A technique for sealing a printhead of an ink jet printer system on startup,
opening
the seal to print, and opening further on an arbitrary path for service, is provided
for by the present invention. The ink jet printhead has an ink drop generator,
a catcher located adjacent to the ink drop generator, and a catcher pan located
below the catcher. An eyelid seals ink within the printhead on startup of the printer
system. An actuator mechanism transmits movement to the eyelid along a predetermined
path, having multiple positions for the eyelid. The eyelid is moved between open
and closed positions by means of a dc motor. The open position is defined by the
actuator means contacting a print position stop. Shifting the position of the print
position stop allows the eyelid to open to a service position.
