| abstract |
An image fixing device for heating and applying pressure to a toner image on a recording medium to melt and press the toner image on the recording medium, having: a heating and fixing roll for heating the recording medium; a device for rotating and driving the heating and fixing roll; an endless belt arranged with respect to the recording medium on the side opposite to the heating and fixing roll; and a pressure applying member in contact with an inner surface of the endless belt and being provided with a pressing surface for pressing the endless belt against the heating and fixing roll along the surface of the heating and fixing roll; wherein pressure exerting on the pressing surface of the pressure applying member is set to a value of or above pressure for suppressing a volume expansion of gas caused by a rise in temperature of the gas taken between the heating and fixing roll and the endless belt. |