Printing apparatus and paper holding device

A paper holding device for use in a printing apparatus, comprising:

• a first assembly comprising a first belt provided to extend between two pulleys;
• a second assembly provided to face the first assembly, the second assembly comprising a second belt provided to extend between two pulleys;
• and
• a paper stopper disposed between the two pulleys of the second assembly and configured to temporarily hold a plurality of printed paper sheets provided sequentially from a printing mechanism through a gap between the first and second assemblies, and further configured to collectively discharge the plurality of printed paper sheets to the outside of the printing apparatus.

A printing apparatus, comprising:

• a printing mechanism configured to print information on a plurality of paper sheets;
• a paper holding mechanism provided downstream from the printing mechanism in a paper feed direction and configured to temporarily hold the plurality of printed paper sheets provided sequentially from the printing mechanism along a first conveying path;
• and
• a control unit configured to control the paper holding mechanism to collectively discharge the plurality of printed paper sheets outside of the apparatus.