Device for cleaning an ink jet print head

An ink jet print head assembly in a postage meter and/or addressing machine, comprising:

• a guide plate formed with an opening;
• an ink jet print head disposed in a postage meter and/or addressing machine behind said guide plate, said ink jet print head having a housing and a front face, and being pivotally mounted between a printing position and a cleaning position, said ink jet print head protruding into said opening when pivoted to said printing position;
• a cleaning and sealing device disposed behind the guide plate and mounted to be linearly adjustable toward and away from said ink jet print head;
• said cleaning and sealing device including a sealing cap adapted to a front face of said ink jet print head, a transversely adjustable wiper lip, and a vacuuming device;
• said sealing cap having a suction region defined on one end thereof for cleaning said wiper lip, said suction region communicating with said vacuuming device;
• and
• said housing of said ink jet print head having a compartment formed therein and a replaceable ink absorbent filling disposed in said compartment, said compartment communicating with said suction region for said wiper lip when said ink jet print head is in said cleaning position.