A method and apparatus for capping the nozzle of a print head of an ink jet recording device for ejecting ink droplets upon a recording medium which comprises capping means which covers the nozzle of the print head of the ink jet recording device for preventing dust from adhering to the nozzle and for eliminating bubbles from getting into the nozzle to prevent the recording ink in the print head from evaporating in combination with purging means composed essentially of suction tube for purging the nozzle of the print head, and which method comprises installing the capping means at a position outside the area of printing of the recording device, and moving the print head to this position when no recording is performed to cap the nozzle face of the print head.

An ink jet system printer includes a capping mechanism for covering a printer head when a carriage is located at a stand-by position. The capping mechanism includes a cap member supported by a slidable plate. The slidable plate is shifted toward the printer head as the printer head moves to the stand-by position through the use of links, whereby the cap member covers the nozzle portion included in the printer head. That is, the slidable plate is shifted by the travelling force of the carriage and, therefore, a separate drive source is not required for the slidable plate.

A small size ink jet printer includes a cover which presses against the ink nozzle openings when the printer is inoperative. The printer head is electrically driven but operation of the nozzle cover is at least partially performed manually. Particularly, the nozzle covering operation which needs a large force, is often manually performed to conserve energy and reduce component size. Circuits detecting and responding to an inadvertent failure to cover the nozzles are also provided.

The invention relates to a covering device for protecting the nozzle area of an ink jet writing head, which device is detachably connected to the ink jet writing head in a sealing manner and forms a cavity which is opened towards the nozzles, into which cavity liquid ink is transported through the nozzles. In order to be able to store and transport an ink jet writing head filled with liquid ink for a long period of time, in particular also as an individual component, for example as a spare part, without the possibility existing the liquid ink of drying in the nozzle area and without enclosed or penetrating air bubbles that can lead to a chemical change of the liquid ink, it is ensured that the covering device (7) is form-coupled to the ink jet writing head (1) and that the cavity (8) comprises a closable ventilation duct (12) which communicates with the atmosphere.

An apparatus for recovering the discharge function of an ink-jet printer by suction comprises a plurality of cap members facing fluid discharge recording means each for ejecting an ink onto a recording surface of a recording medium so as to record an image, wherein each of the cap members comprises a cap slider disposed in a cap holder to be movable in a back-and-forth direction and having a rear end portion provided with a stopper member which can abut against a rear end face of the cap holder; a rubber member disposed in a front opening portion of the cap slider and having an inner portion which can be coupled to the fluid discharge recording means; and a spring member interposed between the cap holder and the cap slider and compressed when the rubber member is depressed backward.