Patent ID: 7639971

Claim:
Apparatus for the electrographic printing or copying using liquid coloring agents, comprising: a latent image carrier ( 1 ), a coloring agent supply element ( 3 ) disposed adjacent the latent image carrier ( 1 ) including a slot-like application nozzle ( 3 a , 3 b ) via which the liquid coloring agent is applied to the latent image carrier ( 1 ), a removal device ( 4 ) arranged adjacent the image carrier ( 1 ) and in the direction of rotation of the image carrier ( 1 ), closely adjacent the coloring agent supply nozzle ( 3 a , 3 b ), a return flow channel ( 6 a , 6 b ), a final excess coloring agent removal element ( 4 ) with a suction nozzle ( 4 a ) arranged adjacent the image carrier ( 1 ) in spaced relationship from the return flow channel ( 6 a , 6 b ) for removing excess coloring agent therefrom and an uncoupling element ( 9 ) arranged between a nozzle ( 4 a ) of the excess coloring agent removal elements ( 4 ) and the coloring agent return channel ( 6 a , 6 b ) and being in open communication with the ambient for uncoupling the excess coloring agent removal element ( 4 ) from the return flow channel ( 6 a , 6 b ).