Patent ID: 6837566

Claim:
A flushing control method for an ink jet recording apparatus comprising an ink jet recording head provided with a nozzle formation face on which nozzle orifices for ejecting ink drops in accordance with print data are formed; a capping member which seals the nozzle formation face, the capping member having an inner space formed with a bottom; and an ink absorbing member provided on the bottom of the inner space of the capping member; the method comprising the steps of: counting an accumulated number of ink drops ejected to the inner space of the capping member; judging whether the accumulated number reaches a predetermined value; performing an idle suction, in which a part of ink absorbed in the ink absorbing member is sucked while the capping member is separated from the nozzle formation face, when the accumulated number reaches a predetermined value; and resetting the accumulated number when the idle suction is performed.