Patent ID: 8366257

Claim:
An inkjet recording apparatus comprising: a droplet ejection head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink; a head tank mounted on the droplet ejection head, the head tank temporarily storing a certain amount of ink, the head tank creating negative pressure in the droplet ejection head; a tube connected to the head tank; an ink cartridge connected via the tube to the head tank, the ink cartridge storing ink; and a liquid-feed pump disposed at the tube between the ink cartridge and the head tank to feed ink in forward feeding from the ink cartridge to the head tank through the tube, the liquid-feed pump operable in reverse to feed ink in reverse feeding from the head tank through the tube to the ink cartridge and create negative pressure in the head tank, wherein the head tank including an air release valve, and when creating negative pressure, the head tank is opened to atmosphere via the air release valve and ink is fed in the forward feeding from the ink cartridge to the head tank, and then the air release valve is closed and ink is fed in the reverse feeding from the head tank to the ink cartridge to create the negative pressure in the head tank, and wherein ink passes same route in the forward feeding as that in the reverse feeding.