Patent ID: 7013099

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: unfixed-image forming means for forming an unfixed image; a fixing unit detachably mountable in said image forming apparatus, for fixing the unfixed image on the recording material formed by said unfixed-image forming means, that comprises: a heating member for heating the unfixed image; a heat insulating member having an interval with said heating member and disposed so as to cover a part of said beating member along said heating member in a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of a recording material, for insulating heat from said heating member; and a frame housing the heating member and the heat insulating member therein; and an exhaust fan disposed near said fixing unit, for exhausting air from within said image forming apparatus, wherein said fixing unit has a ventilation channel defined by the heat insulating member and the frame so that air passes through said fixing unit directly between said heat insulating member and the frame.