Device for servicing an ink jet print head on a hand held printer

A printing device comprising:

• a cap sized to cooperatively engage a printing element, wherein the cap is movable from an open position to a closed position;
• a plurality of cleaning elements, wherein the plurality of cleaning elements are carried by the cap and at least one cleaning element of the plurality of cleaning elements is configured to engage the printing element as the cap moves from the open position to the closed position;
• and
• a plurality of gaskets carried by the cap, at least one gasket of the plurality of gaskets abutting the at least one cleaning element of the plurality of cleaning elements, wherein each gasket of the plurality of gaskets is configured to form a seal adjacent to the printing element;
• wherein the printing device is configured to:
• transition the cap from the open position to the closed position;
• slide the at least one cleaning element adjacent to the printing element;
• seal the at least one gasket around the printing element;
• and
• create a vacuum by the cooperative deformation of the at least one cleaning element and the at least one gasket against the printing element.

A printing method comprising:

• using at least one gasket from a plurality of gaskets that abut at least one cleaning element from a plurality of cleaning elements;
• transitioning a cap from an open position to a closed position, wherein transitioning the cap from the open position to the closed position comprises:
• sliding at least one cleaning element adjacent to the printing element as the cap transitions from the open position to the closed position;
• sealing the at least one gasket around the printing element as the cap transitions from the open position to the closed position;
• and
• creating a vacuum by the cooperative deformation of the at least one cleaning element and the at least one gasket against the printing element as the cap transitions from the open position to the closed position.