Separator, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

A fixing device comprising:

• a rotary fixing member configured to fix a toner image on a recording medium;
• a rotary pressure member configured to be pressed against the rotary fixing member to form a fixing nip portion for nipping the recording medium between the rotary pressure member and the rotary fixing member;
• and
• a separator configured to separate the recording medium from the rotary fixing member or the rotary pressure member,
• wherein the separator includes
• a separation plate disposed downstream of the fixing nip portion in a medium feeding direction, with an edge portion of the separation plate facing an outer circumferential surface of the rotary fixing member or the rotary pressure member, and
• plate-shaped spacers disposed between portions of the edge portion of the separation plate and the outer circumferential surface of the rotary fixing member or the rotary pressure member to surround the portions of the edge portion in a direction intersecting with an extending direction of the edge portion.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an image forming unit configured to form a toner image on a recording medium;
• and
• a fixing device configured to fix the toner image formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit,
• wherein the fixing device includes
• a rotary fixing member configured to fix the toner image on the recording medium,
• a rotary pressure member configured to be pressed against the rotary fixing member to form a fixing nip portion for nipping the recording medium between the rotary pressure member and the rotary fixing member, and
• a separator configured to separate the recording medium from the rotary fixing member or the rotary pressure member, and
• wherein the separator includes
• a separation plate disposed downstream of the fixing nip portion in a medium feeding direction, with an edge portion of the separation plate facing an outer circumferential surface of the rotary fixing member or the rotary pressure member, and
• plate-shaped spacers disposed between portions of the edge portion of the separation plate and the outer circumferential surface of the rotary fixing member or the rotary pressure member to surround the portions of the edge portion in a direction intersecting with an extending direction of the edge portion.