Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a communications line for connecting the image forming apparatus to other image forming apparatuses to create a system of a plurality of image forming apparatuses; a device for setting a connected printing mode to allocate and print jobs to be printed by the plurality of image forming apparatuses; a device for executing printing in the connected printing mode by the plurality of image forming apparatuses; and a device for releasing the use of the image forming apparatus under the connected printing mode when the image forming apparatus receives a print command while a printing operation is being executed by the plurality of image forming apparatuses under the connected printing mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is composed of an image holding component for holding an image, a first image forming device and a second image forming device for respectively forming a first image and a second image on a surface of the image holding component, a switching unit for switching a mode between a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being where the first image forming device and the second image forming device come into contact with the image holding component and the second mode being where the second image forming device and the image holding component do not come into contact and the first image forming device comes into contact with the image holding component, a detecting unit for detecting information concerning an image formed on the image holding component, and a modifying unit for modifying at least one of an image forming condition for the first image and an image forming condition for the second image in accordance with the information detected by the detecting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus operates in a color mode using a plurality of image holding components and in a monochrome mode using one of the plurality of image holding components to perform the image formation. The mode is switched between the color mode and the monochrome mode in accordance with information, such as the number of monochrome images having been successively formed, the number of monochrome images to be successively formed, a time period having been taken for the monochrome image formation, productivity or life priority specified the user, and a standby state of the image forming apparatus in the color mode or the monochrome mode, with a distance between the recording sheets to be transported being controlled according to predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A high power fiber optic connector detachably attached to a connected cylindrical portion having an axial hole portion, a male screw portion, and a key way. This fiber optic connector is provided with a ferrule portion to be inserted into said axial hole portion, a cap nut to be engaged with said male screw portion, and a positioning key portion to be inserted into said key way. This key portion is fixed to be freely changed in a circumferential direction of said ferrule portion.

Abstract: A low-calorie edible material like pate or mousse, comprising 100 parts by weight of a meat paste containing about 44 to 89% by weight of one or more of fish meat "surimi", poultry meat "surimi" and animal meat "surimi", 30 to 220 parts by weight of a water solution containing 1 to 4% by weight of mannan, 30 to 290 parts by weight of vegetable or animal oil, and a suitable amount of seasoning.

Abstract: A receptacle has an end surface supported along a plane extending at right angles to the axis of the receptacle and a contact surface at the other end. The contact surface also extends at right angles to the axis of the receptacle. A receptacle holder has a recess within which the receptacle is received. An adjusting mechanism is devised to adjust radial position of the receptacle. A lens holder is attached to the other end of the receptacle holder. A slide member has a sliding surface in surface contact with the contact surface of the receptacle. The slide plate is urged toward the one end of the receptacle so as to bring the sliding surface into contact with the contact surface of the receptacle. An optical fiber is inserted into the receptacle through a ferrule. If the optical fiber is twisted, the slide plate permits ready rotation of the receptacle in a torsional direction so as to prevent the optical fiber from being subjected to torsional stress.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical energy beam transmission path structure comprising at least one pair of optical fibers each having a connection end, and at least one fiber connector for connecting the connection ends of the paired fibers substantially coaxially. A small axial air gap is formed between the connection ends of the paired fibers, and an annular clearance is formed immediately around the connection end of the glass body of each fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy transmission optical fiber which is a medium for transmitting high-energy beams within an ultraviolet range such as laser beams. Since an optical fiber according to the present invention comprises a core formed of pure silica and a clad having a graded index type distribution of refractive index and said clad is disposed on an interface between the core and the clad where many structural defects are generated, the transmission loss is not increased even after the transmission of high-energy beams for a long time. In addition, since the optical fiber according to the present invention comprises the core formed of pure silica having a high melting point, the high-energy beams can be transmitted without generating a melting fracture in the core.

Abstract: A wear sensor provided with a block incorporating one or more optical fibers for indicating that wear has occurred to the block, on the basis of a fact that the fibers have been severed on account of wear of the block.

Abstract: A connector for a high energy beam, which is provided with a sleeve fitted on an optical fiber and having an optical fiber support portion of an inner diameter about equal to a diameter of the optical fiber and a larger diameter portion positioned ahead of the optical fiber support portion and having an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the optical fiber so as to form a gap around the optical fiber and in a proper length from the end face of the optical fiber. The optical fiber support portion is formed of a heat resistant inorganic substance having a melting point of 1500.degree. C. or more, for example, a transparent substance, such as sapphire, or an opaque substance, such as aluminium oxide; the so-called fine ceramics. The connector of the present invention is free from burning, melting and diffusion of metallic material, and breakage of optical fiber when in use, thereby being easy to handle and high in quality and reliability and having a long life time.

Abstract: A catalyst for manufacturing methacrolein by the vapor phase oxidation of isobutylene or tertiary butanol, said catalyst having the composition represented by the following formulaMo.sub.a W.sub.b Bi.sub.c Fe.sub.d A.sub.e B.sub.f C.sub.g D.sub.h O.sub.xwhereinA represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of nickel and cobalt,B represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and thallium,C represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of tellurium, antimony, tin, cerium, lead, manganese and zinc,D represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of silicon, aluminum, zirconium and titanium,a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, and x respectively represent the atomic ratios of Mo, W, Bi, Fe, A, B, C, D, and O, and whena is fixed at 12,b is from 0 to 10,c is from 0.1 to 10,d is from 0.