Abstract: A belt fixing unit, an image forming apparatus, and a toner material are disclosed capable of obviating undesirable fixing belt deformation and low image quality. The belt fixing unit includes a fixing roller, a heating roller, a fixing belt, and a pressing roller in contact with the fixing roller to form a fixing nip having the fixing belt intervening there between, the fixing belt including at least a base member formed of a heat-resisting resin having a thickness of 90 ?m or smaller and acted upon by a tensile force of 0.49 N/mm or less. The toner is a low-melting point toner formed by subjecting a toner preparatory solution containing at least a prepolymer having a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, a polyester, a colorant and a releasing agent dispersed in an organic solvent to extension and/or crosslinking reactions in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a fixing apparatus with which the movement of heat to the fixing belt during warm-up is suppressed, and the time it takes for the heating roller temperature to rise can be shortened, by reducing the contact surface area between the fixing belt and the heating roller, and an image formation apparatus that makes use of this fixing apparatus, and a toner used therein. A separation member provided on the inside of the fixing belt forms a pair with a tension roller, and a switching device for switching the positions thereof switches the positions when a set temperature is detected by temperature sensing device installed on the heating roller, so that the contact surface area of the fixing belt on the heating roller is different during warm-up and during fixing.

Abstract: A fixing device for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes fixing roller and a pressing belt forming a nip therebetween. The fixing belt is passed over a drive roller and a driven roller and formed of a nonconductive material. A charge roller applies a charge opposite in polarity to a toner image carried on a sheet to the pressing belt from the outside surface of the belt. On contacting the pressing belt, the sheet is polarized with the result that a force attracting it toward the pressing belt increases. The sheet is therefore conveyed via the nip while being attracted by the belt 19 and does not or substantially does not wrap around the fixing roller.

Abstract: A fixing device for an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes fixing roller and a pressing belt forming a nip therebetween. The fixing belt is passed over a drive roller and a driven roller and formed of a nonconductive material. A charge roller applies a charge opposite in polarity to a toner image carried on a sheet to the pressing belt from the outside surface of the belt. On contacting the pressing belt, the sheet is polarized with the result that a force attracting it toward the pressing belt increases. The sheet is therefore conveyed via the nip while being attracted by the belt 19 and does not or substantially does not wrap around the fixing roller.