Method of maintaining printhead with cleaned pad

1. A method of maintaining a printhead in an operable condition, the method comprising moving a pad between a first position in which the pad is sealingly engaged with the printhead, a second position in which the pad is disengaged from the printhead and a third position in which the pad is engaged with a pad cleaner,

wherein the movement from the first position to the second position causes the pad to be progressively peeled away from a surface of the printhead with which the pad is sealingly engaged, and the pad is biased towards the second position relative to the third position.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the printhead is a pagewidth printhead.

3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the pad is substantially coextensive with the pagewidth printhead.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pad is comprised of silicone or polyurethane.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pad is moved linearly between the first and second positions, said linear movement being substantially perpendicular with respect to the printhead.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pad is biased towards the first position relative to the second position.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pad is rotated between the second and third positions.

8. A method according to claim 7 , wherein said rotation is caused by abutment of a cradle on which the pad is mounted with a cam surface.

9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pad cleaner is positioned remotely from the printhead.

10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pad cleaner comprises a squeegee or an absorbent pad.

11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the printhead is an inkjet printhead.

12. A method according to claim 11 , wherein the pad cleaner is positioned for removing ink deposited on the pad by the inkjet printhead.