Patent ID: 7359664

Claim:
A fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording medium, comprising: first and second belts rotatably disposed opposite to each other such that the recording medium having the toner image thereon moves therebetween; a fixing roller disposed in contact with an inner surface of the first belt; a pressure roller disposed in contact with an inner surface of the second belt and facing the fixing roller via the first and second belts, the fixing roller and the pressure roller forming a first nip part; a first supporting member disposed downstream of the fixing roller and held in contact with the inner surface of the first belt; and a second supporting member disposed downstream of the pressure roller, held in contact with the inner surface of the second belt and facing the first supporting member via the first and second belts, wherein a second nip part is formed downstream of the first nip portion and upstream of a portion between the first and second supporting members facing each other via the first and second belts and wherein the portion between the first and second supporting members facing each other via the first and second belts includes a gap.