US Patent 7367648 Printhead maintenance assembly with film transport of ink

A printhead maintenance assembly for maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided. The maintenance assembly comprises (i) a printhead assembly comprising a printhead having an ink ejection face and a film guide sealingly bonded to the face, the film guide being positioned to guide a film through a transfer zone defined by a plane spaced apart from the face; and (ii) an ink transport assembly comprising a film and a transport mechanism for feeding the film through the transfer zone and away from the printhead. In use, the film sealingly contacts with the film guide thereby forming a cavity defined at least partially by the film, the film guide and the face.