Patent ID: 9037060
Filing Date: 2015-05-19
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fixing apparatus comprising: first and second rotatable members configured to fix a toner image on a recording material in a fixing nip between the first and second rotatable members, the first rotatable member including an endless belt; a roller configured to rotatably support the endless belt and press the endless belt against the second rotatable member to form the fixing nip, the roller having a diameter at a longitudinal central portion greater than diameters of longitudinal end portions within a recording material passing area; a pad adjacent the roller in a recording material conveying direction and configured to press the endless belt against the second rotatable member to form the fixing nip; and a sliding contact sheet provided to cover the pad and configured to slide contact with the endless belt in conjunction with rotation of the endless belt, the sliding contact sheet including a contactable portion contactable to the endless belt and an extended portion extended from the contactable portion via a folded portion, wherein the sliding contact sheet is folded substantially along an external shape of the roller at the folded portion and thereby a portion of the extended portion facing the roller has a shape where longitudinal end portions are more projected than a longitudinal central portion, toward the roller, within the recording material passing area.