Head cleaner for linear tape drive that also functions as a head protector during cleaning tape operations
 This invention is a tape drive which includes a transducer head, a tape carrier, and a tape displacement structure. The tape carrier is provided in association with the transducer head, and is configured to support and move a tape along a tape travel path within the tape drive. The tape carrier moves the tape in contact with the transducer head along the tape travel path during at least one of a read operation and a write operation. The tape displacement structure is provided in association with the transducer head, and is configured to engage and bias a received tape from the tape travel path to a retracted tape travel path. The retracted tape travel path is spaced apart from the transducer head. The tape carrier is operative to move the retracted tape across the tape displacement structure, spaced apart from the transducer head. The tape carrier prevents at least one of transducer wear and transducer contamination caused by contact of the tape moving against the transducer head. A method is also provided. 
Hewlett-Packard Co.
G G G G G G G
G11B G11B G11B G11B G11B G11B G11B
inventional inventional inventional additional inventional inventional additional
James C. Darrel R.
Anderson Bloomquist