GB2080264A - Garment retrieval - Google Patents

Abstract

A garment retrieval system has storage positions for garment deposits in bags. On a user inserting into a reader a card carrying data identifying the user, the data is fed to a micro-computer which ascertains from its memory whether the data is already correlated with a storage position; if so, any deposit at that position is conveyed to a common collect location; if not, the computer correlates it with a non-correlated position, an empty bag is conveyed to the collect location to receive the user's garment deposit and then the bag and deposit are conveyed to a deposit location.

Description

SPECIFICATION Garment retrieval This invention relates to a system for storing and issuing garments. More particularly, though not exclusively, it relates to apparatus for use in a semiautomatic or fully-automatic cleaning service in which a customer can deposit an order of one or more garments to be cleaned either with an attendant (semi-automatic cleaning service) or by means of an automatic deposit facility, and return later, after the order has been cleaned, and recover the order by inserting a card (throughout this specification, the word "card" shall be taken to include a reference to a token or the like) issued to the customer (once sufficient credit has been established) into a reader, whereupon the appropriate orderwill automatically be returned to the customer.

In a conventional manual-deposit system, an order to be cleaned is labelled in accordance with encoded data on a card, the data correlating with a particular storage position in the apparatus. The order is processed and then taken to the pre-allocated storage position in the apparatus. In a conventional automatic deposit system the user will have been issued with a card for which a particular storage position in the apparatus has been pre-allocated. When the card is inserted into the reader during a deposit sequence, the order will be received and automatically stored within the storage and issue apparatus ready to be removed manually for processing by cleaning staff who will return the order after cleaning to the allocated storage position ready for collection.The card issued to the user can be purchased for a sum of money to correspond to the cost of cleaning the order concerned, in which event the apparatus is arranged automatically to retain the card once the cleaned order has been returned to the user. Such a system is disclosed in British Patent Specifications 1,107,988 and 1,317,306. In another system such as is disclosed in British Patent Specification 1,423,135, a user is issued with a card for which he can pay any sum which he likesto place his account in credit.

Each time the user collects his order (comprising one or more cleaned garments), the card is actually returned to him but a debit, equivalent to the cieaning cost of the order concerned, has been made against the customer's credit value, by being noted by the operating staff. A card of this latter kind, with which a specific user is always allocated the same storage position, is referred to in the specification as a "specific Golden Key Card" (abbreviated to specific GKC).

In all of the above systems, it should specifically be noted that, for whatever kind of use the card is employed, that card is pre-allocated a storage position in the apparatus which is always the same for that card and different from vthe respective storage positions allocated to all the other cards. In practice, at any one time, a significant proportion of all the users who are carrying cards of one kind or the other will not have any garments stored in the apparatus (awaiting collection) for the garments of some users may be in the process of being cleaned, while other users may not have any garments in the cleaning service at that time.Particularly as the cost of renting adequate overall space to accommodate sufficient storage positions for all the customers to be served can be very high, for example when the apparatus is installed in blocks offlats or stored in a central location in a large city, it would clearly be greatly advantageous to be able to provide the same semiautomatic or automatic cleaning service within a much smaller overall space. Quite apart from this, growth in the volume of business might result in the available number of storage positions becoming insufficient.

According to the invention from one aspect there is provided ... (claim 1)....

Owing to the invention, it is possible to achieve a significant reduction in the number of storage positions required to serve a given number of users. In some circumstances a reduction approaching 80%, and thus to render the same service more economically.

The data is preferably provided on cards issued to individual users, the input means therefore including a card reader.

The control means can be in the form of searching means which, upon input of identification data not already correlated with a storage position, effects the selection of a storage position for which no correlation with different identification data on another card is in existence, by interrogating the memory in a predetermined sequence, which proceeds from a last available storage position to have been allocated to a next available storage position, and a correlation between the latter position and the identification data is recorded in the memory. Alternatively, the search can result in an available storage position being selected on the basis of a selected criterion of optimising the distribution of allocated storage positions.

In one form of garment storage and issue system for which garments are to be deposited by a user with an attendant (manual deposit system) for processing, the input means comprises, in addition to said reader, a keyboard or a further reader with direct access to the searching means, and printing means are provided operative to provide on a blank identification label a printout of the storage position with which the encoded data on the card has been correlated. The attendant will then attach the label to the deposited order and hand the card to the user for use to retrieve the deposited order later. When processing of the order has been completed, it will be placed in the storage position printed on the label to await collection.

In one system allowing for unattended deposit by a user (automatic deposit system), the arrangement of the searching means is such that, if the identification data has not already been correlated with a storage position, the searching means adopts a search mode to correlate that data with a storage position for which no corresponding correlation with different identification data on anothercard is in existence and initiates operation of the conveying means so that it will automatically pick up at the assigned storage position a bag to contain the order and will convey the bag to the common collect location to receive at the collect location any order to be deposited, and then deliver the deposited order to an assigned deposit location for deposited orders.After manual removal of the bag and order from the deposit location followed by processing of the order, that bag, with the processed order, is returned manually to the corresponding storage position to await collection.

For both manual and automatic deposit systems, manually operable means can be provided for addressing the searching means so as to effect correlation, with the identification data on any particular card which is already correlated with a storage position, of another storage position instead. In such a system, the searching means can be so arranged that if, in use, every single storage position of said plurality has a corresponding identification data correlation, following input of identification data on a card, the searching means automatically correlates that input identification data to a storage position for which an identification data correlation is already in existence, but inhibits a collection sequence if that card is presented to the reader before collection has been made of the order corresponding to the input identification data already allocated to that storage position.

In another automatic deposit system, there is provided a further plurality of storage positions for garment bags only, these positions being more densely packed than those of the first-mentioned plurality, and the arrangement of the searching means is such that if the identification data is not already correlated with a storage position of the first plurality, the searching means correlates that data with a storage position, in the second-mentioned plurality having a bag thereat and initiates operation of the conveying means so that it will collect, by means of that bag, at the collect location any order to be deposited, and then deliver the deposited order to an assigned deposit location for deposited orders, the searching means being arranged to inhibit initiation of any further collect sequence from that selected storage position in the second-mentioned plurality, the system further comprising manually or automatically operable means for addressing the search means so as to effect a re-correlation of the identification data with a storage position in the first-mentioned plurality.

According to the invention from a second aspect there is provided ... (Claim 12)....

