Abstract: System and methods providing a plurality of fusers, and one or more radius profiled media handling transports for transporting media in a radius, in an image forming device. The system includes one or more of a plurality of fusers, and radius profiled media handling transport devices arranged in a fashion allowing for improved throughput of media while reducing operating costs. The plurality of fusers allows for the use of individual low capacity fusers that are equal to or less than the overall capacity of the image forming device. Media transport devices transport media on stretch belts across a radius of rollers with a means for providing an adhering force for stabilizing the media to the belt. The rollers are arranged along one side of the frame, along which the media is transported, and a frame may contain an air plenum so as to allow for the drawing of a vacuum through the rollers. The media transport device allows for optimizing a configuration of the image forming device.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful in printing and methods of fixing marking materials on media in apparatuses useful in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses useful in printing includes a first fixing device disposed along a first media path. The first fixing device includes a first fixing member including a first surface and a second fixing member including a second surface which forms a first nip with the first surface. The first fixing device does not include a thermal energy source that actively heats the first surface or the second surface and the first fixing device is adapted to apply pressure to a medium received at the first nip. A second fixing device is disposed along a second media path. The second fixing device includes at least one thermal energy source adapted to supply thermal energy to actively heat the medium at the second fixing device. A controller is configured to selectively route the medium to the first fixing device or to the second fixing device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fuser unit that includes a first roller and a second roller opposite to each other, a first conveyance unit, a second conveyance unit, a drive unit, and a control unit to control the drive unit to rotate one or both of the first roller and the second roller in a state where a sheet contacts with the first roller and the second roller and the sheet is held by the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit, or in a state where after the sheet is held by the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit, one or both of the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit move in a direction of approaching at least one of the first roller and the second roller and the sheet contacts with the first roller or the second roller.

Abstract: When an image forming apparatus, after a feeding error of a recording material occurs in a fixing device, re-forms on the recording material an image corresponding to image data which image was formed on a sheet which caused the feeding error, an image forming condition is caused to be different from an operation condition used when the feeding error has occurred. This makes it possible to prevent a JAM corresponding to the same image from recurring in the fixing device.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of mitigating media edge wear effects in apparatuses useful for printing are provided. An exemplary apparatus useful for printing includes a first roll including a first outer surface; a second member including a conformable second outer surface forming a nip with the first outer surface; and a registration distribution system including a motor for translating at least the second member, relative to a medium passing through the nip, in at least a first zig-zag motion pattern from a first home position to a second home position.

Abstract: Disclosed in an image forming apparatus including a conveyance section to convey a paper, a first fixing device to fix a toner on the paper by heat fixing, a first cooling device to cool the paper in which the toner is fixed, a second fixing device to fix the toner on the paper by heat fixing, a second cooling device to cool the paper in which the toner is fixed, a conveyance path switching section to switch a conveyance path of the paper between a first conveyance path and a second conveyance path and a control section to control so as to carry out cooling by operating the second cooling device and not operating the first cooling device when the paper is to be conveyed to the first conveyance path and so as to carry out cooling by operating the first cooling device when the paper is to be conveyed to the second conveyance path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit having a rotary heating member and a rotary pressure member forming a nip therebetween, a guide wall positioned immediately downstream of the fixing unit and on the side of the rotary heating member with respect to a boundary defined by the transfer medium passing the nip, a guide member positioned on the side of the rotary pressure member with respect to the boundary and face to face with the guide wall, the guide member and the guide wall cooperatively guiding the transfer medium discharged from the fixing unit, and a guide member positioning mechanism for shifting the guide member between a first position where the guide member is moved away from the guide wall and a second position where the guide member is moved closer to the guide wall than at the first position.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes: a first fixing unit including a first heating unit heats to a transfer material onto which an image has been transferred and a first pressure unit that forms a first nip portion; a second fixing unit including a second heating unit heats to the transfer material fixed in the first fixing unit and a second pressure unit that forms a second nip portion; and a fixing unit suction guide, including a suction surface that sucks the transfer material fixed in the first fixing unit upward with a surface of the transfer material onto which the image has been transferred facing downward, an end of the suction surface on a side toward the second fixing unit in a transport direction of the transfer material being located higher in the vertical direction than an imaginary line that connects the first nip portion and the second nip portion.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus for forming an image on a transfer material includes first and second fixing roller units, a suction guide, and a movement member. The first fixing roller unit includes a first heating roller that heats the transfer material bearing the image and a first pressure roller being in contact with the first heating roller. The suction guide guides the transfer material, and includes a suction surface that vertically upwardly sucks the transfer material after being heated by the first fixing roller unit. The second fixing roller unit fixes the transfer material after being guided by the suction guide, and includes a second heating roller heating the transfer material and a second pressure roller being in contact with the second heating roller. The second pressure roller is disposed above the second heating roller in the vertical direction. The movement member causes the second pressure roller to move vertically upwardly.

