Abstract: A communication method includes: transmitting a transfer request and setting information from first to second server apparatus; transmitting a transfer notification from second to third server apparatus directly or through the first server apparatus; transmitting a transfer response from third to first server apparatus; receiving a first information request from the third server apparatus during a first period; transmitting, after the first period elapses, the first information request from first to second server apparatus; receiving a plurality of second information requests transmitted from the third server apparatus during a second period, and retaining the second information requests in a received order; and after the second period elapses, transmitting first setting information corresponding to the first information request from second to third server apparatus, and subsequently transmitting a plurality of second setting information corresponding to the second information requests from second to third se

Abstract: A communication method includes: transmitting a transfer request and setting information from first to second server apparatus; transmitting a transfer notification from second to third server apparatus directly or through the first server apparatus; transmitting a transfer response from third to first server apparatus; receiving a first information request from the third server apparatus during a first period; transmitting, after the first period elapses, the first information request from first to second server apparatus; receiving a plurality of second information requests transmitted from the third server apparatus during a second period, and retaining the second information requests in a received order; and after the second period elapses, transmitting first setting information corresponding to the first information request from second to third server apparatus, and subsequently transmitting a plurality of second setting information corresponding to the second information requests from second to third se

Abstract: In a color image forming apparatus, an image retainer, a charger, a plurality of developing devices and a cleaner are made in one unit. The unit is dismountably supported in a housing so that the unit can be moved out from a first position at which the unit is set in the housing to a second position at which jam disposition is conducted. When the unit means is placed at the second position, a part of the apparatus is used to cover the image retaining surface at the transfer section.

Abstract: A vapor source-holding container has an opening smaller than the evaporating area of the material held in the container and a wall portion in contact with the material and having an emissivity lower than the external surface of the wall portion not in contact with the material.

Abstract: An evaporation source designed so that two or more materials to be evaporated are heated to evaporate by respective heaters, as well as method of using such an evaporation source are disclosed. The evaporation source further includes means for detecting the temperature of the slowly evaporating material and means for controlling the heaters on the basis of the detected temperature. The method of using this evaporation source comprises controlling the temperature of the slowly evaporating material in order to control the temperature of the evaporation source in such a manner that the respective materials are simultaneously heated to evaporate and deposit a film on a substrate.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising a conductive layer and a photosensitive layer of vapor-deposited selenium-antimony alloy film formed thereon is disclosed. The photosensitive layer has an average antimony concentration of 5 to 21 wt % and the center layer thereof except for the skin layer on either side has a change in antimony concentration within 2 wt % in any region that is 1000 deep .ANG. from the surface of the skin layer.

Abstract: An electrophotographic element having a conductive support upon which a coating of oleophilic resin-encapsulated zinc oxide particles, and a sensitizer dispersed in a binder containing vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate polymers is disclosed. Capsule wall can be 5A to 1.mu. thick. The oleophilic resin can be silicone, urethane, epoxy.

Abstract: Photosensitive element for electrophotography which comprises(a) a photosensitive layer composed of (1) a binder resin and (2) particles of photoconductive material being dispersed in said binder resin and each particle comprising a photoconductive zinc oxide particle having been encapsulated over its surface with an encapsulating resinous material;(b) an electroconductive support for said photosensitive layer; and(c) an intermediate layer being located between said photosensitive layer and said support, and composed of a water-soluble polymer.The water-soluble polymer preferably is a casein, and a sensitizing agent preferably is adsorbed by the surface of the zinc oxide particle and or included in the encapsulating resinous layer.