Abstract: An ink jet printer has a recovery system for restoring the function of the ink nozzles during a standby mode of the ink head. The recovery system includes a wiper for wiping the nozzle surface of the ink head and cap members for capping the nozzles for ink absorption operation, both driven by the movement of the ink head assembly. The ink head assembly first moves in the first direction from the operational area to the standby area to cap the nozzles by the cap members, moves in the opposite direction to wipe the nozzle surface using the wiper, moves again in the first direction for ink purging, and then returns to the operational area.

Abstract: A print head for an ink jet printer of the present invention includes a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, an ink passage fluidly communicated to the nozzles, and a filter disposed in the ink passage. The ink passage has a hydrophobic wall upstream of the filter and a hydrophilic wall downstream of the filter. The print head is capable of reducing the deposition of bubbles on a nozzle portion and thereby insuring desirable printing free from defective ink ejection.

Abstract: An ink jet printer comprises a cap having a shape that defines a cavity around the printhead, a cap body formed with a lip region and a beam extending across the cavity, and a basin structure formed with a vent for providing an exit passage from the cavity through a vent port. The cap body and the basin structure cooporate to define a capillary space to create an effective seal between the cavity and the vent associated therewith.

Abstract: A paper guide mechanism for a serial printer wherein print paper can be prevented from being soiled by contact thereof with an ink ribbon or an ink ribbon guide plate while also leaping out of the ink ribbon through a printing hole of the ink ribbon guide plate is prevented. A paper guide plate is disposed in such a manner as to assure a gap from a print head so that the ink ribbon may not leap out readily from the printing hole of the ink ribbon guide plate mounted on the paper guide plate. The paper guide plate is so shaped that, when the ink ribbon guide plate is mounted on the paper guide plate, the ink ribbon guide plate presents a concave configuration toward the platen so as to prevent contact between the ink ribbon guide plate and print paper as far as possible.