A system and method for automatically logging article use and an article adapted for such

Abstract

A system and method for automatically logging data to a particular use of an article, in particular the use of a boning or carving knife (37) in a meat works. The knife (37) having identifying means (39) incorporated therein to identify a unique code for the particular knife (37). A reader (33) is provided at a reading station to automatically read the unique code of a knife (37) passed adjacent the reader (33). Data logging means is associated with the reader (33) to log the unique code and the time at which the unique code was read by the reader (33). The data logging means (35) is associated with one or more readers (33) and reading stations located in an area (11) where the knife (37) is to be used. The area (11) has reading stations associated with one or more treatment or storage locations for the knife (37) at which a reader (33) is disposed in a manner so that any passage of a knife (37) from or to the treatment or storage location requires the article to be passed adjacent to the reader (33) to enable the unique code of the knife (37) to be automatically read by the reader (33). One of the treatment or storage locations includes a steriliser (21) for sanitising the knife (37) at prescribed intervals. An alarm and reminder alarm may also be associated with the system to alert an operator of the knife (37) when it is due for sanitising or if it hasn't been sanitised properly. The application of the system to gloves and other articles is also described.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for the automatic recording of data relating to the specific use of an item to enable monitoring and control of the use of the item for hygienic reasons on the basis of the data thus recorded. The present invention is particularly applicable to the use of knives in the meat, fish, and food processing industries in general. [0002] Throughout the specification, unless the context dictates otherwise, the word "comprise" or other expressions such as "both" and "comprises" will be understood to indicate the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer. or an array of integers. Background technique [0003] In the meat and fish processing industry, knives are widely used for skinning and deboning animal carcasses after slaughter, and are often used to cut different types of meat and fish in large quantities for human consumption. ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In fact, the knife handler is often so engrossed in his or her work that he or she is unaware of the regular sanitization time, so this is often ignored unconsciously

[0007] Another problem with using knives in this environment is that they tend to shift, for example, from the skinning work area of ​​the carcass to another work area for evisceration, to another work area for final cutting of the meat, to the main work area. Another area where the sharpening room is located

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