In orderthatthe accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1,2 and 3 are, respectively, diagrammatic views in elevation, longitudinal section and plan showing the structure of a known apparatus for storing and issuing garments and constituting part of a dry cleaning service, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of part of the inside of the apparatus, Figure 5 shows a diagram of a control arrangement of the apparatus, Figure 6 shows a flow diagram in respect of that control arrangement, Figure 7 shows a diagram of a control arrangement of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention, Figure 8 shows a flow diagram in respect of the latter control arrangement, Figure 9 is a plan view of a data card usable in a card reader of the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 6, or Figs. 7 and 8, Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram in respect of two such cards, and Figure 11 is a plan view of a printout from a printer of the apparatus of Figs. 7 and 8.

DRAFT SPECIFICATION FOR USA HL 14193 Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 4, the known storage and issue apparatus comprises an essentially elongate box-like structure 1 of which the front face is provided with a control panel 2 (Figure 1), including at least one slot 9' of a card reader 9 (Figure 5) for receiving cards issued to customers, one such card being reference 10 in Figure 9. In a housing 3 behind the front face is situated a main control 11 (Figure 5).

Extending rearwardly from the back wall of the housing 3 are two garment hanging rails 4 from which storage bags 5 on hangers hang at predetermined storage positions along the length of each rail. The bags 5 bear numbers which correspond respectively to the numbered storage positions. Extending centrally between the rails 4 is conveyor system 6, shown very diagrammatically in Figures 2 and 3 and including a gantry 8, which is capable, upon receipt of an appropriate instruction from the main control 11, to collect the storage bag 5 art a particular storage position corresponding to encoded data on a customer card 10 inserted into the reading slot 9', of collecting that bag and conveying itto a common collect location in the housing 3 immediately behind a central door 7, whereupon the door, which was previously locked, is unlocked automatically to allow the customerto remove from the storage bag his cleaned garments. A more complete description of a typical form of construction for the apparatus shown in Figures 1,2 and 3 is given in British Patent Specification 1,317,306 to which reference is accordingly made.

Above each rail 4a (garment hanging rail are 4a) is a parallel rail 4b acting as a running rail for the wheeled gantry 8. Each rail 4b has a longitudinal portion formed with vertical slots 24'in registry with the storage positions of the bags 5 on the rail 4a.

Each member4a is formed from aluminium girder sections each having a series of numbered slots 25 along its length, each slot forming a storage position for one or more garments 26, the garments 26 being hung on coat hangers 27 and covered with the bags 5. The coat hangers 27 are hooked onto wire carrier members 12. Each carrier member 12 comprises a length of wire which is bent round at the top to form a generally rectangular loop 13. The lower end of the piece of wire has been passed through a radially extending hole in one side of a ring 14 and through a washer 14a and then flattened out so that the ring and washer remain on the piece of wire but the ring can turn freely thereon. The hook of a coat hanger 27 can be engaged in the ring 14.The straight middle portion of the length of wire is able to lie in one of the numbered slots 25 in the rail 4a with the loop 13 resting on top of the rail and behind an upwardly extending flange portion 18 thereof. Each gantry 8 includes at each side an arm 15 which can be moved by drive means (not shown) in the direction of its length towards or away from its respective rail 4a.

The outer end 16 of the arm 15 is bevelled to a point, and a catch 17 is pivotally connected to the arm 15 so as to overlie the pointed end thereof. If the arm 15 is advanced towards the loop 13 of one of the carrier members 12, the pointed end 16 of the arm enters the loop, and then, because of the bevel at this end, the carrier member 12 is lifted up so that the loop 13 rises above the flange portion 18. The catch 17 is shaped so that it is pushed upwards as it moves past the loop 13 and then drops down behind the loop so as to retain the latter on the arm 15. The arm 15 can then be retracted, drawing the carrier member 12, and any coat hanger 27 and items thereon, away from the rail 4a, as shown in Figure 4. A short way in from each rail 4a there is mounted on the gantry 8 a switch 19 with a spring-form operating lever 20.The end 16 of the arm 15 moves over the lever 20 as the arm 15 is retracted, so that the carrier member 12 held on the arm engages the lever 20. If no coat hanger is supported by the carrier member 12, i.e. if the selected storage position had no coat hanger 27 therein, the carrier member 12 just rides up over the lever 20 and does not operate the switch 19. If there is a coat hanger 27 and bag 5 and possible garment 26 supported by the member 12, the weight thereof ensures that the carrier member 12 moves the lever 20 out of the way as it moves past, thereby operating the switch 19 and indicating to the main control 11 of the apparatus that an occupied storage position has been selected.

As mentioned, each running rail 4b has a portion formed with slots 24 in registry with the numbered slots 25. The gantry 8 has attached to each side thereof a position sensor in the form of a light source 22 which lies on one side of the slotted portion of the rail 4b and a photo-electric transducer 23 which lies on the other side of this portion so as to receive light from the source 22 when a slot 24 is passed. A reversible counter (not shown) provided in the main control 11 counts the electrical pulses produced by the transducer 22 as the gantry 8 moves past the slots 24 and thereby retains a record of the position of the gantry at any time.Since sensors are provided at both sides of the gantry and the pulses formed thereby are countered independently of each other, the slots 24 in the rails 4b on the two sides of the apparatus (and thus the slots 25 in the rails 4a on the two sides of the apparatus) need not be aligned with each other, so that there may be different numbers of slots per unit length on each side of the apparatus.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the known apparatus shown in Figure 5 is designed to be operated by standard cards and by specific golden key cards.

Referring to Figure 9 the card 10 is for use with a card reader 9 which is advantageously the model BR445 sold by Feedback Data Limited of Uckfield, Sussex, England. The card 10 has a number of imaginary rows numbered 0 to 9 and a number of imaginary columns numbered 13 to 22. A standard Hollerith card punching code, hole size, spacing, etc.

are used, punched holes 28 being punched at selected, desired intersections of the rows and the columns, (Bell Lane, Uckfield).

