Patent ID: 8824947

Claim:
A fixing device for fixing an unfixed toner image in noncontact while conveying a recording member on which the toner image is formed, comprising: a surface reforming portion for reforming a surface of the toner on the recording member so as to increase affinity to the recording member in heating and fusing; and a noncontact fixing portion for heating and fusing in noncontact the toner whose surface is reformed, and wherein the recording member is paper, and wherein the surface reforming portion is arranged on an upstream side of a conveyance direction of the recording member with respect to the noncontact fixing portion, and the surface reforming portion is configured to increase the affinity to the recording member by generating a polar group of a hydrophilic property on the surface of the toner, and wherein the noncontact fixing portion vertically irradiates light onto the toner whose surface is reformed, thereby fixing a toner image.