Patent ID: 8515326
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image heating apparatus for heating a recording material that bears a toner image, the image heating apparatus comprising: a flexible sleeve configured to contact the toner image; a heater configured to be in contact with an inner surface of the sleeve; a heater holder configured to hold the heater; a flange configured to regulate a longitudinal position of the flexible sleeve; a pressure roller configured to form a nip portion that sandwiches and conveys the recording material, in cooperation with the heater via the sleeve; a frame configured to hold the heater holder, the flange and the pressure roller, and including a guide groove that guides the heater holder and the flange towards the pressure roller held by the frame; and a pressure member configured to press the flange toward the pressure roller, wherein the pressure member presses the flange so that a contact state of the heater holder with a downstream side rim of the frame that forms the guide groove on the downstream side in a recording material conveying direction and a contact state of the flange with the downstream side rim of the frame are maintained while the pressure roller is rotating in the recording material conveying direction.