Abstract: In the image forming apparatus, a developing unit and a fusing unit are arranged to horizontally face each other. A printing path between the developing unit and the fusing unit includes a downward slope to guide a printing medium immediately having passed through the transfer nip and an upward slope to guide the printing medium approaching the fusing nip. The fusing nip is located lower than the transfer nip, preventing pollution of a rear end of the printing medium.

Abstract: An image-heating device has a detector for detecting the state of a recording medium at a position between a first fixing unit and a second fixing unit along a conveying path of the recording medium and a controller for controlling a fixing condition of the second fixing unit on the basis of the information obtained by the detector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a transporting path; a heating unit on the transporting path that is movably provided in a direction coming in contact with and departing from a continuous recording medium and that heats the continuous recording medium; a braking unit that has a first braking member and a second braking member and that brakes transportation of the continuous recording medium by sandwiching in the continuous recording medium between the first and second braking members, wherein the first and second braking members are provided on upstream and downstream sides on the transporting path of the heating unit, respectively; and a control unit that controls that the heating unit is brought into contact with the continuous recording medium and the braking of the continuous recording medium is released by the braking unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit to thermally fix an image transferred onto a sheet, a discharge unit to discharge the sheet carried from the fixing unit outside the image forming apparatus through a discharge path, a swingable member to be swung by the sheet being discharged, a swing-detectable sensor to detect swing movement of the swingable member being swung by the sheet, and a judging unit to judge as to whether the sheet is in one-sided alignment, in which the sheet is aligned to one of the widthwise sides in the discharge path based on result detected by the swing-detectable sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring nip width in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a signal to measure the nip width, the nip width being the distance of an arc length created by an intersection of a fuser roll and a pressure roll, positioning a nip width measuring device into the nip, measuring the nip width, determining if the measured nip width meets a required nip width, wherein if the measured nip width does not meet the required nip width, adjusting the nip width.

Abstract: In a fixing device, a pressing member rotates in a predetermined direction of rotation. A flexible fixing member is disposed opposite the pressing member to rotate in accordance with rotation of the pressing member. A nip formation member is provided inside a loop formed by the fixing member and pressed against the pressing member via the fixing member to form a nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes. A contact member pressingly contacts an outer circumferential surface of the rotating fixing member at both ends of the fixing member in an axial direction thereof.

Abstract: According to the embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a paper transporting unit configured to transport a paper, an image forming unit configured to form an image on the paper, a fixing unit configured to generate heat for fixing the image on the paper, and a lighting unit configured to irradiate the fixing unit with red light.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic imaging unit, a fixing unit, a conveyance unit, and a guide assembly. The electrophotographic imaging unit forms a toner image on a recording medium for forwarding to a media conveyance path. The fixing unit is disposed in the conveyance path to fix the toner image in place on the recording medium through a fixing nip. The conveyance unit is disposed downstream of the fixing unit along the conveyance path to forward the recording medium from the fixing nip. The guide assembly is disposed between the fixing unit and the conveyance unit along the conveyance path to guide the recording medium therethrough. The guide assembly includes a pair of first and second media guide members to form a tapered passageway therebetween to pass the recording medium from the fixing nip into the conveyance unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus body; an image forming unit; a first fixing device; and a second fixing device, the first and second fixing device being selectively attached, and the apparatus body including: a first attaching region that is formed by detaching the first fixing device; a sheet-discharging region in which, in a case where the first fixing device is attached to the apparatus body, a sheet subjected to a fixing operation by the first fixing device is discharged into an upper portion of the apparatus body while downwardly directing a face on which the fixing operation is performed; and a second attaching region to which the second fixing device is attached, and that includes the first attaching region and the sheet-discharging region.

