An ink jet type recording apparatus in which two recording heads are mounted on one and the same carriage in such a manner that their spatial relationship is fixed, and the heads are positively sealed simultaneously by a capping means. A first cap member 13 adapted to seal the first recording head is provided near an end, proximate to the printing region, of a slider 20, which lifts a base stand according to the movement of a carriage. The first cap member has an air communication hole, and an ink suction hole therein. In addition, a second cap member 14 adapted to seal the second recording head is mounted through elastic members 74 and 75 on the slider 20. The second cap member 14 has an air communication hole, and an ink suction hole therein. The end of the slider 20, proximate to the non-printing region, is supported with an arm 30 which is elastically pressed vertically upwardly of the printing region. The two cap members are fixedly spaced from each other. The first cap member, is slidingly fitted over the first recording head by means of elastic members 31 and 32, thereby making sealing contact with the first recording head; while similarly the second cap member, is slidingly fitted over the second recording head by means of elastic members 74 and 75 interposed between the second cap member and the slider, thereby making sealing contact with the second recording head.
Cap holders (60, 70) are accommodation in a holder receiving member (40) in such a state that the cap holders are urged by springs toward the side of a recording head at two places with inclinations at angles of .theta.1, .theta.2 in the moving direction of a carriage and at an angle of .theta.3 in a direction perpendicular thereto. Moments are produced by giving a difference to the distance between the whole periphery of a cap and the recording head, and peeling is effected from one point, so that the sealing of the recording head and the peeling of the cap off the recording head are made compatible.
Cap holders (60, 70) are accommodation in a holder receiving member (40) in such a state that the cap holders are urged by springs toward the side of a recording head at two places with inclinations at angles of .theta.1, .theta.2 in the moving direction of a carriage and at an angle of .theta.3 in a direction perpendicular thereto. Moments are produced by giving a difference to the distance between the whole periphery of a cap and the recording head, and peeling is effected from one point, so that the sealing of the recording head and the peeling of the cap off the recording head are made compatible.
A pump for an inkjet printer applying a negative pressure to an inkjet head nozzle, includes: a tube connected to the inkjet head nozzle and being U-shaped; a plurality of rollers which contact an inner arch of the tube and having a tapered shape; and a rotor to which the plurality of rollers are rotatably mounted. When the rotor rotates in a direction, at least one of the plurality of rollers rotate and squeeze the tube. When the rotor stops rotating, the plurality of rollers return to a state in which the plurality of rollers do not squeeze the tube due to a recovering force of the tube. The squeezing of the tube generates the negative pressure in the inkjet head nozzle.
A cleaning device for cleaning a nozzle surface of an ink-jet head has a first wiping member for wiping a nozzle surface of an ink-jet head and a second wiping member for wiping the first wiping member, and a lever driving mechanism for moving the first wiping member between a retracted position located away from the nozzle surface and a wiping position for wiping the nozzle surface. The second wiping member is formed of an elastic body and is arranged within a moving path of the first wiping member, so that it contacts with the first wiping member for only a limited period, whereby reducing in wear of these wiping members.
