Patent ID: 8827418

Claim:
An ink jet printing apparatus for printing by using a print head having an ejection port surface in which ejection ports for ejecting ink are formed, said apparatus comprising: a cap that covers the ejection port surface, said cap being switchable between a first condition, where an inside of said cap is in communication with air, and a second condition, where the inside of said cap is not in communication with air; a pump configured to generate negative pressure in said cap; a valve disposed between said cap and said pump and configured to switch between a first condition, where said cap and said pump are in communication with each other, and a second condition, where said cap and said pump are not in communication with each other; and a control unit for controlling said pump, said valve, and the condition of said cap, said control unit executing: a first suction operation to suck ink from the print head by driving said pump with said cap in the second condition and said valve in the first condition, a second suction operation, after the first suction operation, to discharge ink remaining in said cap by driving said pump with said cap in the first condition and said valve in the first condition, and a third suction operation, after the second suction operation, to suck ink from the print head by driving said pump with said valve in the second condition and then switching said valve from the second condition to the first condition with said cap in the second condition.