US Patent 7438382 Method of maintaining a printhead using contact angle hysteresis

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.