Patent ID: 6149261
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink jet apparatus for use with an ink jet head with an ejection orifice for ejecting ink and an exchangeable ink container for containing ink to be supplied to said ink jet head, the apparatus comprising:a cap for capping said ejection orifice;sucking means for sucking ink from said ejection orifice when said cap caps said ejection orifice after said ink container is exchanged; andcontrol means for controlling said cap and said sucking means so that said sucking means sucks ink form said ejection orifice when said cap caps said ejection orifice;wherein the ink container includes an ink absorbing member, said control means controls said sucking means so that said sucking means sucks ink from said ejection orifice when said cap caps said ejection orifice after said ink container is exchanged, and then said control means controls said cap to be separated from said ejection orifice and held away therefrom, without laterally moving said ink jet head relative to said cap, for a predetermined duration of time, during which a sucking operation is not performed by said sucking means and ink drawn into the ink jet head in the sucking operation is returned toward the ink container by negative pressure produced by the ink absorbing member, and after said predetermined duration of time said control means controls said cap and said sucking means so that said cap again caps said ejection orifice and said sucking means again sucks ink from said ejection orifice.