In a fixing unit 230, a medium introducing port 250 is provided
near a gripping part 230a of a housing 230, and a sheet material
90 to be subjected to a fixing process is guided to the medium introducing
port. A shutter 260 is provided slanted at a given angle with respect to
a gripping surface 240 of the gripping part 230a of the fixing
unit 230 such that the shutter has a fulcrum at a part thereof, which is
closer to the gripping part 230a of the fixing unit 230, at
the medium introducing port 250, and the shutter 260 is turnable
to a position to close the medium introducing port 250 while resisting the
urging forces of the twisted springs 270.