To reduce contact pressure between a separating member and a sheet transfer material.

A transfer material S which enters a nip Q5 as an area of press contact of a surface side rotating member 17 adapted to contact the surface side of the sheet transfer material S with a rear side rotating member 18 adapted to contact the rear side thereof and which is carried through the nip Q5 With the rotation of the surface side and rear side rotating members 17, 18 comprises separating members 26, 26' having separating ends 26a, 26a' for separation from the surface of either the surface side rotating member 17 or the rear side rotating member 18, supporting members 24, 24' for rotatably supporting the separating members 26, 26' around the separating ends of the separating members 26, 26' and elastic members 26, 26' for holding the separating members 26, 26' at preset rotational positions.