Patent ID: 7677545

Claim:
A paper-sheet storing and feeding device adapted to temporarily stack paper-sheets fed from the exterior and then bring them into a stored state as well as adapted to feed out the paper-sheets in the stored state to the exterior, the paper-sheet storing and feeding device comprising: a receptacle adapted for placing the paper-sheets thereon in a standing state; a stacking and feeding mechanism adapted to successively carry the paper-sheets fed from the exterior, into the receptacle, upon temporarily stacking the paper-sheets, as well as configured to be in contact with a forefront paper-sheet in the receptacle and then feed out the forefront paper-sheet, upon feeding out the paper-sheets in the stored state: a pushing member provided on the side of the forefront paper-sheet in the receptacle, and configured to be optionally advanced and retracted relative to the forefront paper-sheet, such that when advanced, the pushing member can press the forefront paper-sheet backward so as to disconnect the paper-sheet from the stacking and feeding mechanism, while when retracted, the pushing member can be moved away from the forefront paper-sheet so as to bring the paper-sheet into contact with the stacking and feeding mechanism; a holding member provided to be in contact with a backmost paper-sheet in the receptacle, and configured to be optionally advanced and retracted relative to the stacking and feeding mechanism; a storage space defined between the stacking and feeding mechanism and the holding member in the receptacle, and adapted for storing the paper-sheets therein; a retaining member provided to be optionally advanced and retracted relative to the storage space, such that when advanced, the retaining member can be in contact with the forefront paper-sheet among the paper-sheets moved to be spaced away from the stacking and feeding mechanism due to the pushing member in the receptacle so as to hold the paper-sheets between the retaining member and the holding member and bring them into a temporary holding state, while when retracted, the retaining member can release the paper-sheets; and a drive mechanism configured to operate the pushing member, the holding member and the retaining member, such that the holding member can be retracted to be moved away from the stacking and feeding mechanism while the pushing member can be advanced, and the retaining member can be advanced into the storage space so as to bring the paper-sheets having been moved to be spaced away from the stacking and feeding mechanism due to the pushing member in the receptacle, into the temporary holding state, thereby defining a temporary stacking space, and such that upon bringing the paper-sheets newly stacked in the temporary stacking space due to the stacking and feeding mechanism, into the stored state, the holding member can be advanced toward the stacking and feeding mechanism while the retaining member can be retracted from the forefront paper-sheet in the temporary holding state in the receptacle.