Abstract: In a fixing device, an opposing member contacts a heating member to form a fixing nip between the heating member and the opposing member. A driver rotatively drives at least one of the heating member and the opposing member. A sheet supplier supplies and conveys a sheet to the fixing nip. A recording medium bearing an unfixed toner image is conveyed through a gap between the sheet and the opposing member at the fixing nip with a side of the recording medium bearing the unfixed toner image facing the sheet. At least one of the rotating heating member and the rotating opposing member applies a driving force to the sheet supplied to the fixing nip while the sheet contacts the sheet supplier to apply tension to the sheet at a position upstream from the fixing nip in a sheet conveyance direction.

Abstract: A recording head is operable to eject ink toward a recording medium. A carriage mounting the recording head is operable to carry the recording head in a first direction. At least one infrared ray heater is provided on the carriage so as to oppose the recording medium. An input energy of the infrared ray heater is 60 W or less.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a first roller and a second roller. The second roller is urged to the first roller by an elastic member. In the sheet conveyance apparatus, sheet guide rib is provided which can project into a sheet conveyance path formed by a sheet guide plate. The sheet conveyance apparatus further includes an interlock portion which is mechanically interlocking with a changing position of the second roller, and changes the projecting amount of the sheet guide rib into the sheet conveyance path such that the more the thickness of a sheet increases, the smaller the projecting amount becomes.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a first conveying roller conveying the sheet, a second conveying roller conveying the sheet conveyed from the first conveying roller, a first driving gear having a first number of teeth, and a second driving gear having a second number of teeth. When a first meshing frequency defined by multiplication of the first number of teeth and the number of rotations of the first driving gear is defined as A, and a second meshing frequency defined by multiplication of the second number of teeth and the number of rotations of the second driving gear is defined as B, the first meshing frequency A and the second meshing frequency B are set so as to satisfy the following expression (1): A>B??(1).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a fixing device having a first nip to fix toner to a recording medium; a conveyance device provided at a position downstream from the fixing device in a direction of conveyance of the recording medium to convey the recording medium further downstream; a guide member provided along a conveyance path of the recording medium between the fixing device and the conveyance device to contact and convey the recording medium from the fixing device to the conveyance device, the guide member having multiple through-holes formed therein and penetrating from a front surface of the guide member facing the conveyance path of the recording medium to a back surface of the guide member; and an airflow generator to generate an airflow through the multiple through-holes.

Abstract: A technique of preventing toner from adhering to a guide which guides a change of a conveying direction of a paper by the paper on which a toner image is formed contacting with the guide is provided. The technique includes: a concave guide, having a concave guide surface, which guides conveyance of a paper so as to change a conveyance direction of the conveyed paper; and a guiding roller provided in the vicinity of a position on the concave guide surface of the concave guide where a front edge of the paper conveyed toward the concave guide abuts so as to have a roller surface project from the concave guide surface.

Abstract: In a construction wherein at the start of fixing, a pressure belt is brought into contact with a fixing roller at uniform timing, it has sometimes been the case that the temperature of the pressure belt at a point of time whereat the fixing is started does not become a desired temperature but faulty fixing occurs. The timing for bringing the pressure belt into contact with the fixing roller at the start of fixing is changed in accordance with the detected temperature of the pressure belt. By such a construction, faulty fixing can be prevented from occurring.

Abstract: A pre-heater system and adapted to be used on an electrostatic marking apparatus for improving gloss on media having marking thereon at a location in the apparatus prior to a conventional fuser roll assembly or station, the system including a primary heater adapted to blow pressurized hot air into a surface of an image receiving media in order to substantially dispense hot air throughout an entire paper or media surface; and a preheat media transport for transporting media from the location in the apparatus prior to the conventional fuser roll assembly or station through the primary heater, the preheat media transport includes means for maintaining the preheat media transport at a substantially uniform predefined temperature.

