Detectable spool and associated hub

A hub for use in conjunction with a spool having a quantity of material wrapped thereon, the material having a number of known characteristics, the hub comprising:

• a core including a central axis;
• the core being structured to be disposed on the spool;
• an indication member;
• the indication member including a support, at least a first tab, and a second tab;
• the at least first tab being an at least first home tab and defining a home position of the indication member;
• the second tab being a characteristic tab;
• the support being mounted on the core;
• the at least first and second tabs being disposed on the support;
• the at least first and second tabs each including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis of the core;
• the second tab being oriented at one of a plurality of known angles with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• the orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab corresponding with the characteristics of the material;
• and
• wherein the support is substantially embedded in the core.

A hub for use in conjunction with a spool having a quantity of material wrapped thereon, the material having a number of known characteristics, the hub comprising:

• a core including a central axis;
• the core being structured to be disposed on the spool;
• an indication member;
• the indication member including a support, at least a first tab, and a second tab;
• the at least first tab being an at least first home tab and defining a home position of the indication member;
• the second tab being a characteristic tab;
• the support being mounted on the core;
• the at least first and second tabs being disposed on the support;
• the at least first and second tabs each including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis of the core;
• the second tab being oriented at one of a plurality of known angles with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• the orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab corresponding with the characteristics of the material;
• wherein the support includes a first support portion and a second support portion that are separated from one another;
• the at least first tab being disposed on and extending from the first support portion;
• and
• the second tab being disposed on and extending from the second support portion.

A hub for use in conjunction with a spool, the hub comprising:

• a core including a central axis;
• the core being structured to be disposed on the spool;
• an indication member;
• the indication member including a support and at least a first tab;
• the support being mounted on the core;
• the at least first tab being disposed on the support;
• and
• the at least first tab including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis of the core
• the support being substantially embedded in the core;
• wherein the at least first tab is substantially embedded in the core;
• a window is formed in the core;
• and
• the window extending between the at least first tab and the exterior of the core.

A method of employing a hub of a type being structured for use in conjunction with a spool having a quantity of material wrapped thereon, the material having a number of known characteristics, for determining at least a first known characteristic of the number of known characteristics of the material, the method comprising:

• employing a core having a central axis and being structured to be disposed on the spool;
• and
• employing an indication member, the indication member including a support, at least a first tab, and a second tab;
• employing the at least first tab as an at least first home tab defining a home position of the indication member;
• employing the second tab as a characteristic tab, the support being mounted on the core, the at least first and second tabs being disposed on the support, the at least first and second tabs each including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis or the core, the second tab being oriented at one of a plurality of known angles with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• detecting the orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• employing the detected orientation of the second tab with resect to the at least first home tab to determine said at least a first known characteristic of the number of known characteristics of the material, the support, the at least first tab, and the second tab each being of a generally planar configuration.

A hub for use in conjunction with a spool having a quantity of material wrapped thereon, the material having a number of known characteristics, the hub comprising:

• a core having a central axis being structured to be disposed on the spool;
• and
• an indication member;
• the indication member including a support, at least a first tab, and a second tab;
• the at least first tab being an at least first home tab and defining a home position of the indication member;
• the second tab being a characteristic tab;
• the support being mounted on the core;
• the at least first and second tabs being disposed on the support;
• the at least first and second tabs each including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis of the core;
• the second tab being oriented at one of a plurality of known angles with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• the orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab corresponding with the characteristics of the material;
• and
• the support, the at least first tab, and the second tab each being of a generally planar configuration;
• and
• wherein the support is substantially embedded in the core.

A hub for use in conjunction with a spool having a quantity of material wrapped thereon, the material having a number of known characteristics, the hub comprising:

• a core having a central axis and being structured to be disposed on the spool;
• and
• an indication member;
• the indication member including a support at least a first tab, and a second tab;
• the at least first tab being an at least first home tab and defining a home position of the indication member;
• the second tab being a characteristic tab:
• the support being mounted on the core;
• the at least first and second tabs being disposed on the support;
• the at least first and second tabs each including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis of the core;
• the second tab being oriented at one of a plurality of known angles with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• the orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab corresponding with the characteristics of the material;
• and
• the support, the at least first tab, and the second tab each being of a generally planar configuration;
• wherein the support includes a first support portion and a second support portion that are separated from one another;
• the at least first tab being disposed on and extending from the first support portion;
• and
• the second tab being disposed on and extending from the second support portion.

