Patent ID: 11868063
Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
Field: Optics (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 14:
15. An imaging system comprising:
a photosensitive body having a surface on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed;
a developing device to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive body; and
a developer collecting device to collect a developer discharged from the developing device,
wherein the developing device includes:
a developer carrier to carry the developer;
a conveyance path to circulate the developer and to supply the developer to the developer carrier;
a discharge path extending from the conveyance path and including a discharge port to discharge a portion of the developer as excess developer; and
a valve body provided between the conveyance path and the discharge port, wherein the valve body includes an inlet side directed to the conveyance path and an outlet side disposed opposite the inlet side, to allow a passage of the excess developer from the conveyance path through the valve body toward the discharge port, when a pressure applied to the inlet side is greater than a pressure threshold value.