Patent ID: 7396630

Claim:
A method for fixing a toner image, comprising: passing an image bearing material bearing a toner image thereon through a nip between a fixing belt and a pressure member while applying heat to the toner image to fix the toner image on the image bearing material, wherein the fixing belt has a U form at the nip, wherein a toner for said toner image comprises toner particles comprising: a binder resin comprising: a modified polyester resin; and a second resin having a weight average molecular weight of from 2,000 to 10,000, a colorant; a release agent; and a particulate material which is present in at least a surface portion of the toner particles while embedded into the surface portion, wherein the toner particles are prepared by a method comprising dissolving or dispersing a composition, which comprises at least a modified polyester resin (A) capable of reacting with an active hydrogen and the second resin, the colorant, the release agent and a compound having an active hydrogen, in an organic solvent to prepare an oil phase liquid; dispersing the oil phase liquid in an aqueous medium including a particulate material while subjecting the modified polyester resin (A) to a polymerization reaction to prepare the modified polyester resin and to prepare a dispersion; removing the organic solvent of the dispersion to prepare the toner particles; washing the toner particles; and drying the toner particles, wherein the binder resin has a glass transition temperature not lower than 35° C. and lower than 55° C., and wherein the particulate material has an average particle diameter of from 0.002 to 0.2 times that of the toner particles; wherein the particulate material comprises a particulate resin which is crosslinked; wherein said particulate resin comprises a vinyl resin; and wherein the particulate material comprises an inorganic particulate material.