Abstract: An ink jet printer comprises a wiper member for wiping the surface of the ink jet recording head. The ink jet recording head and the wiper member move in the same direction each other to wipe the surface of the ink jet recording head by one operation. In this way, the stabilized wiping is always possible to keep the head surface in an appropriate condition of ink discharges, hence obtaining images in beautiful print quality with the stable ink discharges.

Abstract: A liquid replenishing method into a liquid supply mechanism, the liquid supply mechanism comprising three or more liquid supply paths, each liquid supply path having a sub-tank for temporarily retaining a liquid and for supplying the liquid by guiding the atmosphere thereinto, the liquid replenishing method comprising the steps of preparing a plurality of negative pressure generators, each for replenishing the sub-tank with the liquid, the number of negative pressure generators being smaller than the number of liquid supply paths, and grouping the plurality of liquid supply paths into groups according to the number of negative pressure generators, and establishing a hermetically closed space in a sub-tank with a greatest liquid consumption in each group, and replenishing the liquid while depressurizing the inside of the sub-tank kept as the hermetically closed space, by the negative pressure generator associated with each group.

Abstract: A cassette which can be molted in a recording apparatus includes a first winding member for winding one side of a strip member, a second winding member for winding the other side of the strip member, and a frame for rotatively housing the first and second winding members. A first regulating member regulates the rotation of the first winding member when the cassette is removed from the recording apparatus, and a second regulating member regulates the rotation of the second winding member when the cassette is removed from the recording apparatus. With the simple structure enabling the cassette to be easily assembled, it is possible to prevent the idle run of the winding members as well as the slacking of the strip member.