Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes first and second cartridges, each containing ink and a water ink collection unit and detachably mounted on the apparatus, a recovery mechanism for performing recovery operation for a recording head, and a distribution path for distributing the waste ink generated in the recovery operation into the waste ink collection units of the first and second cartridges.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a discharge port surface of an ink jet recording apparatus includes wiping the surface using a blade having a certain contact area with the surface and rubbing the surface using a rubbing member having a larger contact area with the surface than the blade. The wiping and rubbing operations are performed independently of each other so that their different purposes can be better accomplished. For example, since rubbing the surface need not be done as often as wiping, they can both be performed at optimum intervals. The rubbing member can be removably mounted to a replacement ink cartridge so that the rubbing member can be conveniently replaced at the same time as the cartridge.

Abstract: A recovery device for an ink jet recording apparatus having a cup for an ink discharge port of a recording head and a suction device communicating with the cap for sucking ink from the ink discharge port includes a communicating tube, a communicating valve, and a ventilating valve. The communication tube communicates with the cap and a subtank which supplies ink to the recording head. A communicating valve connects and disconnects communication of the cap with the subtank and is provided in an intermediate portion of the tube. A ventilating valve communicates the interior of the tube with the atmosphere and is provided separately from the communicating valve.

Abstract: A resistor is provided which comprises an insulation substrate, a resistive layer prepared from inorganic materials and printed on the insulation substrate, and an insulation layer prepared from borosilicate lead glass and overcoated on the resistive layer. The insulation layer contains an oxide of at least one transition metal selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, chromium, cobalt, zinc, copper, zirconium, and cadmium. In the course of operation, the resistor of the present invention exhibits no changes in its resistance, irrespective of the length of time it may be operated.

Abstract: A hopper includes a peripheral side wall having upper and lower open ends, and a conical body provided inside the peripheral side wall to define an annular space for storing solid material therebetween. The lower open end of the peripheral wall is separated from the conical body to define an annular discharge point therebetween.