Patent ID: 6081282
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A cap mechanism comprising:a cap which is brought into hermetic engagement with an ink discharge surface of a recording means having ink discharge opening and which is connected to a pump means to draw ink from the ink discharge opening;a holding means to hold the cap;a pressing means to push a central portion of the holding means toward the recording means to bring the cap into hermetic engagement with the ink discharge surface; anda mount supporting the pressing means and reciprocally movable toward the cap;wherein the cap is formed of an elastic member and has a suction surface engageable with the ink discharge surface and a back surface engageable with a cap supporting surface of the holding means;wherein a gap is formed between the back surface of the cap and the cap supporting surface of the holding means;wherein a distance in the gap between the back surface and the cap supporting surface progressively decreases from a central portion toward end portions of the back surface, and the end portions of the back surface are engaged with the holding means.