Cleaning device for writing heads used in ink jet recorders and printers

In an ink jet printer having a plurality of ink jet writing heads each of said heads having a plurality of nozzles through which ink flows, an apparatus for cleaning each of said writing heads comprising:

• rotatably mounted supply and take-up reels;
• a movable absorbent cleaning belt extending from the supply reel to the take-up reel, said belt having spaced thereon and positioned to contact each of said writing heads, a plurality of rows of embossed elements and openings positioned in sequence along each of the rows for being brought into contact with the bottom portion of said writing heads;
• and
• sensing means for sensing the positioning of openings in said belt over said nozzles and thereby controlling movement of said belt to permit said embossed elements in each of said rows to be drawn across said nozzles to clean ink and impurities therefrom until the next series of openings along the belt is positioned over said nozzles whereby the sensing means causes the belt to cease movement and permit said ink jet writing heads to print through said openings.