Patent ID: 8229338
Filing Date: 2012-07-24
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image fixing apparatus for fixing an unfixed toner image formed on a recording medium, comprising: a cylindrical fixing film; a heater which comes in contact with an inside surface of the fixing film; a fixing rotation member that forms a fixing nip portion through which the recording medium passes together with the heater through the fixing film, the fixing rotation member not having a heat source therein, wherein when the recording medium is not in the fixing nip portion, a toner component adhering to the fixing film is transmitted to the fixing rotation member; and a roller having a peripheral surface around which a web is wound, the roller forming a cleaning nip portion for cleaning the toner component from the fixing rotation member with the web by pressing a portion on which the web is winded up, against the fixing rotation member, wherein a used portion of the web previously used for cleaning of the fixing rotation member moves from the cleaning nip portion by rotation of the roller, and wherein during non-cleaning in which the web does not clean the fixing rotation member, the roller is displaced away from the fixing rotation member to a position that is farther away from the fixing rotation member than the position of the roller during cleaning of the fixing rotation member by the web, so that the roller separates from the fixing rotation member.