Patent ID: 6390595
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink jet device comprising:an ink head assembly movable between an operational area for ink ejection and a standby area for a recovery operation, said ink head assembly having an ink head for ejecting ink through an ink ejection nozzle; a cap member for closing said nozzle and a cap support installed in a base for supporting said cap member, said cap support being movable by movement of said ink head assembly to carry said cap member between a capping position wherein said cap member closes said ink ejection nozzle and a non-capping position wherein said cap member is retracted from said ink ejection nozzle; and a wiper assembly including a wiper element for wiping said ink ejection nozzle and a wiper support for supporting said wiper element, said wiper support engageable with said cap support, such that movement of said cap support to carry said cap member to said capping position also moves said wiper support to carry said wiper element to a contact position in which said wiper element can contact said ink ejection nozzle, and wherein said wiper support can be moved upon contact with said ink head assembly to shift said wiper element to a non-contact position in which said wiper element cannot contact said ink ejection nozzle.