Ink jet recording apparatus

An ink jet recording apparatus for projecting ink onto a recording medium comprising an ink jet head adapted to receive ink having an ejection nozzle means for ejecting said ink out of said ink jet head towards said recording medium, ink tank means for storing said ink and for supplying said stored ink to said ink jet head, switching means for selectively switching between a first condition where said ink tank means is in fluid communication with said ink jet head so that ink stored in said ink tank means can be supplied to said ink jet head for use during a printing operation, and a second condition where said ink jet head is vented to atmosphere during a no print condition, cap means for selectively covering said ejection nozzle means and suction means for creating a negative pressure in said cap means, said cap means drawing ink and air out of said ink jet head through said ejection nozzle means in response to the negative pressure created by said suction means, said cap means essentially clearing said ink jet head of ink when said switching means is in said second condition whereby ink clogging and corrosion during said no print condition can be essentially prevented, further comprising control means for controlling the operation of said switching means and said suction means, said control means including detector means for detecting predetermined conditions, said detector means including temperature detector means for detecting ambient temperatures, said detector means actuating said control means when said temperature detector means detects a temperature outside of a predetermined range.

A printer comprising a frame, a platen, a carriage slidably supported on said frame for travel essentially parallel to said platen, an ink jet head supported on said carriage for travel therewith, said ink jet head having ejection nozzle means facing said platen for projecting ink onto a recording medium against said platen, ink supply means for supplying ink to said ink jet head, valve means for switching between a first condition where said ink supply means is placed in fluid connection with said ink jet head for supplying ink thereto and a second condition where said ink jet head is vented to atmosphere, cap means supported on said frame proximate said platen for selectively covering said ejection nozzle means, suction means for creating a suction in said cap means, drive means for selectively moving said cap means into intimate engagement with said ejection nozzle means so that said suction created by said suction means can draw ink out of said ejection nozzle means, and control means for controlling the operation of said valve means, cap means, suction means and drive means during a printing start operation and a printing operation, ink being supplied to said ink jet head when said valve means is in said first condition during said printing operation, said cap means covering said ejection nozzle means when said printing operation is completed, said cap means essentially clearly said ink jet head of ink when said switching means is in said second condition whereby ink clogging and corrosion during said no print condition can be essentially prevented, said cap means being removed from said ejection nozzle means and said printing operation commences when said valve means is in said first condition during said printing start operation, said suction means refilling said ink jet head with ink and said printing operation commencing after said valve means switches from said second condition to said first condition when said valve means is initially in said second condition during said printing start operation.