Patent ID: 9429891
Filing Date: 2016-08-30
CPC Classification: G03G

Claim Text:
1. A fixing device comprising: a flexible endless belt rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation; a heater disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the endless belt to heat the endless belt; a pressing rotary body disposed opposite the endless belt; a nip formation pad disposed opposite the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt and pressing the endless belt against the pressing rotary body to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressing rotary body through which a recording medium bearing a toner image is conveyed; a support contacting the nip formation pad to support the nip formation pad against pressure from the pressing rotary body; and a heat insulator, interposed between the heater and the nip formation pad and the support, to at least partially surround opposing sides of the support, the heat insulator including a first reflection face and a second reflection face that are disposed opposite the heater.