Abstract: In a method of making a spark plug, a recess is provided on an end surface of the electrode blank metal. A straight neck portion is provided around the recess, and forming a tapered surface connecting from the straight neck portion toward an opposite side of the recess. A disc-shaped tip is placed in the recess of the electrode blank metal. The disc-shaped tip is pressed against an inner bottom of the recess in the axial direction of the electrode blank metal, and a laser beam welding is applied to an outer wall of the recess substantially all through its circumferential length by rotating the electrode blank metal.

Abstract: A discharge maintaining and recovery apparatus which maintains and recovers a state of ink discharge from a recording head which discharges ink on a recording medium. The apparatus comprises an ink receiver capable of receiving ink, and a transporting device which connects the ink receiver to an exhaust ink receiving member. The ink receiving member receives ink exhausted by the discharge maintaining and recovery process and the transporting device transports ink to an exhaust ink receiving member. In addition, a controller controls a first discharge maintaining and recovery process for exhausting ink by driving the recording head, and a second discharge maintaining and recovery process for exhausting ink by driving the transporting device.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head for recording on a recording medium with the discharge of ink; a cap for covering a face of a recording head formed with a discharge port for discharging ink, the cap having an ink flow path with an ink suction port on an interior side thereof, and an ink exhaust port communicating with the ink suction port and located on the other side opposite to the ink suction port, the ink exhaust port of the ink flow path having an area smaller than that of the ink suction port; an ink absorbing member disposed within the cap, the ink absorbing member covering a part of the ink suction port, and maintaining the remaining part thereof open; and a suction device for exerting a suction force on the inside of the cap, the suction device communicating with the ink exhaust port.

Abstract: A recording apparatus performs recording with an ink jet recording head that is capable of ejecting ink onto a recording medium. The recording apparatus includes an ink receiving section disposed at a position to be able to oppose an orifice-formed face of the recording head, a preliminary ejection unit for causing ink ejection from discharging orifices toward said ink receiving section by driving said recording head to remove causes of defective ink ejection, an absorption unit for absorbing ink remaining in the ink receiving section as a result of ink ejection by the preliminary ejection unit, and a dry absorption control unit. The dry absorption control unit causes ink absorption by driving the absorption unit when a number of preliminary ejection caused by the preliminary ejection unit, from the time of an absorption previously executed by the dry absorption unit during recording, exceeds a predetermined number.

Abstract: A suction recovery device comprises a cap for covering a discharge port face of a recording head for discharging ink onto a recording medium. The cap has an ink suction port and an ink exhaust path communicating with the ink suction port. A cap direct contact member carries said cap and has a guide path communicating with the exhaust path for guiding the ink in an exhaust direction. A communicating member for communicating the guide path and exhaust path is provided on a direct contact portion where the exhaust path and guide path contact with each other. The communicating member is carried with the elasticity exhibited by at least one of the exhaust path and guide path and suction means exerts suction power on the inside of the cap through the communicating member.