Liquid ink imaging system

Claim 1

An electrostatographic imaging apparatus comprising a photoconductor assembly; means for positioning the inner surface of a dielectric web against said photoconductor whereby an air gap is formed between said photoconductor and said web; first charging means for applying a charge to the outer surface of said web, means for exposing a light pattern through the charged web, whereby the air gap is ionized and forms a latent image on the inner surface of the web; means for guiding the latent image bearing web away from the photoconductor, including a first conductive roller biased at a potential sufficient to prevent charge transfer from said assembly to said web as the web is guided away from the photoconductor; means for guiding the latent image bearing web away from the first roller to expose the outer surface of the web, including a second conductive roller biased at a potential sufficient to prevent transfer from said first roller to said web; second charging means for applying a charge to the outer surface of said web when said web is in contact with said second roller, said charge being sufficient to neutralize said first charge; means for guiding the latent image bearing web away from the second roller, including a third conductive roller having an insulating coating thereon, said third roller being biased at a potential to prevent charge transfer from said second roller to said web; a liquid developing system for developing the latent image on said web; and means for transferring said developed image from said web to an image copy member.