A hub for use in conjunction with a spool, the hub comprising:

• a core structured to be disposed on the spool;
• and
• an indication member;
• the indication member including a support and at least a first tab;
• the support being mounted on the core;
• the at least first tab being disposed on the support;
• the support and the at least first tab each being of a generally planar configuration;
• wherein the at least first tab is substantially embedded in the core;
• a window being formed in the core;
• and
• the window extending between the at least first tab and the exterior of the core.

A method for employing a detectable spool in a printer, the method comprising:

• employing a spool including a central axis and being structured to have a quantity of material wrapped thereon, the material having a number of known characteristics;
• employing indication means disposed on the spool, the indication means including an indication member, the indication member including a support, at least a first tab, and a second tab;
• and the at least first and second tabs each including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis;
• employing the at least first tab as an at least first home tab defining a home position of the indication member;
• employing the second tab as a characteristic tab, the second tab being oriented at one of a plurality of known angles with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• detecting the orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• employing the detected orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab to determine at least a first known characteristic of the number of known characteristics of the material.

A detectable spool for use in a printer, the detectable spool comprising:

• a spool including a central axis and being structured to have a quality of material wrapped thereon, the material having a number of known characteristics;
• indication means disposed on the spool;
• the indication means including an indication member;
• the indication member including a support, at least a first tab, and a second tab;
• and
• the at least first and second tabs each including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis;
• the at least first tab being an at least first home tab and defining a home position of the indication member;
• the second tab being a characteristic tab;
• the second tab being oriented at one of a plurality of known angles with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• the orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab corresponding with the characteristics of the material;
• wherein the indication means further includes a core;
• the support being substantially embedded in the core;
• and
• the core being disposed on the spool.

A detectable spool for use in a printer, the detectable spool comprising:

• a spool including a central axis and being structured to have a quantity of material wrapped thereon, the material having a number of blown characteristics;
• indication means disposed on the spool;
• the indication means including an indication member;
• the indication member including a support, at least a first tab, and a second tab;
• and
• the at least first and second tabs each including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis;
• the at least first tab being an at least first home tab an defining a home position of the indication member;
• the second tab being a characteristic tab;
• the second tab being oriented at one of a plurality of known angles with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• the orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab corresponding with the characteristics of the material;
• wherein the support includes a first support portion and a second support portion that are separated from one another;
• the at least first tab being disposed on and extending from the first support portion;
• and
• the second tab being disposed on and extending from the second support portion.

A detectable spool for use in a printer, the detectable spool comprising:

• a spool including a central axis;
• indication means disposed on the spool;
• the indication means including an indication member;
• the indication member including a support and at least a first tab;
• the at least first tab including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis
• the indication means further including a core;
• the support being substantially embedded in the core;
• the core being disposed on the spool;
• wherein the at least first tab is substantially embedded in the core;
• a window being formed in the core;
• and
• the window extending between the at least first tab and the exterior of the core.

A method for employing a detectable spool in a printer, the method comprising:

• employing a spool having a central axis and being structured to have a quantity of material wrapped thereon, the material having a number of known characteristics;
• and
• employing indication means disposed on the spool, the indication means including an indication member, the indication member including a support, at least a first tab, and a second tab;
• employing the at least first tab as an at least first home tab defining a home position of the indication member;
• employing the second tab as a characteristic tab, the at least first and second tabs each including an elongated dimension that extends, in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis of the core, the second tab being oriented at one of a plurality of known angles with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• detecting the orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• employing the detected orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab to determine at least a first known characteristic of the number of known characteristics of the material, the support, the at least first tab, and the second tab each being of a generally planar configuration.

A detectable spool for use in a printer, the detectable spool comprising:

• a spool having a central axis and being structured to have a quantity of material wrapped thereon, the material having a number of known characteristics;
• and
• indication means disposed on the spool;
• the indication naps including an indication member:
• the indication member including a support, at least a first tab, and a second tab;
• the at least first tab being an at least first home tab and defining a home position of the indication member;
• the second tab being a characteristic tab;
• the at least first and second tabs each including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis of the core;
• the second tab being oriented at one of a plurality of known angles with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• the orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab corresponding with the characteristics of the material;
• and
• the support, the at least first tab, and the second tab each being of a generally planar configuration;
• wherein the indication means further includes a core;
• the support being substantially embedded in the core;
• and
• the core being disposed on the spool.

A detectable spool for use in a printer, the detectable spool comprising:

• a spool having a central axis and being structured to have a quantity of material wrapped thereon, the material having a number of known characteristics;
• and
• indication means disposed on the spool;
• the indication means including an indication member;
• the indication member including a support, at least a first tab, and a second tab;
• the at least first tab being an at least first home tab and defining a home position of the indication member;
• the second tab being a characteristic tab;
• the at least first and second tabs each including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis of the core;
• the second tab being oriented at one of a plurality of known angles with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• the orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab corresponding with the characteristics of the material;
• and
• the support, the at least first tab, and the second tab each being of a generally planar configuration;
• wherein the support includes a first support portion and a second support portion that are separated from one another;
• the at least first tab being disposed on and extending from the first support portion;
• and
• the second tab being disposed on and extending from the second support portion.

