Patent ID: 8554103

Claim:
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a cylindrical or annular fixing member, an outer surface of which is brought into pressure contact with a conveyed sheet to fix an image onto the sheet; a heating source for heating the fixing member to a specified target temperature, wherein the fixing member includes a cylindrical or annular base material; a rubber layer provided so as to cover an outer surface of the base material and having elasticity; and an outer layer provided so as to cover an outer surface of the rubber layer for aiding release of the sheet, wherein an end portion of the rubber layer and an end portion of the outer layer are each positioned inner than an end portion of the base material with respect to a width direction perpendicular to a circumferential direction on the base material, and wherein a filter member capable of trapping ultra fine particles generated from the rubber layer is provided on the base material in a position facing the end portion of the rubber layer along the circumferential direction, wherein the filter member is in direct contact with the end portion of the rubber layer and with the end portion of the outer layer to cover the end portion of the rubber layer; and a spring member provided on the base material in a position closer to the end portion of the base material than the filter member with respect to the width direction for biasing the filter member toward the end portion of the rubber layer.