Patent ID: 8746863

Claim:
A printhead comprising: a jetting module including a linear array of nozzles extending in a direction along a length of the jetting module, the linear array of nozzles having a pitch, the jetting module being configured to form liquid drops travelling along a first path from a plurality of liquid jets emitted from the nozzles; a deflection mechanism configured to cause selected liquid drops formed by the jetting module to deviate from the first path and begin travelling along a second path; and a catcher positioned to intercept liquid drops travelling along one of the first path and the second path, the catcher including a drop contact surface and a liquid removal conduit connected in fluid communication with each other by a catcher surface including a radial surface having an array of grooves, the array of grooves extending in the same direction as that of the linear array of nozzles, the array of grooves having a pitch, the pitch of the grooves being greater than the pitch of the linear array of nozzles.