Inkjet head cleaning apparatus, image recording apparatus and inkjet head cleaning method

An image recording apparatus, comprising:

• an inkjet head which has a liquid ejection surface oblique to a horizontal plane;
• and
• an inkjet head cleaning unit which applies cleaning liquid to the liquid ejection surface of the inkjet head,
• wherein the head cleaning unit includes:
• a cleaning liquid holding device having a cleaning liquid holding surface with which cleaning liquid is held and applied to the liquid ejection surface of the inkjet head in which the liquid ejection surface is oblique to the horizontal plane, the cleaning liquid holding surface being arranged with an inclination such that the cleaning liquid holding surface is substantially parallel with the liquid ejection surface of the inkjet head and faces the liquid ejection surface at a prescribed distance from the liquid ejection surface;
• and
• a cleaning liquid supply device which has a cleaning liquid supply port through which the cleaning liquid is supplied from an upper portion of the inclined cleaning liquid holding surface in such a manner that the cleaning liquid slides down the inclined cleaning liquid holding surface while forming a meniscus between the cleaning liquid holding surface and the liquid ejection surface.