Abstract: An image forming device is disclosed that is able to superpose a smooth sheet on a toner image on a recording sheet after common thermal fusing, perform re-melting and solidification, and then separate the smooth sheet, thereby, forming a high-gloss image easily. The image forming device includes a first fusing unit for the common thermal fusing, and a second fusing unit for fusing the toner image on a recording sheet after the common thermal fusing with a gloss application sheet superposed on the toner image, and a separation unit for separating the gloss application sheet from the recording sheet. The gloss application sheet is superposed on the recording sheet with a side of the gloss application sheet projecting out beyond a side of the recording sheet on a downstream side in the conveyance direction, and the gloss application sheet and the recording sheet are directed into the separation unit while being superposed.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an image forming unit that forms a toner image; an image-transfer unit that transfers the toner image formed by the image forming unit onto an recording medium; a fixing unit that fixes the toner image transferred on the recording medium by the image-transfer unit; a conveyance path that guides the recording medium toward the image-transfer unit by changing a conveyance direction of the recording medium fixed with the toner image by the fixing unit; and a reverse path that has at least a partial overlap with the conveyance path in a vertical direction by being folded in a direction opposite to a direction of the conveyance path, and turns over the recording medium by conveying the recording medium toward the image-transfer unit from a front end portion of the recording medium conveying the recording medium toward the image-transfer unit from a front end portion of the recording medium to a rear end portion of the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a first recording mode of outputting the recording material without passing thru the glossiness applying device after fixing and a second recording mode using the glossiness applying device, and then outputting the recording material. In the latter recording mode (B), when a void ratio G of toner in the toner image not yet subjected to the glossing process by the glossiness applying device is defined by a thickness t1 of a toner layer on the recording material after fixing and before entering the glossiness applying device, and a thickness t2 of a toner layer on the recording material after passing through the glossiness applying device, satisfies the formula: G=100×(t1-t2)/t1. In the recording mode (B), fixing conditions for the fixing device and the glossiness applying device are respectively set so that the void ratio of toner satisfies a formula 15?G?60.

Abstract: An image forming device has a housing, a cover, a frame, a heating member, a transfer roller, a first shaft, and a shielding assembly. The housing has an opening. The cover opens and closes the opening. The frame is provided in the housing. The heating member is supported to the frame and heating a recording sheet. The transfer roller is rotatably positioned between the heating member and the opening in the frame. The transfer roller conveys the recording sheet in a sheet conveying direction and is positioned downstream of the heating member in the sheet conveying direction. The first shaft is rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. The first shaft supports the transfer roller and facing the frame through a gap through which the sheet passes. The heating member is exposed to the opening through the gap.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet using a first colorant to be heat-fixed on the sheet; a second image forming unit configured to form an image on the sheet using a second colorant that is erasable by heating; and a fixing device arranged further on a downstream side in a sheet conveying direction than the first image forming unit and further on an upstream side in the sheet conveying direction than the second image forming unit and capable of executing fixing processing for heat-fixing the image, which is formed on the sheet by the first image forming unit, on the sheet and executing erasing processing for heating the sheet, on which the image is formed with the second colorant, to erasing temperature to thereby erase the second colorant on the sheet.

