Patent ID: 6321047
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An image heating apparatus comprising:a heating member for heating an image on a recording material;a backup member for forming a nip in cooperation with said heating member; andelectric power supply control means for controlling electric power supplied to said heating member so that a temperature of said heating member may be maintained at a set temperature during an image forming operation;wherein when the recording material is not in the nip as a plurality of recording materials are being continuously heated, said electric power supply control means selects a first control or a second control in conformity with a information on spacing between the recording materials when the plurality of recording materials are being continuously heated,and wherein the first control is such a control that the electric power is supplied so that said heating member is maintained at the set temperature and the second control is such a control that the electric power is not supplied to said heating member regardless of the temperature of said heating member.