Patent ID: 8251487

Claim:
An image recording apparatus comprising: an image recording unit that includes a recording head for jetting ink onto a recording medium and performing a recording process; a carrier mechanism for mounting and carrying the recording medium; a movement mechanism for moving the carrier mechanism; a recovery mechanism for applying a recovery process to the recording head; and a recovery mechanism control unit for moving the recovery mechanism to a first position opposing the recording head when performing the recovery process and for accommodating the recovery mechanism to a second position out of a carrier route of the carrier mechanism; wherein the recovery mechanism comprises an ink tray member for receiving ink jetted from the recording head, and when the recovery mechanism is accommodated in the second position the recovery mechanism control unit tilts the ink tray member lower than the first position; and wherein the recovery mechanism control unit gradually tilts the ink tray member according to an amount of jetted ink in the recovery process to move the recovery mechanism to the second position.