Abstract: An imaging system including an image transfer structure configured to transfer marking material to a first side of a substrate; a tacker configured to fix the marking material to the substrate; a path controller; a substrate inverter; and a fuser. The path controller is configured to switch the substrate between a first path towards the fuser and a second path extending through the substrate inverter and returning to the image transfer structure.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member for heating a recording medium and fixing an image formed on the recording medium; a pressing member pressed against the fixing member for pressing the recording medium against the fixing member; a frame member for supporting the fixing member and the pressing member; a cover member for covering the frame member; and a discharging member for discharging static electricity accumulated on the recording medium. The discharging member is sandwiched and held between the cover member and the frame member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressure member and a separation mechanism. The pressure member presses against the fixing member to form a nip through which a toner image on a recording medium is fixed. The separation mechanism is disposed at a downstream side from the nip to separate the recording medium from the fixing member. The separation mechanism includes a separation plate and a gap control member. The separation plate opposed to the fixing member with a gap therebetween includes a metal base member and a resin tip member. The gap control member controlling the gap by contacting the fixing member includes a curved tip having a radius of not greater than 0.6 mm. A center of the curved tip and a tip of the resin tip member are congruent with each other in a direction perpendicular to a feed direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, an image fixing apparatus, and an image fixing method that fix a toner image onto an recording medium in an electrophotographic process capable of effectively controlling an image fixing temperature. In one example, when a narrower recording medium, narrower than a maximum allowable size, is continuously fed at an image fixing temperature, a gap between the conveyed recording mediums is controlled to be longer than a default gap corresponding to a wider recording medium in a feeding direction to avoid an increase of the temperature of the ends of the fixing member in the longitudinal direction, to thereby maintain an allowable temperature limit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing section and a guiding section. The guiding section includes first and second guiding members. The first guiding member is in a first conveyance path for a first recording sheet having a first width and contacts the first recording sheet to guide the first recording sheet to a discharging portion. The second guiding member is in an area of a second conveyance path a the second recording sheet having a second width larger than the first width and guides the second recording sheet to the discharge portion at an angle so that a contact length of the second recording sheet with the heating member along a conveyance direction of the second recording sheet is shorter than a contact length of the first recording sheet with the heating member along a conveyance direction of the first recording sheet.

Abstract: A paper guiding mechanism and a printer using the same are provided. The paper guiding mechanism is disposed in a casing of a printer and located at an exiting end of a fusing device of the printer. The paper guiding mechanism guides a recording medium to a paper exit of the printer. The paper guiding mechanism includes a first guiding member and a second guiding member. The first guiding member is disposed in the casing. The second guiding member is movably attached to the casing. A passage is formed between the first guiding member and the second guiding member for the recording medium to pass through. The second guiding member may be moved by the force applied by the recording medium to guide the recording medium through the passage.

Abstract: A method for reducing gloss variation in prints, in an electrostatic printing system having a fuser for fusing sheets having marking particles thereon, the method including transporting a first sheet to the fuser; transporting a second sheet to the fuser; and abutting a trailing edge of the first sheet to a leading edge of the second sheet prior to the trailing edge of the first sheet entering the fuser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glossing apparatus including first and second heating rotating members which contact each other to form a nip part, an toner image on a recording material being heated in the nip part; a cooling unit which cools the recording material, moved while contacting the first heating rotating member, before the recording material is separated from the first heating rotating member; and a mode performing unit which performs a high-gloss mode and a low-gloss mode, the recording material is conveyed to and heated by the nip part such that the toner image contact the first heating rotating member in the high-gloss mode, the recording material is conveyed to and heated by the nip part such that the toner image contact the second heating rotating member in the low-gloss mode.

Abstract: A heating system including: a heating device including a first heat generator supplied with electric power by a commercial power source device, and a second heat generator and a third heat generator supplied with electric power by an auxiliary power source device; an electric storage device composed of a capacitor; a discharger for pursuing discharge to raise an input voltage from the electric storage device and supplying an electric power to the second and third heat generators; a detector for detecting an input voltage from the electric storage device to the discharger; and a power supply controller for switching off the electric power supply from the discharger to the third heat generator when the detector detects a reaching of the input voltage to a first threshold value which is set as a value in connection with a permissible limit of an input electric current to the discharger.

Abstract: An image formation system is configured by connecting two or more image formation devices. The system includes a fixing device fixing an unfixed development image to a record medium and a charge elimination device eliminating a charge of the record medium in an inlet of the fixing device of the second or later image formation device.

Abstract: A post-fixing support unit which is disposed between a fixing roller including a heating roller having a heat generator and a pressure roller so disposed opposite to the heating roller as to form a nip portion and a plurality of sheet discharge rollers which are disposed on the downstream side relative to the fixing roller and corrugation rollers disposed respectively between the adjacent two sheet discharge rollers, such that the post-fixing support unit is located on the upstream side relative to the corrugation rollers at the same position as at least the corrugation rollers in the width direction.