A detectable spool for use in a printer, the detectable spool comprising:

• a spool;
• and
• indication means disposed on the spool;
• the indication means including an indication member;
• the indication member including a support and at least a first tab;
• the support and the at least first tab each being of a generally planar configuration;
• the indication means further including a core;
• the support being substantially embedded in the core;
• the core being disposed on the spool;
• wherein the at least first tab is substantially embedded in the core;
• a window being formed in the core;
• and
• the window extending between the at least first tab and the exterior of the core.

A method of employing a hub of a type being structured for use in conjunction with a spool having a quantity of material wrapped thereon, the material having a number of known characteristics, for determining at least a first known characteristic of the number of known characteristics of the material, the method comprising:

• employing a core including a central axis, the core being structured to be disposed on the spool;
• and
• employing an indication member, the indication member including a support and a plurality of tabs;
• employing a first tab of the plurality of tabs as an at least first home tab and defining a home position of the indication member;
• employing a second tab of the plurality of tabs as a characteristic tab, the support being mounted on the core, the tabs being disposed on the support the at least first and second tabs each including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis of the core, the second tab being oriented at one of a plurality of known angles with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• detecting the orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• employing the detected orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab to determine said at least a first known characteristic of the number of known characteristics of the material, the support extending between the tabs.

A hub for use in conjunction with a spool having a quantity of material wrapped thereon, the material having a number of known characteristics, the hub comprising:

• a core including a central axis;
• the core being structured to be disposed on the spool;
• and
• an indication member;
• the indication member including a support and a plurality of tabs;
• a first tab of the plurality of tabs being an at least first home tab and defining a home position of the indication member;
• a second tab of the plurality of tabs being a characteristic tab;
• the support being mounted on the core;
• the tabs being disposed on the support;
• the at least first and second tabs each including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis of the core;
• the second tab being oriented at one of a plurality of known angles with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• the orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab corresponding with the characteristics of the material;
• the support extending between the tabs;
• and
• wherein the support is substantially embedded in the core.

A hub for use in conjunction with a spool having a quantity of material wrapped thereon, the material having a number of known characteristics the hub comprising:

• a core including a central axis;
• the core being structured to be disposed on the spool;
• and
• an indication member;
• the indication member including a support and a plurality of tabs;
• a first tab of the plurality of tabs being an at least first home tab and defining a home position of the indication member;
• a second tab of the plurality of tabs being a characteristic tab;
• the support being mounted on the core;
• the tabs being disposed on the support;
• the at least first and second tabs each including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the central axis of the core;
• the second tab being oriented at one of a plurality of known angles with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• the orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab corresponding with the characteristics of the material;
• and
• the support extending between the tabs;
• wherein the support includes a first support portion and a second support portion that are separated from one another;
• one of the tabs being disposed on and extending from the first support portion;
• and
• another of the tabs being disposed on and extending from the second support portion.

A hub for use in conjunction with a spool, the hub comprising:

• a core including a central axis;
• the core being structured to be disposed on the spool;
• and
• an indication member;
• the indication member including a support and a plurality of tabs;
• the support being mounted on the core;
• the tabs being disposed on the support;
• and
• the support extending between the tabs;
• the support being substantially embedded in the core;
• wherein the tabs are substantially embedded in the core;
• a plurality of windows being formed in the core;
• and
• the windows each extending between one of the tabs and the exterior of the core.

A method of employing an indication member of a type being structured for incorporation into a detectable spool for use in a printer, the spool having a quantity of material wrapped thereon, the material having a number of known characteristics, the printer including a sensing apparatus, the method comprising:

• employing a support;
• employing a plurality of tabs;
• employing a first tab of the plurality of tabs as an at least first home tab defining a home position of the indication member;
• employing a second tab of the plurality of tabs as a characteristic tab, the support extending between the at least first and second tabs, the at least first and second tabs each including an elongated dimension that extends in a generally radial direction with respect to the support, the second tab being oriented at one of a plurality of known angles with respect to the at least first home tab;
• detecting the orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab;
• and
• employing the detected orientation of the second tab with respect to the at least first home tab to determine at least a first known characteristic of the number of known characteristics of the material, the at least first and second tabs protruding from the support, the tabs being structured to be detectable by the sensing apparatus.