Referring to Figure 10, the card code for the standard card of the specific GK card is shown at the left hand side of the Figure. Of the columns 13 to 22 on the card, column 13 is unused in this example; columns 14to 17 are used to identify the particular apparatus and the card kind, i.e. whether the card is a standard card or a specific GK card.If it is a standard GK card, there is an entry in column 17 at row 1, and if it is a specific GK card, there is an entry under column 17 at row 9; rows 18 to 21 are used to indicate the garment storage position, since a particular garment storage position always corresponds to a particular card; and column 22 is utilised to indicate an inching distance, that is to say to indicate, in respect of any garment storage position, a particular number of slots beforehand at which the gantry 8 is to begin to slow down from a relatively fast traverse to a very slow t,-averse. In respect of the garment storage position code columns 18 to 21, column 18 has an entry in respect of the rail number, so that since in the embodiment described there are two rails 4a, one of these could be rail number 2 and the other could be rail number4; and columns 19 to 21 indicate the storage positions counted from a home position adjacent the housing 3. The main control 11 not only receives information from the reader 9, but also gives instructions to the reader 9.Incorporated in the reader 9 is a card transport 29 which moves the card through the reader 9 in accordance with the instructions from the main control 11, the card transport 29 itself feeding information to that main control. The main control 11 also instructs an operating mechanism 30 for the kiosk door7 or kiosk doors, and furthermore gives instructions to and receives information from the gantry 8. Finally, the main control gives instructions to one or more lamps 31 which are empioyed to advise the user as to what actions to take.

The flow diagram of Figure 6 illustrates the actions, instructions and interrogations carried out, largely by the main control 11, in the apparatus of Figure 5. The first action 32 is to switch on the mains supply. The main control 11 then gives the instruction 33 to reset the apparatus, if necessary, in readiness to receive a card. The interrogation 33 as to whether a card 10 has been inserted in the slot 9' of the reader 9 then applies. If the answer is "YES", the main control 11 gives the instruction 35 to read the data on the card and store the encoded information as to the apparatus and card kind identity; the storage position and the inching distance. There is then the interrogation 36 as to whether the apparatus identity code on the card agrees with the actual apparatus identity code.If the answer is "NO" then the main control 11 gives instruction 37 to energise a lamp illuminating a display reading "card not acceptable", thereby to advise the user. Then the main control 11 gives instructions 38 to the card transport 29 to return the card to the user and then gives instructions 39 to energise the lamp to iilumi nate the display reading "remove card". This is fol lowed by an interrogation 40 as to whether the card has been removed. If and when the answer is "YES", the main control 11 gives the instruction 33 to reset the apparatus. If the answer to the interrogation 36 is "YES", then the main control 11 gives instruction 41 to set the gantry search information. This is followed by an instruction 42 to start a failure timer and an interrogation 43 asto whether the gantry is in its home position.If the answer to the question 43 is "YES", then the main control 11 gives an instruction 44 to start the sequence of operations by the gantry 8. This sequence consists of an action 45 of counting the storage positions as the gantry 8 moves along the rail in question and comparing this number of positions with the number of the stored encoded position, an action 46 of slowing the gantry when the inching distance is reached, which may for example be four storage positions before the desired position, an action 47 of stopping the gantry at the desired storage position, the action 48 of attempting to pick-off the member 12 at the desired storage position and an action 49 of returning the gantry to its home position. There is an interrogation 50 as to whether the gantry has returned to its home position.If and when the answer is "YES" there is another interrogation 51 as to whether a member 12 and items thereon have been picked-off. If the ans werto this interrogation is "NO", then the main control 11 issues an instruction 52 to energised a lamp to illuminate a display reading "garment not available", followed by an instruction 53 to halt the failure timer, which is followed by the instructions 38 and 39, etc. If the answer to the interrogation 51 is "YES", the main control 11 gives an instruction 54 to the kiosk doors mechanism 30 to close a rear door of the kiosk or housing 3 behind the home position of the gantry and when closed, to open the front door 7.

LV PURCHASING CO LIMITED HL14193 CONTINUATION This is followed by the interrogation 55 as to whether the front door 7 has opened if and when the answer is "YES", the main control 11 issues an instruction 56 to energise a lamp to illuminate a display reading "press switch to close door". This is followed by an instruction 57 to start a door close timer and an interrogation 58 as to whether the door close switch has been pressed. The door close timer is set to a period of time sufficient for the user to collect garments from or deposit garments in the kiosk and to press the door close switch. The instruction 57 is followed by the interrogation 58 as to whether the door close timer has been reset and if the answer is "NO" by an interrogation 59 as to whether the set time period for the door closing has elapsed.If the answer to either the interrogation 58 or the interrogation 60 is "YES", then the main control 11 issues an instruction 61 to close the front door 7. This instruction is followed by an interrogation 62 as to whether a switch on the leading edge of the door 7 has been operated, this switch serving to detect whether there is some obstruction, such as a user's arm, to the front door 7 being closed. If the answer to this interrogation is "YES", then an instruction 63 is given to reset the door close timer and an instruction 64 is given to halt the closing of the door 7, this latter instruction being followed by an instruction 65 to open the front door 7, the instruction 65 being followed by the interrogation 55. If the answer to the interrogation 62 is "NO", this is followed by an interrogation 66 as to whether the door 7 has closed.If the answer to this interrogation is "YES", then an instruction 67 is given to open the rear door of the kiosk or housing 3. This instruction is followed by an interrogation 68 as to whetherthe card kind identity code indicates a specific golden key card. If the answer is "YES", then the instructions 53,38 etc. are carried out. If the answer is "NO", in other words the card is a standard card, then the main control 11 gives the card transport 29 an instruction 69 to place the card in a hopper. This is followed by an interrogation 70 as to whether the card is in the hopper. If the answer is "YES", then the instruction 33 etc. are carried out. The failure timer has been set to a period of time more than sufficient for the whole cycle of operation from insert of a card to be carried out.The instruction 42 is followed by the interrogation 71 as to whether the failure timer has been halted by the instruction 53 and, if the answer is "NO", a further interrogation 72 as to whether the set period of time has elapsed if the answer to the interrogation 72 is "YES", then the main control 11 issues an instruction 73 to trip the mains supply, the action 74 of which is to halt the apparatus, preferably simultaneously energising a suitable warning device.

(collect only) It will be appreciated that the apparatus described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 is that for a semiautomatic service, i.e. one with a manual deposit system.

Figures 7 and 8 disclose an example of the invention as applied to a fully automatic service. The most significant difference between the apparatus of Figure 5 and that of Figure 7 is that the latter apparatus has a micro computer 75 interposed between the reader 9 (including its card transport 29) and the main control 11. This micro computer 75 comprises a micro-processor 76, a keyboard 77, (arrow from printer to micro-processor) a printer 78, and display 79. The micro-computer 75 is advantageously an Al M 65 model micro computer sold by Rockwell International Corporation, P.O. Box 3669, Anahim, California 92803, United States of America. With the apparatus of Figures 7 and 8, there can be used, in addition to standard cards and specific GK cards random golden key cards (hereinafter referred to as random GK cards) which differ from specific GK cards in that before they are inserted into the reader they have not already been correlated with a garment storage position. instead, this correlation is performed each time after the random GK card has been inserted into the reader 9.The coding for each random GK card is set out at the right-hand side of Figure 10, from which it will be seen that column 13 is not used; that columns 14to 17 carry the apparatus and card kind identity code, although in this case an entry at row 8 in respect of column 17 identifies a random GK card; columns 18 to 21 carry a card number code which is individual to each card; and column 22 again indicates the inching distance.

