Patent ID: 7934716

Claim:
A paper sheet separating and accumulating apparatus comprising: an accumulating portion having an elevating plate and being arranged to accumulate paper sheets on said elevating plate; an accumulating carrier path through which the paper sheets enter into said accumulating portion to be accumulated on said elevating plate; a separating carrier path through which paper sheets are discharged from said accumulating portion; a two-way carrier path through which both of said accumulated paper sheets and said discharged paper sheets pass; a branch portion branching said two-way carrier path into said accumulating carrier path and said separating carrier path; and a movable portion that is movable upon being pressed by the paper sheets accumulated on said elevating plate to a sheet discharge position at which said elevating plate is positioned to discharge the paper sheets from said accumulating portion, wherein said movable portion has a shielding portion arranged to shield said two-way carrier path from said accumulating carrier path upon said movable portion being moved to said sheet discharge position.