| 摘要 |
A heat-resistant sheet, which has slits formed therein, is provided between a fixing roller and a pressure member. The heat-resistant sheet, which has a thickness of 300 mu m, is coated with a synthetic resin material having superior toner-releasing and heat-resisting properties, or incorporates such a synthetic resin material inside thereof. Here, a recording material is transported between the fixing roller and the heat-resistant sheet. As the surface temperature of the fixing roller rises, the heat-resistant sheet starts expanding gradually, causing its surface to be warped. However, unless the temperature of the fixing roller exceeds a set temperature, the expansion of the heat-resistant sheet and its surface deflection are all absorbed by the slits, and the slit width becomes zero. Therefore, it is possible to keep an optimal nip width while maintaining a proper applied pressure of the pressure member, without the necessity of using a heat-releasing device or increase the thickness of the heat-resistant sheet. As a result, a superior fixing operation is available by using the heat-resistant sheet having the slits.
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