In the flow diagram of Figure 8, there is inserted between the points A and B the items between the points A and B of Figure 6; between the points C and D the items between the points C and D of Figure 6; and between the points F and G of Figure 8 the items between the points F and G of Figure 6. Following the action 32 of switching on the main supplythere is the action 80 of initialising the micro processor 76.

This is followed by the action 33' of resetting the remainder of the apparatus this is again followed by the interrogation 34 as to whether a card has been inserted in the reader 9. If the answer is "NO" there is an interrogation 81 as to whether an instruction has been given from the keyboard 77. If the answer is "NO" the interrogation 34 follows. If the answer to the interrogation 81 is "YES", then the display 79 is given the instruction 82 to display the content, in a memory of the microprocessor 76, in respect of any particular storage position usable for random GK cards. The there is an interrogation as to whetherthe content of the memory in that respect requires to be changed. If the answer is "NO", then the interrogation 34 follows.If the answer to the interrogation 83 is "YES", then an instruction 84 is given to select the relevant content and modify the same under the control of the keyboard 77. This instruction 84 is followed by the interrogation 34. If the answer to the interrogation 34 is "YES", then the main control 11, via the microprocessor 76 gives an instruction 85 to the reader 9 to read the card. The microcomputer75 then performs the interrogation 36. If the answer is "NO".... where does line go to?... If the answer is "YES", then the main control 11 gives the microcomputer 75 and the reader 9 instructions to check the card as regards whether it is random GK, specific GK or standard and the result is stored.Then the main control 11 gives an instruction 87 to the reader 9 to ascertain the card number in the case of a random GK card, or the storage position in the case of a specific golden key or standard card, this being followed by an interrogation 88 asto whether the card is of random GK kind. If the answer is "NO" . . .

If the answer is "YES", then the main control 11 gives an instruction 89 to refer to the memory to determine whether the user is attempting to make a deposit or is hoping to make a collection. If the card number is not already in the memory, then the user is clearly attempting a deposit but if it is in the memory already, then clearly the user is hoping to make a collection. If a deposit is desired, then the microcomputer 79 searches its memory to ascertain a storage position number which is vacant and then correlates that storage position number with the card number in question; whereas if a collection is desired, the microcomputer 75 relates the card number to the already correlated storage position number in its memory. This action is indicated at 90.

The microcomputer 75 then carries out the action 91 of signalling to the main control 11 that the card data is ready. Then the items between A and B in Figure 6 occur. If the answertothe interrogation 51 is "NO" the main control 11 gives an instruction 92 for items porary storage of the "garment not available" details for printing by the print 78, whereafter follow the items 52, 53,38, etc. if the answer to the interrogation 51 is "YES" then the items between C and D in Figure 6 occur. If the answer to the interrogation 68 is "YES", then the items 53,38 etc. occur. If the answer is "NO" then the instruction 69 occurs this is followed by the interrogation 93 as to whether any information needs to be printed. lftheanswertothis is "NO" . . .

If the answer to this is "YES", then the main control 11 gives the printer78 an instruction 94 to print the details of the transaction. This is followed by the interrogation 70. If the answerto this interrogation is "NO" .....

If the answer to this interrogation is "YES", then an interrogation 95 as to whether printing has been completed occurs. If the answertothis interrogation is "YES", then the instruction 33' occurs.

Figure 11 illustrates a print-out such as can be obtained from the printer 78. In the Figure, a represents blank; b represents information that storage position number 001 on rail number2 correlates permanently (because * * GK represents a specific golden key card) with card number7109 and that there has been a deposit in respect of that storage number on that particular date.

Similarly, c is data to the effect that the hanging number 003 permanently correlates with card number 7481 and that there has been a deposit on the blank. d represents data to the effect that at storage position number009 on rail number4 and permanently correlated with a standard card (because of the entry * S) and that there has been a collection on the blank.

e represents data to the effect that storage position number 005 on rail number correlates permanently with card number 7068 and that there has been a deposit on the blank. f represents information that storage position number 018 on rail 2 and correlated with a random golden key number (indicated by* * * GK) has had a collection made in respect of it on the blank. The data G is a listing of the individual storage positions of rail number 2 and showing whether, according to the memory, they are vacant or occupied.

(What parts of old description are still applicable?) Referring firstly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the storage and issue apparatus comprises an essentially elongate box-like structure 1 of which the front face is provided with a control panel 2 (Figure 1), including at least a slot of a card reader 9 (Figure 4) for receiving cards issued to customers. In a housing 3 behind the front face (figures 2 and 3) is situated control circuitry such as that shown in Figure 4. Extending rearwardly from the back wall of the housing 3 are two garment hanging rails 4 from which storage bags 5 on hangers hang in predetermined locations along the length of each rail. The bags bear numbers which correspond respectively to the numbered storage positions.Extending centrally between the rails 4 is a conveyor system 6, shown very diagram matically in Figures 2 and 3 and including a gantry, which is capable, upon receipt of an appropriate instruction from the control circuitry in the housing 3, to collect the storage bag 5 at any particular location corresponding to encoded data on a customer card inserted into the reading slot in the front panel 2, to collect that bag and transfer it to a collect location in the housing 3 immediately behind a central door7 (Figures 1 and 3), whereupon the door, which was previously locked, is unlocked automatically to allow the customer to remove from the storage bag his cleaned garments.A more complete description of a typical form of construction for the apparatus shown in Figures 1,2 and 3 is given in British patent specification 1,317,306 to which reference is accordingly made.

Referring now to Figure 4, the customer's card is indicated by reference numeral 8. This card can be one of three different kinds, namely a card which is purchased for the cost which corresponds to the cleaning charge for the garment which will be deposited and for which a specific position has been allocated, this card being retained by the apparatus after the cleaned garments have been collected (such card will be referred to hereinafter as a "standard card"), a GKC for which a specific position is allocated (a "specific GKC"), and a GKC for which no specific storage position is allocated but on which the encoded data denotes a particular customer (this card being referred to hereinafter as a random GKC").In each case, the card will bear a machine identity code (to indicate that the card is intended to operate a particular apparatus), secondly either a garmentibag hanging position number (in the case of a standard or specific GKC) our a card number denoting a particular customer (in the case of a random GKC), and thirdly a card type code to enable the apparatus to determine whether the card is a standard card, specific GKC, or random GKC. The encoded data can be carried in any suitable form, namely magnetic strip, punched hole and the like.

