Automatic paper feed apparatus

Apparatus for automatic feeding of paper from a paper roll, comprising:

• a receptacle adapted to receive a roll of paper to be fed, said receptacle being open at the top to permit a paper roll to be placed therein, and having side walls and a curved lower wall to receive the paper roll;
• a wall member pivotally mounted within said receptacle and movable with respect to said receptacle, said wall member in a normal position being generally parallel to a portion of said lower wall to form a guide chute having an entry portion and an exit portion to guide movement of paper unwound from said paper roll;
• a guide roll mounted on a shaft in a recessed lower portion of the receptacle to rotate freely for supporting said paper roll for rotational movement within the receptacle;
• first feed roll means mounted on a shaft within said receptacle adjacent said wall member and adjacent the entry portion of said guide chute for engaging and driving said paper roll for rotational movement within said receptacle to cause an end portion of paper from said paper roll to be driven into said entry portion of said guide chute;
• second feed roll means mounted to engage paper from said paper roll within the guide chute to drive said paper toward the exit portion of said guide chute;
• and
• pressure roll means mounted by mounting means on said wall member and extending through an opening in said wall member in cooperative relation to said second feed roll means for causing movement of paper through said guide chute.