Patent ID: 6854826

Claim:
An operation method for an ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes discharge orifices having first ink orifices for discharging a first ink, said first ink containing urea, and second ink orifices for discharging a second ink, said second ink not containing urea and having waterproof properties different from said first ink, a cap for covering said discharge orifices, and suction means for effecting suction through said discharge orifices when said cap covers said discharge orifices, said method comprising: a covering step for covering both said first ink orifices and said second ink orifices collectively by said cap; a suction step for effecting suction through both said first ink orifices and said second ink orifices by driving said suction means when said cap covers both said first ink orifices and said second ink orifices collectively; a discharge step, performed after said suction step, for discharging ink from both said first ink orifices and said second ink orifices into said cap so that the first ink and the second ink are mixed in said cap; and an exhausting step, performed after said discharge step, for exhausting ink out of said cap by driving said suction means when an inside of said cap communicates with air.