| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the mechanical characteristic of the seam part of a flexible image producing belt for electrostatic copy. SOLUTION: The image producing belt 10 having a seam 30 is annularly formed by connecting a belt member including a thermoplastic polymer matrix layer at the seam part. The belt 10 is supported by a support tube 90 having a surface having at least a nearly semicircular cross section whose radius of curvature is about 9.5 to 50 mm, and the run direction can be changed. A carbon dioxide laser 103 is arranged on top of the tube 90 so as to perform irradiation. The laser 103 scans the entire length of the seam with the laser beam having a narrow gauss wavelength distribution of about 10.4 to 11.2 μm when the seam 30 comes to the irradiation position. The laser beam heats the seam, so that the stress in the belt caused by bending is released when the support member passes. The seam discharges the imparted heat to the main part of the support member, so that the temperature falls, and the seam is separated from the tube 90. |
