Identifying carcasses in abattoir - by applying machine-readable markings to abattoir hooks

摘要

Abattoir hooks are provided with a machine-readable marking, to allow identification of a suspended carcass (portion) at the desired location in an abattoir, by (a) cleaning and removing a previous marking from a marking region of the hook; (b) applying a coloured background to cover any residues of a previous marking and to provide a background for the new marking; and (c) applying a marking of contrasting colour onto the background. Also claimed are (i) an abattoir hook having a machine readable marking of contrasting colour on a coloured background; (ii) an abattoir hook having a machine-readable marking formed directly in the hook or in a label attached to the hook; and (iii) a method of identifying carcasses (or portions) on abattoir hooks, in which the hooks are provided with identification holes at various heights, the hole heights of hooks before and/or after the hook to be identified are detected and stored as a sequence associated with the hook, and each hook is identified from its associated, stored, hole height sequence. ADVANTAGE - The hooks can be machine-identified in a rational and inexpensive manner without the need for detachable reusable labels.