Abstract: A method for positioning a cartridge by allowing the fitting portion of the ink cartridge to engage with the ink supply tube supporting portion of the ink cartridge housing when the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink cartridge housing includes the steps of positioning the ink supply tube and the ink cartridge fitting portion by guiding the ink cartridge by means of the engagement between the ink cartridge housing member and the ink cartridge until the fitting portion of the ink cartridge and the supporting portion of the ink supply tube begin to engage with each other; and completing the mounting of the ink cartridge on the ink cartridge housing member by loosening at least partly the engagement between the ink cartridge housing member and the ink cartridge after the engagement is made between the fitting portion of the ink cartridge and the supporting portion of the ink supply tube.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus detects the temperature and humidity of the environment in which the ink jet recording apparatus is used when the power-supply is turned on, and checks the detected levels. If the detected levels are lower than the predetermined levels, no ink exhaust is executed as uniquely set, but the number of predischarges is set in accordance with the detected levels. Hence the recording apparatus rises. Also, the standby time of the recording apparatus is measured, and after the recording apparatus rises, the recovery mode is automatically selected in accordance with the temperature, humidity, and standby time. Also, depending on the conditions, the predischarges are executed in the number of discharges which has been changed, thus making it possible to reduce the ink consumption for the operations other than printing, and implement shortening the time required for the recovery operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which an imaged sheet is discharged onto a stacking portion, includes a recording device for forming an image on a sheet, a discharge device for discharging a sheet on which the image was formed onto the stacking portion, a support means disposed downstream of the discharge device in a sheet discharging direction along a width-wise direction of the sheet to be discharged to support one surface of the sheet, and a shift device for shifting the support device between a support position to support the sheet to be discharged above the stacking portion and a retard position so as not to support the sheet.