Patent ID: 7097733

Claim:
A method of fabricating an endless intermediate transfer member incorporated in an image forming member such that a toner image developed on an image carrier is temporarily transferred thereon, the method comprising steps of: preparing a substrate sheet in which a flame retardant layer comprised of a flame retardant agent having extinguishability is sandwiched between resinous layers; laminating a conductive layer on a first face of the substrate sheet, and laminating a resistive layer on the conductive layer to form a sheet member; opposing both end face of the sheet member while forming a clearance therebetween; placing a first welding member having a first width larger than a width of the clearance, on a second face of the substrate sheet; and welding the first welding member with the end faces of the sheet member such that the first welding member is melted and pushed into the clearance while the flame retardant agent situated in the vicinity of the end faces is pushed out from the clearance, thereby forming a joint portion.