Integrated cleaning and leader tape

摘要

Magnetic tape (13) on a supply reel (11) is provided with a trailing end leader (27) which has an abrasive cleaning characteristic. In order to effectively use the leader with the cleaning characteristic, the tape is fully unreeled to expose the abrasive leader (27) only when a requirement to clean the tape head transducers is sensed. During normal operation, the trailing leader (25) which includes the cleaning leader (27) is not exposed to the tape transducer head, but instead remains on the supply reel (11).