Patent ID: 8879973

Claim:
A fixing device comprising: a flexible tubular member having an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space; a heater extending through the internal space; a nip member configured to contact with the inner peripheral surface of the flexible tubular member; a stay extending through the internal space of the flexible tubular member; and a backup member, the backup member and the nip member being configured to pinch the flexible tubular member therebetween, the backup member and the flexible tubular member being configured to form a nip region therebetween, the nip member facing the nip region in a facing direction via the flexible tubular member, the heater comprising: a glass tube having an axis defining an axial direction; and a heat source provided in the glass tube, the glass tube including a glass tube body having an end portion in the axial direction and a sealed portion formed integrally with the end portion, the sealed portion being formed in a plate shape and protruding radially outwardly from the glass tube body when viewed in the axial direction, a dimension of the sealed portion in the facing direction being greater than a dimension of the sealed portion in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the facing direction, at least a portion of the sealed portion overlapping with a portion of the nip member when viewed in the facing direction.