Fixing device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

A fixing deviceincludes a cylindrical fixing belt, a heater, a pressure roller, a pair of holding members, and a separation guide. The cylindrical fixing belt has flexibility and is rotatably supported. The heater heats the fixing belt. The pressure member is rotatably supported and faces the heater across the fixing belt to form a pressurized region for heating and pressurizing toner on a sheet between the fixing belt and the pressure member. The pair of holding members hold both end portions of the fixing belt. The separation guide separates the sheet passed through the pressurized region from the fixing belt. The separation guide is positioned with respect to the pair of holding members such that its tip faces the fixing belt at a predetermined interval and is supported movably in a direction away from the fixing belt.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.