Patent ID: 6234696
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
Apparatus for automatically loading paper from a paper supply roll into a printer that includes:a housing containing a bin for holding a roll of supply paper and a drive roll arranged to rotate in one direction about a horizontal axis,a guide mounted adjacent a downwardly moving section of said drive roll to form a paper path therebetween, said paper path converging from a wide entrance region to a narrower exit region whereby the front section of a supply roll contained in said bin can be drawn over the top of said entrance region,a cover mounted over said entrance region that is movable between a first closed position against the housing and a second open position wherein a new roll of paper can be loaded into said bin, andbiasing means mounted on said cover for moving into the entrance region of said paper path when said cover is moved from an open position into a closed position to hold a section of paper positioned over the entrance region in friction driving contact against said roll whereby a fold is formed in said section of the paper and is moved by said drive roll through said paper path.