Flexible imaging member belt seam smoothing method

Apparatus for the post treatment of an ultrasonically welded seamed flexible imaging member belt to produce a smooth seam region comprising:

• a lower support member having a smooth upper flat surface adapted to receive and support a seam region of a welded seamed flexible imaging member belt comprising thermoplastic polymer material having a predetermined glass transition temperature;
• an upper heatable strip having a smooth lower heatable flat surface, the lower heatable flat surface of the heatable strip having a profile which is parallel to the smooth flat surface of the support member, the lower heatable flat surface comprising a low surface energy or abhesive material, the strip aligned for centering over the seam region, and wherein the strip has a width of between about 6 mm and about 30 mm;
• and
• a rotatable compression wheel located so as to contact the upper heatable strip to compress the strip against the seam region;
• wherein the lower support member and the upper heatable strip are located so as to directly contact the flexible imaging member belt;
• and
• wherein the rotatable compression wheel moves transversely across the seam region.