Wet capping system for inkjet printheads

A method of servicing an inkjet printhead used in an inkjet printing mechanism, comprising the steps of:

• capping the printhead through relative movement of the printhead and a cap until a capped position is reached where the printhead is sealed against a wicking surface of the cap, wherein the wicking surface comprises a domed surface, and wherein the relative movement of the capping step comprises translationally moving the printhead over the domed wicking surface of the cap into the capped position;
• in the capped position, wicking ink through capillary action from the printhead onto the cap wicking surface;
• and
• in the capped position, dissolving any dried ink residue on the printhead using the wicked ink.

A method of servicing an inkjet printhead used in an inkjet printing mechanism, comprising the steps of:

• capping the printhead through relative movement of the printhead and a cap until a capped position is reached where the printhead is sealed against a wicking surface of the cap;
• in the capped position, wicking ink through capillary action from the printhead onto the cap wicking surface;
• in the capped position, dissolving any dried ink residue on the printhead using the wicked ink;
• uncapping the printhead after the dissolving step;
• firing the uncapped printhead to eject ink and wet the printhead;
• and
• after the firing step, wiping the printhead to remove therefrom any dissolved ink residue and wet ink.

A method of servicing an inkjet printhead used in an inkjet printing mechanism, comprising the steps of:

• capping the printhead through relative movement of the printhead and a cap until a capped position is reached where the printhead is sealed against a wicking surface of the cap;
• in the capped position, wicking ink through capillary action from the printhead onto the cap wicking surface;
• in the capped position, dissolving any dried ink residue on the printhead using the wicked ink;
• wherein the cap is of a compressible material, and the wicking surface comprises a convex surface;
• wherein the capping step comprises gradually contacting the printhead with the convex wicking surface to compress the cap in the capped position;
• prior to the capping step, prewetting the cap by firing the printhead to deposit ink on the wicking surface;
• after the dissolving step, uncapping the printhead;
• firing the uncapped printhead to eject ink and wet the printhead;
• after the firing step, wiping the printhead to remove therefrom any dissolved ink residue and wet ink;
• and
• substantially simultaneously with the step of wiping the printhead, scraping the cap with a cap scraper.

An inkjet printing mechanism, comprising:

• a chassis;
• a printhead mounted to the chassis for reciprocal movement across a print zone and a service station chamber portion of the chassis;
• and
• a service station within the service station chamber that selectively services the printhead, the service station including a frame supported by the chassis, and a cap supported by the frame to selectively seal the printhead in a capped position through relative movement of the printhead and cap, the cap having a wicking surface against which the printhead is sealed in the capped position, with the wicking surface of a material which extracts ink from the printhead through capillary action, and wherein the cap wicking surface comprises a convex surface.