and an operator inputs, through each input key  215   b  of the display/input unit  215 , and/or the numeric key  217 , information on the valuable medium or the like that is stored directly in the banknote storage bag  274  without transporting the valuable medium or the like through the receptacle unit  225 , the transport unit  230 , and the recognition unit  240 , when the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is sealed by each heating member  278 , characters or a mark indicating that the valuable medium or the like has been stored into the banknote storage bag  274  may be formed near a portion at which the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is sealed. 
     As described above, similarly to the banknote handling machine  10  according to the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 7 , the banknote depositing machine  210  according to the third embodiment shown in  FIG. 19  to  FIG. 21  also includes: the holding members  276  as a holding unit for holding a storage bag in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is opened or in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is sealed; the heating members  278  as a sealing unit for sealing the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276 ; and the shutter mechanism  262  as a regulation unit for selectively regulating access to the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276 . The control unit  250  controls the shutter mechanism  262  as the regulation unit so as to allow access to the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is opened, when a predetermined condition has been satisfied. Thus, when the predetermined condition has been satisfied, a sheet such as a valuable medium can be additionally stored into the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  or a banknote can be taken out from the banknote storage bag  274  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is opened, by allowing access to the banknote storage bag  274  held by each holding member  276  in a state where the opening portion of the banknote storage bag  274  is opened. 
     The sheet handling apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to an apparatus such as the banknote handling machine  10  shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 7  or the banknote depositing machine  210  shown in  FIG. 19  to  FIG. 21  for performing handling of banknotes. As the sheet handling apparatus according to the present invention, an apparatus for performing handling of a sheet (for example, voucher, check, coupon, and the like) other than a banknote may be used.