The control circuitry of Figure 4 comprises a motorised reader 9 for reading the card 8 inserted into the slot in the front panel 2 of the apparatus (Figure 2), and a temporary store 10 for the output data from the motorised reader and having itself three separate outputs respectively for the machine identity code, card or position number, and card type code. The identity code signal is compared in a comparator 11 with a preset machine identity code, supplied from a generator 12 for matching match.The circuitry also includes a card type detector 13 which receives the card type encoded signal from the temporarystore 10. Acard number memory 14 stores in its memory data identifying those card numbers in respect of which a deposit sequence has been made but the order not yet collected, and this memory can be addressed by the card number signal from the memory store 10. A random GKC location memory 15 holds in its memory data which provides correlation between each garment storage position and a particular card number allocated to that position.

Again, the memory 15 can be addressed by the card number signal from the temporary store 10.

The conveyor system 6 (Figure 3) is operated by a gantry movement circuit, denoted generally by reference numeral 16, in such manner that upon receipt of a pick-off number signal, the circuit 16 will control the conveyor system so as to pick-off the garment storage bag at a storage position corresponding to the number represented by the input signal, and convey that bag to the collect location just behind the central door7 of the apparatus. The pick-off number signal is generated by a selector circuit 17 in dependence upon a position number signal from the output of a temporary store 10 (in the case of a standard or specific GKC card), or by an allocated hanging number signal from the memory 15 (in the case of a random GKC).

The apparatus further includes a store circuit 18 which keeps in store the number of the last vacant storage position allocated to a customer. Upon receipt of an appropriate address signal under circumstances which will be described with reference to the flow diagram of Figure 5, the store circuit 18 delivers a stored number signal to an adder 19 which preferably adds the number "2" to the storage position number and then addresses the random GKC memory 15 with the new storage position number.

The overall operation of the several circuit elements constituting the control circuitry are controlled by a decision control and instruction sequence circuit 20. Additionally, this circuit 20 controls information lamps and the like 21 to provide information for the customer, and also a printer 22 which provides a data print-out for the customer. The operation of the control circuitry shown in Figure 4 will now be described with reference to Figure 5.

On arrival at the automatic-deposit and collection apparatus, the customer inserts his card (standard, specific GKC or random GKC) into the card reader which then reads the data on the card (namely machine identity code, garment/bag hanging position number or card number, and card type) and supplies this data to the temporary store 10. The circuit 20 firstly instructs the comparator 11 to compare the machine identity code signal from the store 10 with the pre-set machine identity code supplied by the generator 12, and the comparator then instructs the sequencer 20 that the two signals match or do not match. If there is no match, the circuit 20 operates the reader 9 to reject the card, and preferably advise the customerthatthe card is not acceptable, printout, by means of a printer 22, the card encoded information, and also printout "reject". If the read machine identity code matches the preset code, the circuit 20 instructs the card type detector 13 to examine the card type code. If the detector detects a standard or specific GKC card, the circuit 20 then instructs the selector 17 to issue the appropriate pick-off number signal to cause the gantry movement circuits 16 to operate the conveyor system to move to the appropriate storage location. If the detected card type is random GKC, the circuit 20 instructs the card number memory 14to be addressed by the card number signal from the temporary store 10. If the card number signal corresponds to a number in the memory, the control circuitry will realise that a collect sequence is required and the circuit 20 will then instruct the random GKC location memory 15 to ascertain which storage position has been allocated that particular number.The selector 17 is then instructed by the circuit 20 to supply the appropriate pick-off number signal to the gantry movement circuit 16. If, on the other hand, the card number does not match with any stored card number entered in memory 15, the control circuitry assumes that a deposit sequence is required and then finds an available storage position as follows.

Starting from the last available storage position to have been allocated a card number, the circuit 20 addresses the store 18to output its stored number to the adder 19 which increases that number by 2 and then addresses the memory 15 again. If this new storage position is available, the memory 15 will allocate the card number to the new storage position and notify the circuit 20 which will then operate the selector 17 to emit the appropriate pick-off number signal to the gantry movement circuit 16. If, however, the new position is already occupied, the store 18 will increase the position number by 2 again and this sequence will continue until either an available position is found (in which case the gantry movement circuits 16 are operated in the manner described above) or having checked every single position in the apparatus, they are all detected as having been allocated.In that event, the circuit 20 will operate the reader 9 to reject the card and preferably advise the customer, by printing the card encoded information, printing "machine full" and advising the customerthatthe apparatus is fully occupied and to remove his card.

It is to be noted that the effect of successively adding the number 2, starting from the number of the last vacant storage position allocated to a cus tomercard, is that the search is made for an available storage position through successive even (or odd) numbers until the highest even (or odd) number is reached, whereafterthe search will continue starting from the lowest odd (or even) number continuing right through all odd (or even) numbers, and finally, the even (or odd) numbers are searched through up to the even (or odd) number immediately preceding the number from which the complete search was started.The significance of searching for an available storage position in this way is that this ensures that there is no close packing of the stored garments and bags until half of all the possible positions have been occupied, whereas if the storage positions were to be searched in strict number order (alternately odd and even) the garments would be tightly packed at all times while in effect wasting the single space which would otherwise be occupied in the remaining, vacant, storage position.

In all cases referred to above, when the gantry arrives at the storage position to which it has been directed it will collect any bag and hanger in that storage position. Sometimes, there will be no bag in the storage position and this situation will arise where the bag has not yet been returned to its respective storage position as cleaning of the garments in the bag is not yet complete. A suitable detector can be provided to detect the presence or absence of a bag and changes in the storage position relative to which a collect or deposit sequence is required. Where there is no bag, the circuit 20 will give appropriate instructions to the warning and advising equipment 21, 22, as well as the motorised reader 9, so as to return the card, advise the customer "no-bag", print-out the card encoded information, and print "no bag".In the usual case, however, where a bag is present at the selected storage position the gantry will collect the bag with hanger and deliver it to the garment collect location. The customer then collects any cleaned garments in the bag and then deposits any further clothes which he wishes to have cleaned. On closing the door 7 again the conveyor system carries the bag with hanger two a deposit location 50 (Figure 2) where a whole pile of bags collects containing garments required to be cleaned. The operating staff deal with these orders manually, inserting the cleaned garments into the appropriate bags after cleaning, and then returning the bags to the appropriate storage position ready for collection.At the time of each delivery of a bag to the garment collect location, the control circuit 20 deals with the card and advises the customer in an appropriate way, depending upon the kind of card in the reader, an example of which will now be summarised: Standard Card Place card in a hopper for return to a central store, without returning the card to the customer; print card encoded information; and print "collect".

