A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY LOGGING ARTICLE USE AND AN ARTICLE ADAPTED FOR SUCH

摘要

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 kni fe (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 b e 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 wit h 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.