Patent ID: 7367648

Claim:
A printhead maintenance assembly for maintaining a printhead in an operable condition, said maintenance assembly comprising: (i) a printhead assembly comprising: a printhead having an ink ejection face, said face having a first edge portion and a second edge portion opposite said first edge portion; and a film guide sealingly bonded to said first edge portion, said film guide being positioned to guide a film through a transfer zone, said transfer zone being defined by a plane spaced apart from said face; and (ii) an ink transport assembly comprising: a film for transporting ink away from said printhead; and a transport mechanism for feeding said film through said transfer zone and away from said printhead, said transport mechanism feeding said film in a directional sense which is from said first edge portion to said second edge portion; wherein, in use, said film contacts with said film guide thereby forming a cavity defined at least partially by said film, said film guide and said face.