Abstract: A proofer (10) is disclosed for making yeast-raised baked goods having an extended shelf life. The proofer includes a proofing chamber (12) in which heat, humidity, and airflow are more uniform. A process is provided for proofing the raw dough to provide an extended shelf life yeast-raised product Additionally, an extended shelf life product is provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method performed by a computer system to process an extensible markup language input stream using discrete software components mapped to tags contained in the input stream, comprising: parsing the input stream; as a tag is parsed, invoking the software component mapped to it. The invention is also directed to a computer system, comprising: a processing unit and storage for processing programs; bindings representing a mapping between tags and discrete software components; a software engine comprising: a reader component that reads an extensible markup language input stream containing at least one tag; a parser component that parses the input stream; an execution component that, as a tag is parsed, invokes the software component mapped to the tag. The invention is also directed to a corresponding computer program product.

Abstract: Fasteners, such as lock-pins, that in selected embodiments can be installed or removed from the near side of a blind installation. In one embodiment, the lock-pin includes a pin and a rotatable key. The pin includes a head portion, a shaft portion having a tip end, and a longitudinal axis of symmetry. A bore extends through the head portion and the shaft portion in a generally longitudinal direction non-colinear with the longitudinal axis of symmetry. In one aspect of this embodiment, the key includes a spring portion toward the head portion of the pin, a retainer portion toward the tip end of the pin, and an actuator rod portion extending therebetween rotatably disposed within the bore of the pin. When the key is rotated to an unlocked position, the retainer portion is disposed within the diameter of the shaft portion such that the pin can be inserted in, or retracted from, a hole only slightly larger in diameter than the shaft portion.

Abstract: An automated transaction tax reporting/collection system. The system includes individual point of sale terminals disposed at each remote vendor location. The point of sale terminals are networked to a central computer, preferably via a plurality of intermediate data collection sub-stations. Each terminal includes means for inputting and storing data regarding taxable transactions, as well as for storing data reflecting the tax accrued on each transaction. This stored data is collected on a periodic, rotating basis by the corresponding data collection sub-station according to control signals generated by the central computer. All of the collected data is ultimately transmitted to the central computer, which is operative to generate reports reflecting the transaction tax due from each remote vendor location. These reports may then be sent to the taxing authority, the individual merchants, and/or to other taxing authorities, such as the federal government.