Patent ID: 7695095
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An image recording apparatus comprising: an ink-jet head having a plurality of nozzles which are open in a surface thereof so as to provide a nozzle opening surface and through which ink is ejected, the plurality of nozzles being divided into a plurality of nozzle groups; and a plurality of caps which are provided in correspondence with the plurality of nozzle groups, each of which is formed of an elastic material, each of which has a peripheral portion that comes into close contact with the nozzle opening surface at an end thereof, and which are capable of covering the nozzle opening surface such that the peripheral portion of each of the plurality of caps surrounds nozzles which constitute a part of the plurality of nozzles and which belong to a corresponding one of the plurality of nozzle groups, wherein a first cap among the plurality of caps has a hardness higher than that of a second cap which is different from the first cap, wherein the elastic material of the first cap is harder than the elastic material of the second cap.