Wet wiping system for inkjet printheads

A wet wiping system for wiping an inkjet printhead used in an inkjet printing mechanism, comprising:

• a service station mounted to a chassis of the printing mechanism;
• and
• a wicking pad having a smooth wicking surface of an ink non-retaining, capillary action inducing material comprising:
• (a) a matte surface of a mylar film,
• (b) an adhesive tape, or
• (c) a skinned material overlaying the wicking pad, when the wicking is a body of a compliant material comprising a modified open cell polyurethane foam,
• with the pad supported by the service station to selectively contact the printhead with the wicking surface to extract ink therefrom through capillary action between the printhead and the smooth wicking surface.

An inkjet printing mechanism, comprising:

• a chassis;
• a carriage that transports an inkjet printhead across a print zone and a printhead servicing region;
• and
• a service station mounted to the chassis, the service station including a platform and a wicking pad having a smooth wicking surface of an ink non-retaining, capillary action inducing material comprising:
• (a) a matte surface of a mylar film,
• (b) an adhesive tape, or
• (c) a skinned material overlaying the wicking pad, when the wicking is a body of a compliant material comprising a modified open cell polyurethane foam,
• with the pad supported by the service station to selectively contact the printhead with the wicking surface to extract ink therefrom through capillary action between the printhead and the smooth wicking surface.