Abstract: Purchase of an item bearing a unique identification code is verified by (a) ascertaining the identification code of an item to be purchased; (b) acquiring data representative of color features of the item to be purchased; and (c) comparing the data representative of color features of the item to be purchased to data representative of expected color features for items having the same identification code. Other physical characteristics of an item, such as height, may also be employed. The disclosed system is also capable of detecting whether a shopping cart is empty or not, and determining whether a non-empty cart is an indication that a theft is being attempted.

Abstract: A flux bath and its use in treating ferrous articles prior to their being dipped in a molten aluminum-zinc alloy is disclosed. The flux may be molten bath or used as an aqueous solution which contains from 200 to 750 g/l dissolved solids. The dissolved solids are 91 to 98.5 wt. % zinc chloride, 1.5 to 9 wt. % ammonium chloride and, based on zinc chloride and ammonium chloride, from 0.6 to 3 wt. % fluoride ions.

Abstract: A process of plating zinc is disclosed using a plating solution containing from 20 to 35 grams per liter of zinc ions; from 55 to 150 grams per liter of sulfamate ions; from 15 to 30 grams per liter of boric acid; from 15 to 45 grams per liter of sodium chloride or potassium chloride; from 0.6 to 3.0 grams per liter of an alkali metal benzoate, cinnamate, nicotinate, or 2-furylacrylate; from 0.5 to 1.1 grams per liter of a sulfonated fixed oil such as sulfonated caster oil, from 0.1 to 0.4 gram per liter of benzalacetone, furfuryl acetone, furfuryl crotonaldehyde or furfuryl acetonylacetone; and from 1.0 to 15 grams per liter of a polyether surfactant while maintaining the pH of the solution at from 4.0 to 5.5.