Specific GKC Return card to customer; advise customer to remove card; print card encoded information; and print "collect".

Random GKC-Match Return card to customer; advise customer to remove card; print card encoded information; print "collect"; delete card number in memory 14; and delete handing position number in memory 15.

Random GKC-No Match Return card to customer; advise customer to remove card; print card encoded information; print "deposit"; print hanging position number; enter card number in memory 14; and enter hanging position number in memory 15.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that with the random GKC, there is no one storage position which is specifically allocated a particular card number, but ratherthe card number merely denotes a particularly customer and the control circuitry will return any garments belonging to that customer and direct any further garments either to the same storage position (where that position was occupied with an order for the customer when that customer presented his card to the machine) or allocate that customer the first available storage position in the predetermined sequence of positions. The advantage of this system will be illustrated by ways of example. Consider a situation in which 1,000 customers have been issued with cards. If the cards are standard or specific GKC cards, the apparatus will require a corresponding number, namely 1,000, of storage positions to meet the requirements of those 1,000 customers. However, at any given time, only a comparatively small percentage of those customers will actually have clothes deposited with the cleaning service. For example, the number of storage positions actually allocated at any time may never exceed 200 places, say. Under such circumstances, the random GKC system would merely require that 200 storage spaces be provided, and yet the needs of the same 1,000 customers would be met in just the same way. The provision of only 200 storage spaces instead of 1,000 storage spaces clearly represents a very significant overall saving in space.

It will of course be appreciated that the apparatus and control circuitry described above is in effect a hybrid system, i.e. standard and specific GKC on the one hand and random GKC on the other hand. The standard and specific GKC cards would be issued to regular users and so there would not be expected to be much waste of storage space, despite the fact that each card is allocated to a particular storage position. The random GKC section would, however, be reserved for customers who only use the cleaning service occasionally, thereby optimising the storage space required for these customers.

As has been described, the above-disclosed system allows for automatic deposit and automatic collection by the customer himself. In a modification in which garments are deposited with an attendant at the shop counter, a counter console 51 (Figure 4), including a keyboard 52 and a printer 53 has a direct access connection to the memory 15. To make a deposit, a customer first pays the attendant to establish sufficient credit and the attendant then selects a card, from a source of unissued cards, for the customer (standard, specific GKC or random GKC) and inserts a blank identification label into the printer 53.

On entering, by means ofthe keyboard 52 (alternatively a card reader on the console could be used for this purpose), the card number on the issued card, that number is printed onto the blank label and an address instruction is sent directly to the memory 15 which, in a corresponding manner to that described above, selects an available storage position which is printed onto the identification label. Other data (such as the cost of cleaning the order concerned and the amount of cred it which that customer currently has) can also be printed onto the label. The label is then attached to the order and left in a convenient storage position to await processing, the card itself having in the meantime been issued to the customer.When the customer wishes to collect his order, he merely hasto insertthe card into the readerS so asto locate the storage position which was allocated for that card and the machine then carries out a collect (delivery) sequence (assuming that the order was ready).

In such a manual deposit system, the reader9 merely has to serve to read the inserted card so as to initiate a collect sequence. Of course, once a customer has been issued with a specific or random GKC, he will normallywantto make all his deposits automatically (so long as his account remains in cre dit) so that in practice the storage and issue system will normally have facility both for automatic and manual deposit of the kind described above. In such a case, when making the initial deposit, the cus tomer, instead of handing his order over to the attendant could in fact make an automatic deposit, using his issued card, through the door in the front face of the storage and issue apparatus.

The keyboard 52 serves a further useful function.

Suppose, for example a customer has deposited a very large order and when the operating staff endeavour to hang that order, in its storage bag in the allocated position, they find that the neighbouring storage positions, one on each side of the allocated position, are both occupied with orders awaiting collection. In orderto avoid packing the orders to be collected too densely in that region, the operating personnel can address the memory 15, using the keyboard 52 to issue an appropriate re-allocation instruction to the memory 15 so that the memory will itself search forthe next available storage position which is advised to the operator, for example by means of the printer 53. Assuming that there is no over-packing in the region of this newly allocated position, the operator will leave the large order in that position.When the customer returns to collect his order, the memory 15, upon being addressed, will rememberthatthere has been a re-allocation of storage position in respect of that particular card number, and direct the conveyor gantry to the new storage position accordingly during the collect sequence. In another modification, the mode of the keyboard 52 can be selected such that any newly re-allocated storage position can be selected manually by entering an appropriate storage position by means of the keyboard 52. Under such circumstances, the operator will look inside the storage section of the apparatus and himself select a storage position observed as being suitable for the size of order concerned, and enter an appropriate reallocation instruction by means of the keyboard.

In each of the above described systems, the arrangement is such that when the search by the memory 15 for an available storage position reveals that every single storage position in the apparatus has received a card number allocation, it is unable to accept any further orders. In an improved system, however, catering for the handling of an even larger volume of orders with the same overall storage capacity, the memory 15, after a search reveals that at that particular time all the storage positions in the system have already been allocated, automatically adopts a new mode of operation, controiled by a program 54. In this case, the memory preferably makes a search to ascertain which of the allocated storage positions are actually "occupied" (i.e. the bags hanging in those positions contain clean clothes ready to be collected) and which of the positions are "unoccupied" (i.e. there are no bags or hangers present in those positions because the deposited garments are still being cleaned).The memory 15, in accordance with a predetermined criterion contained in the program 54, will then make an allocation of a selected storage position (occupied or unoccupied), preferably an occupied storage position as that order is more likely, statisti cally, to be collected by the customer concerned before an order which at the time in question is awaiting processing or is actually being processed, and the deposit sequence then commences to con vey the new order to the deposit location 50 (Figure 2). In one arrangement the program 14 makes the storage position allocation on the basis of that particular storage position with, at the time in question, the earliest (in time) card number allocation.Ordinarily, by the time that new order has been processed, the previous order, to whose same storage position the new order has also been allocated, would have been collected, in which case the staff operator will merely place the new order in the appropriate storage position ready for collection. In the unlikely event that the previous order has not been collected at the time that the new order, following processing, is to be hung up in the apparatus to await collection, the staff operator will merely instruct a storage position re-allocation, using the keyboard 52 and place the order in the newly allocated position ready for collection.Of course, the memory 15 is so arranged that it will not allow the second card userto initiate a collect sequence unless the previous card user, whose storage position allocation has also been accorded to the second customer, has already collected his own order. In the event that all the storage positions have been allocated a second card number in the mannerjust described, the control circuit 20 is arranged to take appropriate action to reject any further inserted card and to advise the customer that all positions are occupied, until a second card allocation becomes available in respect of any of the storage positions.

