Patent ID: 7014291

Claim:
An ink jet recording apparatus for recording by discharging ink from recording means of which a discharge port surface is inclined to a horizontal plane, said apparatus comprising: a cap for covering the discharge port surface of the recording means, said cap comprising a suction port, which is arranged at a side lower than horizontal under the capping condition; a pump for effecting suction of ink from the recording means by generating negative pressure in said cap; an ink flow path connecting the suction port to said pump; and control means for controlling movement of at least one of said cap and the recording means to position said cap apart from the discharge port surface, said control means controlling movement of the at least one of said cap and the recording means such that a side of said cap opposite to the side where the suction port is arranged is parted from the discharge port surface, and when said cap and the recording means are positioned apart, said cap may be horizontally postured or the suction port may be positioned lower than horizontal.