Patent ID: 8433229

Claim:
A fixing device comprising: fixing member that is heated; a pressure member to form a nip portion between the pressure member and the fixing member, wherein the fixing member and the pressure member fix a toner image on a recording medium; a first blowing unit located close to an outlet of the nip portion which separates the recording medium from the fixing member by blowing air to the recording medium; and a second blowing unit located close to an outlet of the nip portion which separates the recording medium from the fixing member by blowing air to the recording medium, wherein a velocity of the air discharged from the first blowing unit is higher than that of the air discharged from the second blowing unit, whereas a volume of the air discharged from the first blowing unit is smaller than that of the air discharged from the second blowing unit; and the first blowing unit starts discharging air before a leading edge of the recording medium reaches the outlet of the nip portion, whereas the second blowing unit starts discharging air after the leading edge of the recording medium has passed through the outlet of the nip portion.