Liquid ejecting head, method of cleaning the ejecting head, and liquid ejecting device

A method for cleaning a liquid discharge head having a liquid discharge surface with rows of liquid discharge holes for discharging liquid droplets, the method comprising the steps of:

• moving a cleaner formed of a cylindrical elastic material on a liquid discharge surface relative to the liquid discharge surface while the cleaner is touching the liquid discharge surface;
• and
• absorbing liquid inside the liquid discharge holes by a change in pressure inside the liquid discharge holes caused by the cleaner moving while touching the liquid discharge surface.

A liquid discharge apparatus for discharging liquid droplets from rows of liquid discharge holes formed on a liquid discharge surface, comprising;

• a liquid discharge head equipped with a cleaner formed of a cylindrical elastic material and moving means for moving the cleaner relative to the liquid discharge surface while the cleaner is touching the liquid discharge surface wherein the cleaner has a peripheral surface for absorbing liquid inside the liquid discharge holes by a change in pressure inside the liquid discharge holes caused by the cleaner moving while touching the liquid discharge surface;
• and
• a head removal mechanism for fixing the liquid discharge head on a predetermined portion of the apparatus and for releasing the head from the main body of the apparatus.