Abstract: A method of maintaining a printhead in an operable condition and/or remediating a printhead to an operable condition is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing an endless maintenance belt having a contact surface for sealing engagement with an ink ejection face of the printhead; (ii) moving the belt into a first position in which a clean part of the contact surface is sealingly engaged with the face; (iii) moving said belt into a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from the face, thereby providing an inked part of the contact surface; (iv) conveying the belt such that the inked part of the contact surface is conveyed away from the printhead and past a cleaning station, the cleaning station cleaning the inked part of the contact surface; and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii) to (iv).

Abstract: A method of sealing nozzles on an ink ejection face of a printhead is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing an elastically deformable pad having a contact surface for sealing engagement with the ink ejection face; and (b) moving the pad from a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from the face to a first position in which the contact surface is sealingly engaged with the face. The movement causes the contact surface to be progressively contacted with the face during sealing engagement.

Abstract: A method of removing ink flooded across an ink ejection face of a printhead is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing an elastically deformable pad having a contact surface for sealing engagement with an ink ejection face of the printhead; and (b) moving the pad from a first position in which the contact surface is sealingly engaged with the face to a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from thee face. The movement causes the contact surface to be peeled away from the face during disengagement.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing an elastically deformable pad having a contact surface for sealing engagement with an ink ejection face of the printhead; and (b) reciprocally moving the pad between a first position in which the contact surface is sealingly engaged with the face and a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from the face. The movement causes a contact angle hysteresis such that ink is wicked from the printhead onto the contact surface during disengagement, but remains substantially in or on the printhead during engagement.

Abstract: Provided is a printhead maintenance station which includes a body defining an elongate slot along a length thereof, and a pad mounted on a pad support inside said body. The pad support is slidably engaged to said housing to be slidable to a first position, where the pad protrudes from the slot, and a second position, where the pad is inside the body. The station also includes an engagement mechanism to displace the pad between the first and second positions.

Abstract: Provided is a printhead assembly including a support structure, and a printhead mounted on the support structure, said printhead having an ink ejection face. The assembly also includes a print media guide proximate the support structure for guiding print media past the printhead for printing, and a wicking element mounted on the support structure between the support structure and the print media guide. Further included is a pad with an angled contact surface to operatively facilitate the transferral of ink from the printhead to the wicking element.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance station for maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided. The maintenance station comprises an elastically deformable pad having a contact surface for sealing engagement with an ink ejection face of the printhead. The contact surface is sloped with respect to the face. The maintenance station further comprises an engagement mechanism for reciprocally moving the pad between a first position in which the contact surface is sealingly engaged with the face, and a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from the face. The engagement mechanism moves the pad substantially perpendicularly with respect to the face.

Abstract: A method of removing ink from an ink ejection face of a printhead is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) moving the ink towards an edge portion of the face; and (b) wicking the ink away from the edge portion.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance station for maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided. The maintenance station comprises (a) an elastically deformable cylinder having a contact surface for sealing engagement with an ink ejection face of the printhead; and (b) an engagement mechanism for reciprocally moving the cylinder between a first position in which the contact surface is sealingly engaged with the face, and a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from the face. The engagement mechanism moves the cylinder substantially perpendicularly with respect to the face.

Abstract: A printhead assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a printhead mounted on a support, the printhead having an ink ejection face. A film cooperates with the support, to define a wicking channel. The wicking channel is positioned for receiving ink from an edge portion of the face and/or an edge portion of a pad being disengaged from said face.