An inkjet mechanism, and a service station and servicing method for an inkjet printhead of the inkjet printing mechanism

A liquid capping system (100; 160) for sealing the ink-ejecting nozzles (180) of an inkjet printhead (54, 56) during periods of printing inactivity uses a vicious, inkjet ink compatible, sealing liquid (158) that is applied to the printhead surface to seal the nozzles (180) and prevent the ink in the printhead (54, 56) and has a service station (101) that stores the sealing liquid (158). To selectively apply the sealing liquid (158) to the printhead (54, 56), the service station (101) has an applicator mechanism (150) including a dispenser member (154) and a sealing wiper (130, 132; 165) that transfers the sealing liquid (158) from the dispenser member (154) to the printhead (54, 56). The sealing wiper (130, 132; 165) may also clean the printhead face or be dedicated to only sealing the printhead (54, 56). A method is provided for sealing an inkjet printhead (54, 56) using a liquid capping system (100, 160), including the steps of spitting the printhead to clear the sealing liquid (158) from the nozzles (180) before returning to printing.