Abstract: An image forming device includes one or more flexible fingers to simulate a narrow gap baffle and provide a baffle-like support for different document media. These flexible fingers help guide the documents from one subsystem to another, for instance, entering into the decurler nip on the host image forming device decurler assembly. These flexible fingers act as two baffles. For heavy weight documents, the flexible fingers deflect and move out of the way. For medium to light weight documents, the flexible fingers control the document position during its trajectory.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing an unfixed toner image by heating and pressurizing a recording material by which the unfixed toner image is carried includes a heating member having a heat source, a pressurizing member that faces the heating member and that forms a fixing nip region between the heating member and the pressuring member, a belt member that circulates while being tensioned around the heating member and is able to transport the recording material while in contact with a surface of the unfixed toner image of the recording material, and a belt driving device that temporarily stops or decelerates the belt member after a rear edge of the recording material passes through the fixing nip region, and that restores the belt member before a leading edge of a subsequent recording material reaches the fixing nip region.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressure member pressed against the fixing member, a separating member disposed at a specific distance from the fixing member for separating a printing sheet therefrom after the printing sheet has passed through a nip portion formed between the fixing member and the pressure member, the separating member being made movable in directions toward and away from the fixing member, and a movement restricting member for limiting movement of the separating member in the direction away from the fixing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a heat member configured so that a longitudinal center becomes a conveyance center of the recording material, the apparatus also having a central portion temperature detection part for detecting a temperature of the heat member corresponding to the conveyance center or adjacent thereto, a one side end portion temperature detection part for detecting one end portion temperature at one side in a longitudinal direction of the heat member, and an other side end portion temperature detection part for detecting an other end portion temperature on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the heat member, and a control part for controlling the image forming apparatus based on heat member temperature information detected by the central portion temperature detection part, the one side end portion temperature detection part, and the other side end portion temperature detection part.

Abstract: A feeding and fixing apparatus for feeding and fixing a functional element, such as a closure element, to a sheet of film includes a feed unit for holding a functional element. The feed unit includes at least one holding device for holding the functional element, the at least one holding device being arranged substantially parallel to the sheet of film and, with a pivoting movement, being capable of being positioned in the region of the sheet of film in a plane running parallel to the sheet of film.

Abstract: A recording-medium positioning device includes a gate, a roller pair, a roller-pair shift unit, a recording-medium detector, and a drive control device. The gate is disposed at an upstream side of a fixing device in a conveyance direction of a recording medium. The roller pair includes two roller members disposed at an upstream side of the gate. The roller-pair shift unit moves the roller pair in accordance with a first position of the recording medium in the conveyance direction to shift the recording medium in a width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The recording-medium detector is disposed between the fixing device and the gate to detect a second position of the recording medium in the width direction. The drive control device moves the recording medium to a reference position by driving the roller-pair shift unit in accordance with the second position and cyclically shifts the reference position.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to produce a suitable printed image in a printing machine and provide efficient cooling of the printing material following a fusing operation. To do so, a method for fusing toner to a printing material (5) is provided, in which case the printing material (5) is guided in a contacting manner below the toner's glass transition temperature and in a non-contacting manner above the toner's glass transition temperature. Furthermore, a fusing arrangement (1) is provided, which comprises at least one device (3) for guiding the printing material (5) in a contacting manner below the toner's glass transition temperature and at least one device (12) for guiding the printing material (5) in a noncontacting manner above the toner's glass transition temperature.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a heating member for heating a toner image on a recording material in a heating nip; a pressing member for forming the heating nip in contact with the heating member; a abrading member for abrading a surface of the heating member; a contact-and-separation device for permitting contact and separation of the abrading member with respect to the heating member; and a selecting device for selecting, depending on a basis weight of the recording material to be heated by said heating member, whether or not the contact-and-separation means brings the abrading member into contact with the pressing member before a recording material is conveyed to the heating nip.