In an inkjet printing machine, an ink reclamation device receives ink emitted from at least one printhead in a purge cycle. The ink reclamation device includes a liquid path member in the form of a thin compliant or flexible sheet configured to contact the face of the printhead proximate to the inkjets to receive purged ink within a trough formed by the sheet. The liquid path member includes a plurality of slots defined in the sheet, the slots having a width sized to promote meniscus formation of liquid ink within the trough. The meniscus hardens to plug the slots so that the trough fills during the inkjet purge. The ink reclamation apparatus may be heated to melt the ink within the trough to return the ink to an ink reservoir in the printhead.