In a still further development, the storage positions are arranged in two groups, the first of which are for densely packed positions for empty bags on hangers and the second of which contain more widely spaced storage positions for bags containing processed orders to be collected. In this system, garments are deposited in an automatic sequence in which the customer's card is inserted into the reader 9 and the memory 15 allocates that card available bag from a storage position in the first (densely packed position) group and then initiates a collect sequence in the manner described above. In this particular system, however, a collect sequence from the same storage position is inhibited.After the order has been processed, the garments are returned to the storage bag associated with the previously allocated position and a new position is then allocated in the second group (less densely packed positions) by the staff operator using the keyboard. When the customer returns to collect his order, the address to the memory 15 is re-directed to the newly allocated position in the second group. A similar system could be operated with manual deposit using the keyboard 52. A re-allocation of the storage position noted on the label attached to the order would be made by the operator, using the keyboard 52, when the garments are to be returned to the apparatus for storage to await collection.

In the systems described above, the search for an available position by the random storage means is carried out in a predetermined sequence, as described above. In a modification, the memory 15 can be programmed so as firstly to ascertain which, if any, positions are available for allocation to the inserted card, and then make a selection in accordance with a predetermined criterion entered in the program. For example, in one particular program, before the storage location number is issued, a check is made of the general distribution of allocated storage position numbers for orders throughout the apparatus likely to occur on the day the garments are loaded after processing, having regard to the pattern of customer collection, size of order, date required and other programmable information.In this way, the machine faced with an exceptionally large order for delivery on any given day, could issue a storage location number adjacent to some small orders overdue for collection. Alternatively, the machine could automatically reserve one ortwo locations either side of a particular allocated position, to provide adequate hanging space for the large order and only re-assign these locations to further small orders as and when necessary by space demands.

An advantage of the system described above in which a storage position re-allocation can be made using the keyboard 52, is that when the operating staff are advised by a customer that they have lost their card, the operator could advise the control circuitry via the keyboard to automatically retain that card, if inserted into the reader, without initiating a collect sequence, at the same time immediately releasing the allocated storage position for re-use by re-allocation to an authorised customer card.

A variety of add-on credit control modules could be supplied with the equipment to include any or all of the following operational features:1. Upon delivery of a processed order to a customer, details of the transaction can be transferred to a credit data store for credit control purpose.

2. Issue of random GKC cards following insertion of any standard credit card into a credit-controlled slot, and punching out on a key bank the amount of credit required to be allowed on each issued GKC.

3. Alternatively, a keyboard control unit could be fitted to allow a customer to insert his credit card number, name and card company, together with the value of GKC credit required. The equipment would printout this information and present the customer with both a random GKC or a standard credit card voucher for signature debiting the standard credit card account by the same amount of credit as requested for the GKC. The signed voucher would be deposited in the bag with the customer's clothes to be cleaned.

4. GKCs may be issued with the credit limit coded on that card, e.g. by means of a magnetic strip, and the machine would retain in memorythe current credit value and card number, displaying the current credit value with each use in the deposit sequence.

5. The sum of any processing charges could then be debited by the use of an adjacent or remote control keyboard console linked to the equipment and in some applications the customer could receive a detailed printout for each transaction together with outstanding credit balance while awaiting delivery of his garment in the collect sequence.

6. In some cases where the apparatus is installed in stores and partially assisted by counter staff, the equipment can be used to provide complete credit control for both automatic and counter transactions, thus avoiding the need for a separate cash register on the counter. In such circumstances staff would record all counter sales (whether specific or random GKC or standard card) through a keyboard console which may or may not incorporate a card reader to avoid errors in transferring data.

7. In the collect sequence, users of standard cards would be advised of a zero credit on delivery and the card would be retained within the equipment as described above. Users of specific and random GKC cards would, in normal circumstances, always have their cards returned, but facility would exist for GKC cards with zero or negative credits to be retained within the machine if required.

8. In normal circumstances, specific and random GKCs would only be accepted in one assigned machine where credit is established. However, arrangements can be made for store groups with several branches to have GKCs which would be accepted at any branch. In such circumstances, the equipment would have a facility byway of computer link or otherwise to debit the customer's credit account following each transaction in any branch.

Finally, it is pointed outthat in all systems, following each collect sequence, the relevant correlation data in the memory 15 is of course erased, so as to leave the storage position concerned available for allocation to another customer card.

Claims (14)

