Electrostatic capillary apparatus for producing an imprint

Claim 1

Apparatus for producing an imprint on a recording carrier, comprising, in combination: a. a hollow cylinder of porous material having a cylindrical wall defining capillary media, said wall enclosing a cavity for containing writing liquid and said wall having an outer surface operatively arranged as discharge means for fluid to be transferred to an imprint receiving surface of such recording carrier, b. means disposed for supplying writing fluid to said capillary media, c. electrode means coupled to said capillary media and composed of at least one electrode in constant contact with said outer surface and an additional electrode within said cavity free from direct contact with the inner surface of said wall, d. means for positioning a recording carrier in close spaced proximity to said capillary media; and e. means electrically coupled to said electrode means for supplying a voltage signal of selected polarity between said additionaL electrode and said electrode in contact with said outer surface and thus across said capillary media, whereby displacement forces occur resulting in electrokinetic movement and discharge of the writing liquid from the capillary media onto such recording carrier.