Patent ID: 6213582
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink jet recording apparatus for use with ink jet recording means for discharging ink onto a recording medium, the recording means including an ink jet recording head with a first surface defining at least one discharge port and a second surface surrounding the first surface, said apparatus comprising:a carriage member for movably supporting and mounting the recording means;a cleaning device for cleaning the ink jet recording head, said cleaning device being formed of an elastic plate-like member having a first cleaning member for primarily cleaning the first surface and a second cleaning member for primarily cleaning the second surface;displacing means for displacing said cleaning device between a cleaning position at which said cleaning device cleans the ink jet recording head and a non-cleaning position at which said cleaning device is remote from the ink jet recording head; anda control member for controlling relative movement between said carriage member and said displacing means to control cleaning of the ink jet recording head by said cleaning device,wherein said cleaning device is formed such that said first cleaning member contacts the ink jet recording head before said second cleaning member during relative movement between said cleaning device and the ink jet recording head in a cleaning direction and said second cleaning member is divided into two portions each facing the cleaning direction, with each one of said two portions disposed on each lateral side of said first cleaning member with respect to the cleaning direction.