Patent ID: 7753482
Filing Date: 2010-07-13
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A pattern forming method for forming a pattern on a substrate by relatively moving a plurality of nozzle groups and the substrate in a main-scanning direction a plurality of times, each of the plurality of nozzle groups including a plurality of nozzles arranged in a first direction, the method comprising: (i) relatively moving each of the nozzle groups and the substrate in a sub-scanning direction such that a rear end of a former nozzle group overlaps a front end of a latter nozzle group when viewed from the main-scanning direction after every relative movement between the nozzle group and the substrate in the main-scanning direction; (ii) selecting a plurality of former nozzles among the nozzles of the former group that overlap those of the latter group to allow the selected former nozzles to discharge liquid droplets upon the relative movement between the former nozzle group and the substrate in the main-scanning direction; (iii) selecting a plurality of latter nozzles positioned between the selected former nozzles among the nozzles of the latter group that overlap those of the former group to allow the selected latter nozzles to discharge liquid droplets upon the relative movement between the latter nozzle group and the substrate in the main-scanning direction; and (iv) discharging droplets to the substrate to form the pattern on the substrate, the pattern including an overlapped area, the overlapped area including a first portion and a second portion that are adjacent to each other, the first portion formed from a plurality of first lines and a plurality of second lines, the second portion formed from a plurality of third lines and a plurality of fourth lines, the first, second, third, and fourth lines each extending in the main-scanning direction, the first lines formed by discharging droplets from each of the selected former nozzles and the selected latter nozzles, the second lines formed entirely by the selected former nozzles, the third lines formed by discharging droplets from each of the selected former nozzles and the selected latter nozzles, the fourth lines formed entirely by the selected latter nozzles, the first and second lines alternating across the entire first portion of the overlapped area, the third and fourth lines alternating across the entire second portion of the overlapped area.