Patent ID: 6038111
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A cleaning cartridge for cleaning a reciprocating read/write head of a tape drive, the cleaning cartridge having a housing and a supply of cleaning tape positioned to engage the read/write head during use, the cleaning tape having a pair of opposed edges, a side that contacts the head during use, and an opposite side, the improvement comprising:a first, stationary cleaning element attached to the housing on the opposite side of the tape from that which contacts the head and disposed so as to contact the read/write head during a cleaning operation, said first stationary cleaning element positioned adjacent one edge of the cleaning tape in immediate proximity to the location where the cleaning tape will engage the read/write head; anda second, stationary cleaning element attached to the housing on the opposite side of the tape from that which contacts the head and disposed so as to contact the read/write head during said cleaning operation, said second stationary cleaning element positioned adjacent the opposite edge of the cleaning tape in substantial alignment with the first cleaning element, and with the cleaning tape and cleaning elements being constructed and arranged so that the cleaning tape will be positioned substantially between the first and second cleaning elements during a cleaning operation;whereby the read/write head is cleaned by said first and said second cleaning elements and the cleaning tape.