Patent ID: 6786660
Filing Date: 2004-09-07
Classification: B65H,Y10S

Abstract:
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; 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 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; 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.