Patent ID: 7043186

Claim:
A method for fixing toner images on a carrier material, said method comprising the steps of: providing a heating device having at least one heat radiation source emitting radiation toward the carrier material, the carrier material being moved in a first direction of movement and in a second direction of movement substantially opposite to the first direction of movement, said heating device having a covering device movable substantially parallel to the first and second directions of movement of the carrier material into the ray path between the heat radiation source and the carrier material, opening the covering device when the carrier material is moved in the first direction of movement for fixing toner images on the carrier material; closing the covering device during standstill of the carrier material and during transport of the carrier material in the second direction of movement; and after moving the carrier material in the second direction of movement, opening the covering device during a subsequent movement of the carrier material in the first direction of movement in a delayed manner so that at least an already completely fixed area of the carrier material is not again subjected to the radiation of the heat radiation source.