| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent, at the beginning of use, the image quality from degrading due to a lubricant being applied to the heating element of an image heating device. <P>SOLUTION: A control means 75 has an idle rotation mode in which a drive source M is driven in a non-transport state (in which a recording material P is not introduced to a nip N), thereby making the flexible member 51 of the image heating device 25 rotate. Under specified conditions, the control means alters the idle rotation conditions for the idle rotation mode. By altering the idle rotation conditions for the idle rotation mode, the lubricant is applied uniformly to an area located in contact with the flexible member of the heating element 53. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT |
