Carrying devices (11) carrying processed articles are stored at coded processed-article storage locations (10) and unloaded article carriers are stored at unloaded-carrier storage locations (13). A customer's token is scanned and an unloaded article carrier is taken from its storage location (13) and delivered to him by transport means (18 to 20), he arranges for his article for processing to be carried away by the article carrier and a computer records a newly created relationship between his token and the article carrier. After processing, his article is stored at a selected processed-article storage location (10) and a computer records a newly created relationship between his token and the selected storage location. When the customer re-presents his token, the processed article is taken from the selected storage location and delivered to the customer by the transport means (18 to 20). Before the unloaded article carrier is taken from its unloaded-carrier storage location (13), the computer may record a newly created relationship between the article carrier and the storage location.
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