Maintenance apparatus and method for vaporizing device

A method for maintaining a cleanliness of an ejection head in a fluid ejection and vaporization device having a source of air flow through the fluid ejection and vaporization device and a vaporization heater for vaporizing fluid ejected from the ejection head, the method comprising:

• providing, within the fluid ejection and vaporization device, a movable wiper blade disposed between the ejection head and vaporization heater, the wiper blade being attached to an arm on one end of the arm, wherein a distal end of the arm is attached to an air operated mechanism for moving the arm and wiper blade in a sweeping motion over the ejection head, the air operated mechanism being selected from the group consisting of a spring bellows that is compressed when suction is applied to the fluid ejection and vaporization device and is uncompressed when suction is removed from the fluid ejection and vaporization device and an air operated flapper that pivots on a hinge as air flows through the fluid ejection and vaporization device, the air operated flapper having a biasing spring for causing the sweeping motion of the wiper blade over the ejection head when the air flow ceases through the fluid ejection and vaporization device, and causing a flow of air through the fluid ejection and vaporization device in an amount sufficient to cause movement of the wiper blade reciprocate from a first position to a second position across the ejection head.