CLAIMS 1. Asystemforstoring and issuing garments, comprisig a plurality of storage positions in which garments may be stored, conveying means operable to convey garments from the storage positions to a common collect location, input means operable to input individually, to said system, identification data identifying individual users, and control means capable of relating identification data identifying an individual user and input by said input means with a selected storage position for which no correlation with identification data identifying another user is in existence and of bringing into operation a collect sequence in which automatic delivery to the common collect location is effected, by said conveying means, of any garment in a storage position correlated with data identifying an individual user and input by said input means, characterised in that said control means includes a memory arranged to memorize each and every such correlation existing at any given time, whereby, upon input by said input means of identification data identifying an individual user, said control means normally ascertains from its memory whether the last-mentioned data has already been correlated with any particular storage position and, if so, normally brings into operation said collect sequence in respect of that storage position. 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said control means operates such that, if said control means ascertains from its memory that said lastmentioned data has not already been correlated with one of the storage positions, said control means effects such correlation and records the same in said memory. 3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises searching means arranged to effectthe correlation of identification data identifying (one) user with a storage position for which no correlation with identification data identifying another user is in existence by interrogating said memory and recording in said memory said correlation of indentification data identifying one user with a storage position. 4. A system according to claim 3, wherein said searching means interrogates said memory in a predetermined sequence proceeding from a last available storage position to have been correlated to a next available storage position. 5. A system according to claim 3, wherein said searching means interrogates said memory on the basis of a predetermined criterion of optimising the distribution of correlated storage positions. 6. A system according to claim 2, and further comprising printing means operative to provide on a label a printout of the correlation recorded in said memory. 7. A system according to claim 2, wherein said control means operates such that, in addition to effecting the correlation and recording the same in said memory as aforesaid, said control means initiates operation of said conveying means so that said conveying means can receive any garment to be deposited and then automatically delivers the gar mentto a deposit location for deposited garments. 8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said control means initiates operation of said conveying means as aforesaid so that said conveying means automatically collects a garment container and automatically conveys said container to said common collect location for said container to receive the garment to be deposited and then automatically delivers the container and the garment to a said deposit location. 9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes manually operable means for addressing said memory to effect correlation, with identification data identifying an individual user and already correlated with one of said storage positions, of another of said storage positions instead. 10. A system according to claim 2, wherein said control means is so arranged that, if at any given time all of said storage positions are correlated with identification data identifying individual users, said control means automatically correlates identification data identifying a further individual user with one of said storage positions, but said control means automatically inhibits any collect sequence in respect of said further individual deposit until after a collect sequence has been performed in respect of the earlier deposit correlated with said one of said storage positions. 11. A system according to claim 2, and further comprising a second plurality of storage positions, but for garment containers only, these positions being more densely situated than the first mentioned plurality of storage positions, said control means operating so that, if the identification data identifying an individual user and input by said input means is not already correlated with a storage position of said first plurality, said control means corre lates that data with a storage position of said second plurality having a garment container assigned thereto and said control means initiates operation of said conveying means to collect said container, convey said container to said common collect location for said containerto receive any garments to be deposited and then deliver said container and said garment to a deposit location for deposited containers and garments, and said control means also operating so as to inhibit a further collect sequence from said storage position of sa id second plurality, said system further comprising means arranged to effect a correlation of the identification data correlated to said storage position of said second plurality with a storage position of said first plurality. 12. A method of temporarily storing garments in storage positions and issuing the garment to users in accordance with identification data identifying individual users, in which method input of identification data already correlated with a particular storage position normally causes a collect sequence to be brought about to effect automatic delivery of any garment in that storage position to a common collect location of the user, characterized in that a memory memorizes each and every such correlation existing at any given time and that. upon input of identification data identifying an individual user, said memory is normally interrogated to ascertain whether the last-mentioned data has already been correlated with any particularly storage position and, if so, normally said collect sequence is brought into operation in respect of that storage position. New claims or amendments to claims filed on 13.10.81 Superseded claims All Claims New or amended claims:

1. A system for storing and issuing garments, comprising a plularity of storage positions in which garments may be stored, conveying means operable to convey garments from the storage positions to a common collect location, input means operable to input individually, to said system, identification data identifying individual users, and control means capable of relating identification data identifying an individual user and input by said input means with a selected storage position for which no correlation with identification data indentifying another user is in existence and of bringing into operation a collect sequence in which automatic delivery to the common collect locating is effected, by said conveying means, of any garment in a storage position correlated with data identifying an individual user and input by said input means, characterised in that said control means includes a memory arranged to memorize each and every such correlation existing at any given time, whereby, upon input by said input means of identification data identifying an individual user, said control means normally ascertains from its memory whether the last-mentioned data has already been correlated with any particular storage position and, if so, normally brings into operation said collect sequence in respect of that storage position.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said control means operates such that, if said control means ascertains from its memory that said lastmentioned data has not already been correlated with one of the storage positions, said control means effects such correlation and records the same in said memory.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises searching means arranged to effect the correlation of identification data identifying one user with a storage position for which no correlation with identification data identifying another use is in existence by interrogating said memory and recording in said memory said correlation of identification data identifying one user with a storage position.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein said searching means interrogates said memory in a predetermined sequence proceeding from a last available storage position to have been correlated to a next available storage position.

5. A system according to claim 3, wherein said searching means interrogates said memory on the basis of a predetermined criterion of optimising the distribution of correlated storage positions.

6. A system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, and further comprising printing means operative to provide on a label a printout of the correlation recorded in said memory.

7. A system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein said control means operates such that, in addition to effecting the correlation and recording the same in said memory as aforesaid, said control means initiates operation of said conveying means so that said conveying means can receive any garment to be deposited and then automatically delivers the garment to a deposit location for deposited garments.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein said control means initiates operation of said conveying means as aforesaid so that said conveying means automatically collects a garment container and automatically conveys said container to said common location for said container to receive the garmentto be deposited and then automatically delivers the container and the garment to said deposit location.

9. A system according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein said control means is so arranged that, if at any given time all of said storage positions are correlated with identification data identifying individual users, said control means automatically correlates identification data identifying a further individual user with one of said storage positions, but said control means automatically inhibits any collect sequence in respect of said further individual deposit until after a collect sequence has been performed in respect of the earlier deposit correlated with said one of said storage positions.

10. Asystem according to any one of claims 2 to 9, and further comprising a second plurality of storage positions, but for garment containers only, these positions being more densely situated than the first-mentioned plurality of storage positions, said control means operating so that, if the identification data identifying an individual user and input by said input means is not already correlated with a storage position of said first plurality, said control means correlates that data with a storage position of said second plurality having a garment container assigned thereto and said control means initiates operation of said conveying means to collect said container, convey said container to said common collect location for said containerto receive any garments to be deposited and then deliver said container and said garments to a deposit location for deposited containers and garments, and said control means also operating so as to inhibit a further collect sequence from said storage position of said second plurality, said system further comprising means arranged to effect a correlation of the identification data correlated to said storage position of said second plurality with a storage position of said first plurality.

11. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein said control means includes manually operable means for addressing said memory to effect correlation, with identification data identifying an individual user and already correlated with one of said storage positions, of another of said storage positions instead.

12. A method of temporarily storing garments in storage positions and issuing the garments to users in accordance with identification data identifying individual users, in which method input of identification data already correlated with a particular storage position normally causes a collect sequence to be brought about to effect automatic delivery of any garment in that storage position to a common collect location for the user, characterised in that a memory memorizes each and every such correlation existing at any given time and that, upon input of identification data identifying an individual user, said memory is normally interrogated to ascertain whether the last-mentioned data has already been correlated with any particular storage position and, if so, normally said collect sequence is brought into operation in respect of that storage position.

13. A system for storing and issuing garments, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of temporariiy storing garments and issuing the garments to users, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.