Patent ID: 6189997
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:a carriage on which is mountable a recording head provided with discharge ports to discharge ink, and which is movable to move said recording head;a cap, wherein said cap and said recording head are relatively movable between at least a separation position in which said cap and said recording head are separated from each other and a covering position in which said cap covers said discharge ports;a pump to suck ink from said discharge ports through said cap when said cap covers said discharge ports; andcontrol means for controlling said recording head to wait for a given period of time in a position at which said recording head faces said cap subsequent to suction of ink from the discharge ports through the cap by said pump in the covering position, subsequent to separation of said cap, and said recording head in the separation position and before subsequent movement of said carriage;wherein after said control means controls said recording head to wait for the given period of time, said carriage moves said recording head to a non-facing position where said recording head does not face said cap, and ink retained in said cap is sucked by said pump.