Ink jet type image recording apparatus having ink purging and flushing mechanism capable of providing proper purging or flushing timing

An ink jet type image recording apparatus to be used in combination with a host computer for forming an image on an image recording medium, the host computer including a clock means driven by an uninterruptible power supply, and memory means for storing a time counted by the clock means, the memory means also storing therein a printing timing, the ink jet type image recording apparatus comprising:

• a main power supply means;
• a print head having a plurality of nozzles through which ink is ejected for forming the image;
• nozzle recovery mechanism for purging or flushing an interior of the nozzles of the print head;
• a timer for counting a time elapsing period as a first period starting at a turning ON timing of the main power supply means or at a completion timing of a nozzle recovery operation by the nozzle recovery mechanism;
• means for storing the first period;
• means for storing a predetermined period;
• means for receiving and storing a time elapsing period as a second period starting at a preceding printing timing which has been stored in the memory means;
• and
• control means connected to the timer, the recovery mechanism, and the storing means for operating the nozzle recovery mechanism prior to printing operation if one of the first and second periods whichever is longer exceeds the predetermined period.

An ink jet type image recording apparatus to be used in combination with a host computer for forming an image on an image recording medium, the host computer including a clock means driven by an uninterruptible power supply, the ink jet type image recording apparatus comprising:

• a main power supply means;
• a print head having a plurality of nozzles through which ink is ejected for forming the image;
• nozzle recovery mechanism for purging or flushing an interior of the nozzles of the print head;
• means for storing a completion timing of the latest purging or flushing operation by the nozzle recovery mechanism;
• means for receiving and storing a present time instant as a second time instant from the clock means;
• means for storing a predetermined period;
• means for counting a time in response to turning ON timing of the main power supply means, the counting means counting time starting from the completion timing of the latest purging or flushing operation for indicating a first time instant;
• means for computing a time elapsing period by subtracting the completion timing of the latest purging or flashing operation from the first time instant;
• and
• means for controlling an operation timing of the nozzle recovery mechanism, the control means having judging means where judgment is made as to whether or not the time elapsing period is greater than the predetermined period for starting operation of the nozzle recovery mechanism if the judgment falls yes.

An ink jet type image recording apparatus to be used in combination with a host computer for forming an image on an image recording medium, the host computer including a clock means driven by an uninterruptible power supply, the ink jet type image recording apparatus comprising:

• main power supply means;
• a print head having a plurality of nozzles through which ink is ejected for forming the image;
• nozzle recovery mechanism for purging or flushing an interior of the nozzles of the print head;
• first storage means for storing a completion time instant at which the latest purging operation is completed;
• second storage means for storing a second time instant provided by the clock means of the host computer;
• computing means for computing a time elapsing period from the completion time instant to the second time instant;
• and
• control means connected to the first storage means, the second storage means, and the nozzle recovery mechanism for operating the nozzle recovery mechanism if the computed time elapsing period is equal to or greater than a predetermined period.