Patent ID: 7672629
Filing Date: 2010-03-02
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A fixing unit for partially melting and fixing an unfixed toner image formed on a surface of a sheet to the surface of the sheet by application of heat and pressure, said fixing unit comprising: a heating rotary member for heating the sheet; a pressing rotary member which is pressed against said heating rotary member with a specific pressure, forming a nip portion in between; and at least one separating member having a far end directed toward a surface of one of said rotary members with a narrow gap d on a downstream side of the nip portion so that the far end of said separating member hooks on and separates the sheet which is going to turn with said one of said rotary members; wherein the gap d (mm) between the far end of said separating member and the surface of said one of said rotary members and a minimum width L (mm) of a top margin of the sheet along a leading edge thereof where the toner image is not formed are set to satisfy a relationship expressed by the following inequality: and wherein a distance r (mm) from a downstream end of the nip portion to the far end of said separating member and said gap d (mm) are set to fall within the following ranges: