Patent Publication Number: US-6981761-B2

Title: Droplet discharge device and liquid filling method therefor, and device manufacturing apparatus, device manufacturing method and device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates to a droplet discharge device and a liquid filling method, and a device manufacturing apparatus, a device manufacturing method and a device. For example the invention relates to a droplet discharge device used when manufacturing a color filter applicable to a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and a method of filling drawing liquid into a droplet discharge head in the droplet discharge device, and to a device manufacturing apparatus furnished with the droplet discharge device, a device manufacturing method, and a device. 
   BACKGROUND ART 
   With the development of electronic equipment such as for computers and portable information-processing equipment terminals, the use of liquid crystal display devices, in particular color liquid crystal display devices is increasing. This type of liquid crystal display device uses a color filter in order to color the display image. The color filter has a substrate, and is formed by impacting liquid of R (red), G (green), B (blue) in a predetermined pattern onto the substrate. As such a method of impacting liquid such as ink onto the substrate, a droplet discharge method (ink jet method) is adopted. 
   In the case where a droplet discharge method is adopted, a predetermined amount of drawing (film producing) liquid is discharged (ejected) from a droplet discharge head and impacted on the film. However this substrate, as disclosed for example in the following patent literature  1 , is mounted onto an XY stage (a stage which can move freely in two dimensions along an XY plane). By moving the substrate in the X-direction and the Y-direction by means of this XY stage, liquid from a plurality of droplet discharge heads can be impacted on predetermined positions on the substrate. 
   Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application First Publication No. Hei 8-271724A (FIG. 5) 
   However, in the abovementioned background art, there are the following problems. 
   Regarding the liquid discharged from the droplet discharge head, liquid stored in a liquid tank is supplied to the droplet discharge head via a tube or the like to fill the head. However at the time of initial operation, or for example after being suspended for around one day, since the liquid is not filled into the head, it is necessary to introduce the liquid to as far as the droplet discharge head. 
   Therefore, heretofore, a method is often adopted which involves connecting a negative pressure suction mechanism such as a pump or tube constituting a suction drive source to a cap which covers the liquid discharge face of the droplet discharge head to prevent drying, and applying a negative pressure suction under conditions with the cap abutted against the droplet discharge head, to thereby introduce and fill a liquid from the liquid tank via the tube to the droplet discharge head. 
   In the case of a liquid of a relatively low viscosity used for a printer or the like, when the liquid is filled into the droplet discharge head, in most cases bubbles existing inside the droplet discharge head can be exhausted. However in the case where a liquid of a high viscosity is filled into the droplet discharge head, the bubbles cannot be completely discharged. If bubbles remain inside the head, a problem arises in that the liquid is not discharged, and even if discharged the speed and weight fluctuates, so that the discharge characteristics for the liquid are not stable. In particular, recently, there is a movement to widely adopt the droplet discharge device, not only for printers, but also for industrial use. Therefore, it has become highly desirable to develop a technique for filling a head so that even with a liquid of a high viscosity there are no residual bubbles. 
   Moreover, in the case where a high viscosity liquid is used in a droplet discharge head, in addition to the above mentioned problem of initial filling, there is a problem in that the nozzle apertures clog due to a thickening of the liquid during pausing of the discharge head. 
   DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
   The present invention takes into consideration the above mentioned problems, with the object of providing a droplet discharge device and a liquid filling method therefor, which can maintain predetermined liquid discharge characteristics even in the case where a film production liquid of a high viscosity is used, and a device manufacturing apparatus, a device manufacturing method and a device manufactured by this device manufacturing apparatus. 
   In order to achieve the abovementioned objects, the present invention adopts the following construction. 
   The droplet discharge device of the present invention is a droplet discharge device which discharges liquid filled into a droplet discharge head, and has a filling apparatus which switches between a first liquid and a second liquid of a lower viscosity than the first liquid, and fills the droplet discharge head. 
   As a result, in the droplet discharge device of the present invention, by first filling a low viscosity filling liquid into the droplet discharge head, bubbles inside the droplet discharge head can be discharged. Consequently, by substituting the filling liquid for the liquid, the liquid can be filled into the droplet discharge head in a condition where bubbles have been discharged. Therefore, even if the liquid is of a high viscosity, predetermined liquid discharge characteristics can be maintained without the occurrence of poor discharge of the liquid attributable to the presence of bubbles. 
   The filling apparatus may comprise: a liquid storage section for storing liquid for supply to the droplet discharge head, having a first storage section for storing the first liquid and a second storage section for storing the second liquid, a liquid supply path section which connects the droplet discharge head and the liquid storage section to form a liquid supply path to the droplet discharge head, with a tip side communicated with the droplet discharge head and a base side branched into a first branch path communicated with the first storage section, and a second branch path communicated with the second storage section, and a switching device which switches between supply of the first liquid from the first storage section and supply of the second liquid from the second storage section. 
   Preferably the first liquid and the second liquid are liquids of mutually different colors, and the liquid supply path section is formed with a transparent material at at least a portion of a branch point where the first branch path and the second branch path are joined. Furthermore, preferably this further has an optical sensor which detects liquid inside the liquid supply path section via the transparent portion of the branch point of the liquid supply path section. 
   Moreover, preferably the switching device has a first valve provided in the first branch path and a second valve provided in the second branch path. 
   Furthermore, preferably the first branch path is shorter than the second branch path. 
   Moreover, preferably the first branch path is thicker than the second branch path. 
   Furthermore, preferably the first liquid and the second liquid are liquids for which phase separation does not occur therebetween. 
   Moreover, preferably the second liquid is a solvent of the first liquid. 
   Furthermore, preferably the second liquid has a high wettability with respect to the material constituting the liquid flow path of the droplet discharge head. 
   Moreover, preferably the second liquid also serves as a cleaning solution used in cleaning of the droplet discharge head. 
   Furthermore, preferably the second liquid is a heated first liquid. 
   As a result, in the present invention, since the viscosity of the liquid is reduced by heating, then by filling the low viscosity liquid into the droplet discharge head, bubbles inside the droplet discharge head can be discharged. Then, after the bubbles have been discharged, the unheated liquid, that is the liquid of a temperature appropriate for the drawing process replaces the liquid serving as the filling liquid, thereby enabling the drawing liquid to be filled into the droplet discharge head in a condition where the bubbles have been discharged. Therefore even when the liquid is of a high viscosity, predetermined liquid discharge characteristics can be maintained without the occurrence of poor discharge of the liquid attributable to the presence of bubbles. Furthermore, even in the case where the heated liquid and the unheated liquid are not sufficiently substituted, since the constituents of the liquids are the same, an adverse affect on the drawing characteristics of the liquid can be prevented. Moreover precipitation of solids due to so called solvent shock can be prevented. 
   Furthermore, preferably the viscosity of the first liquid is from 10 mPa·s to 50 mPa·s. 
   Moreover, preferably the viscosity of the second liquid is less than 4 mPa·s. 
   Furthermore, preferably the liquid storage section has a third storage section for storing a third liquid of a lower viscosity than the first liquid and a higher viscosity than the second liquid, and the liquid supply path section has a third branch path with a tip side communicating with the droplet discharge head, and a base side communicating with the third storage section, and the switching device switches between supply of the first liquid from the first storage section, supply of the second liquid from the second storage section, and supply of the third liquid from the third storage section. 
   Moreover, preferably the switching device has a first valve provided in the first branch path, a second valve provided in the second branch path, and a third valve provided in the third branch path. 
   Furthermore, preferably the second liquid is a solvent of the third liquid, and the third liquid is a solvent of the first liquid. 
   Moreover, the present invention may adopt a configuration comprising a pressure device which pressurizes the liquid supplied to the droplet discharge head to fill the droplet discharge head. 
   Furthermore, a pressurizing condition for the liquid is preferably set based on the viscosity of the liquid to be supplied to the droplet discharge head. 
   Moreover, the present invention may adopt a configuration comprising a suction device which fills the liquid supplied to the droplet discharge head into the droplet discharge head by means of a negative pressure suction. 
   As a result, in the droplet discharge device of the present invention, since this sucks close to the droplet discharge head, then compared to for example the case of pressuring the liquid tank, pressure losses are minimal, and the liquid can be filled effectively. Moreover, by sucking on the droplet discharge head, solids and dirt adhered to the droplet discharge head can be easily removed. 
   Furthermore, preferably the suction device comprises a cap member which is pressed onto a nozzle forming face of the droplet discharge head to form a closed space with the nozzle forming face, and a suction pump which creates a negative pressure in the closed space. 
   Moreover, preferably at least a part of the cap member in contact with the liquid is liquid resistant. 
   Furthermore, preferably the droplet discharge device further has a temperature sensor which measures the ambient temperature of the droplet discharge device, and a suction amount of the suction pump is controlled in accordance with the ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor. 
   Moreover, preferably suction conditions for the liquid are set based on the viscosity of the liquid to be supplied to the droplet discharge head. 
   Furthermore, preferably there is further provided a laser device which detects droplets discharged from a nozzle opening formed in the droplet discharge head. 
   Moreover, the droplet discharge device of the present invention may adopt a configuration which has a de-gassifier which de-gasses the liquid supplied to the droplet discharge head before filling into the droplet discharge head. 
   As a result, in the droplet discharge device of the present invention, the situation where bubbles are not present immediately after filling a liquid into the droplet discharge head, but with the elapse of time bubbles are generated from the liquid, can be prevented. Furthermore, even if by chance, some bubbles remain inside the droplet discharge head, the liquid absorbs these bubbles. Therefore an adverse effect on the discharge characteristics of the liquid can be prevented. 
   Moreover, in the droplet discharge device of the present invention, preferably the construction has a control device which controls the filling apparatus so that after the discharge process of the first liquid, the first liquid which has been filled into the droplet discharge head is again replaced by the second liquid. 
   As a result, in the droplet discharge device of the present invention, by keeping the droplet discharge head in a condition of being filled by the second liquid after the discharge process, then a rapid drying liquid can also be used. 
   Furthermore, the device manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is a device manufacturing apparatus having a droplet discharge device which impacts liquid discharged from a droplet discharge head onto a substrate to perform a film production process on the substrate, wherein the above mentioned droplet discharge device is used as the droplet discharge device. 
   As a result, since the device manufacturing apparatus of the present invention can discharge a liquid in a condition where predetermined liquid discharge characteristics are maintained, then by executing a predetermined film production process, device characteristics (quality) can be ensured. 
   Moreover, the present invention may adopt a configuration wherein a plurality of liquids of different types are respectively used as the first liquid, and each liquid is discharged to respectively produce a film on the substrate. 
   In this case, a plurality of types of liquid of a high viscosity can be produced in a film on the substrate with a single apparatus, and hence production efficiency can be improved. 
   Furthermore, the device of the present invention is manufactured by the above mentioned device manufacturing apparatus. 
   As a result, in the device of the present invention, a predetermined quality can be ensured by executing the film production process with predetermined liquid discharge characteristics. 
   On the other hand, a liquid filling method for a droplet discharge device of the present invention, is a method for filling a first liquid into a droplet discharge head of a droplet discharge device which discharges a liquid filled into the droplet discharge head, and comprises the steps of: filling a second liquid of a lower viscosity than the first liquid into the droplet discharge head; and replacing the second liquid which has been filled into the droplet discharge head with the first liquid. 
   As a result, in the liquid filling method for the droplet discharge device of the present invention, by first filling the second liquid of a low viscosity into the droplet discharge head, bubbles inside the droplet discharge head can be discharged. Accordingly, by replacing the second liquid with the first liquid, the first liquid can be filled into the droplet discharge head in a condition where the bubbles have been discharged. Therefore even if the first liquid is of a high viscosity, poor discharge of the first liquid attributable to the presence of bubbles does not occur, and predetermined liquid discharge conditions can be maintained. 
   The present invention may also adopt a procedure which includes a step for again replacing the first liquid which has been filled into the droplet discharge head and filling with the second liquid after a discharge process for the first liquid. 
   As a result, the present invention can also use a rapid drying liquid, by keeping the droplet discharge head in a condition filled with the second liquid after a film production process. 
   Moreover, preferably the droplet discharge device comprises: a liquid storage section for storing liquid for supply to the droplet discharge head, having a first storage section for storing the first liquid and a second storage section for storing the second liquid, and a liquid supply path section which connects the droplet discharge head and the liquid storage section to form a liquid supply path to the droplet discharge head, with a tip side communicated with the droplet discharge head and a base side branched into a first branch path communicated with the first storage section, and a second branch path communicated with the second storage section, and in a condition where liquid is not filled to inside of the droplet discharge head, the first liquid is supplied from the first storage section and the first liquid is filled to inside the liquid supply path portion up until a branch point where the first branch path and the second branch path are joined, and supply of the first liquid from the first storage section is stopped, and the second liquid is supplied from the second storage section to fill the second liquid to inside the liquid discharge head, and supply of the second liquid from the second storage section is stopped, and the first liquid is supplied from the first storage section, and while discharging the second liquid filled to inside the droplet discharge head and the liquid supply path, from a nozzle opening formed in the droplet discharge head, the first liquid is introduced to the droplet discharge head, and the second liquid inside the droplet discharge head is replaced by the first liquid, and the first liquid is filled to inside the droplet discharge head. 
   Furthermore, preferably the first liquid and the second liquid are liquids of mutually different colors, and the liquid supply path section is formed with a transparent material at at least a portion of the branch point where the first branch path and the second branch path are joined, and there is further provided an optical sensor which detects liquid inside the liquid supply path section via the transparent portion of the branch point of the liquid supply path section, and when the first liquid is filled to inside the liquid supply path section up to the branch point, if detected by the sensor that the liquid has reached to the branch point, supply of the first liquid from the first storage section is stopped. 
   Moreover, the liquid storage section has a third storage section for storing a third liquid of a lower viscosity than the first liquid and a higher viscosity than the second liquid, and the liquid supply path section has a third branch path with a tip side communicating with the droplet discharge head, and a base side communicating with the third storage section, and in a condition where liquid is not filled to inside the droplet discharge head, the first liquid is supplied from the first storage section, and if the first liquid reaches to the branch point where the first branch path, the second branch path and the third branch path are joined, supply of the first liquid from the first storage section is stopped, while on the other hand, if the third liquid is supplied from the third storage section and the third liquid reaches to the branch point, supply of the third liquid from the third storage section is stopped, and the second liquid is supplied from the second storage section via the liquid supply path section to the droplet discharge head, and the second liquid fills to inside of the droplet discharge head, and supply of the second liquid from the second storage section is stopped and the third liquid is supplied from the third storage section, and while discharging the second liquid filled to inside the droplet discharge head and the liquid supply path section, from the nozzle opening of the droplet discharge head, the third liquid is introduced to the droplet discharge head, and the second liquid inside the droplet discharge head is replaced by the third liquid, and the third liquid is filled to inside the droplet discharge head, and supply of the third liquid from the third storage section is stopped and the first liquid is supplied from the first storage section, and while discharging the third liquid filled to inside the droplet discharge head and the liquid supply path section, from the nozzle opening of the droplet discharge head, the first liquid is introduced to the droplet discharge head, and the third liquid inside the droplet discharge head is replaced by the first liquid, and the first liquid is filled to inside the droplet discharge head. 
   Furthermore, the present invention may adopt a procedure where supply of liquid from the liquid storage section is performed by pressurizing the liquid. 
   In this case, preferably the pressurizing conditions for the liquid are set based on the viscosity of the liquid to be supplied to the droplet discharge head. 
   Moreover, the present invention may adopt a procedure where supply of the liquid from the liquid storage section is performed by making a closed space formed by pressing a cap member against a nozzle forming face of the droplet discharge head, a negative pressure. 
   Furthermore, preferably a negative pressure suction condition for the liquid is set based on the viscosity of the liquid to be supplied to the droplet discharge head. 
   Moreover, preferably the droplet discharge device comprises: a liquid storage section for storing a liquid for supply to the droplet discharge head, having a first storage section for storing the first liquid, and a second storage section for storing the second liquid, and a liquid supply path section which connects the droplet discharge head and the liquid storage section to form a liquid supply path to the droplet discharge head, with a tip side communicated with the droplet discharge head and a base side branched into a first branch path communicated with the first storage section, and a second branch path communicated with the second storage section, and after performing a predetermined operation of discharging the first liquid from the droplet discharge head, supply of the first liquid from the first storage section to the droplet discharge head is stopped, and the second liquid is supplied from the second storage section, and while discharging the first liquid filled to inside the droplet discharge head and the liquid supply path portion, from a nozzle opening formed in the droplet discharge head, the second liquid is introduced to the droplet discharge head, and the first liquid inside the droplet discharge head is replaced by the second liquid, and the second liquid is filled to inside the droplet discharge head. 
   Moreover, the present invention preferably has a step for de-gassing the liquid supplied to the droplet discharge head before filling into the droplet discharge head. 
   As a result, in the present invention, the situation where bubbles are not present immediately after filling a liquid into the droplet discharge head, but with the elapse of time bubbles are generated from the liquid, can be prevented. Furthermore, even if by chance, some bubbles remain inside the droplet discharge head, the liquid absorbs these bubbles. Therefore an adverse effect on the discharge characteristics of the liquid can be prevented. 
   Furthermore, preferably the first liquid and the second liquid are liquids for which phase separation does not occur therebetween. 
   Moreover, preferably the second liquid is a solvent of the first liquid. For example, by filling a low viscosity solvent component into the droplet discharge head as the second liquid, bubbles inside the droplet discharge head can be discharged. Then, after discharging the bubbles, by substituting the first liquid for the solvent component serving as the second liquid, the film production liquid can be filled into the droplet discharge head in a condition where the bubbles have been discharged. Therefore, even if the first liquid is of a high viscosity, predetermined liquid discharge characteristics can be maintained without the occurrence of poor discharge of the first liquid attributable to the presence of bubbles. Furthermore, even in the case where the solvent component and the first liquid are not sufficiently substituted, since the solvent component constitutes a part of the first liquid, an adverse affect on the film producing characteristics of the first liquid can be prevented. Moreover precipitation of solids due to so called solvent shock can be prevented. Furthermore, even in the case where solid constituents of the first liquid remain inside the droplet discharge head, these solid constituents can be dissolved by the second liquid. 
   Preferably, the construction is such that the second liquid is a heated h first liquid. In this case, since the viscosity of the liquid is reduced by heating, then by filling the low viscosity second liquid into the droplet discharge head, bubbles inside the droplet discharge head can be discharged. Then, after the bubbles have been discharged, the unheated liquid, that is the first liquid of a temperature appropriate for the film production replaces the second liquid, thereby enabling the film production liquid to be filled into the droplet discharge head in a condition where the bubbles have been discharged. Therefore even when the first liquid is of a high viscosity, predetermined liquid discharge characteristics can be maintained without the occurrence of poor discharge of the liquid attributable to the presence of bubbles. Furthermore, even in the case where the heated liquid and the unheated liquid are not sufficiently substituted, since the constituents of the liquids are the same, an adverse affect on the drawing characteristics of the liquid can be prevented. Moreover precipitation of solids due to so called solvent shock can be prevented. 
   Furthermore, preferably the viscosity of the first liquid is from 10 mPa·s to 50 mPa·s. 
   Moreover, preferably the viscosity of the second liquid is less than 4 mPa·s. 
   Furthermore, the device manufacturing method of the present invention is a method of manufacturing a device using a droplet discharge device having a droplet discharge head which discharges a liquid, and comprises a step for filling the liquid into the droplet discharge head using the above liquid filling method. 
   As a result, since by using the device manufacturing method of the present invention, liquid can be discharged in a condition where predetermined liquid discharge characteristics are maintained, device characteristics (quality) can be ensured by executing a predetermined drawing process. 
   It is also possible to adopt a procedure where a plurality of liquids of different types are respectively used as the first liquid, and each liquid is discharged to respectively produce a film on the substrate. 
   In this case, a plurality of types of liquid of a high viscosity can be produced in a film on the substrate with a single apparatus, and hence production efficiency can be improved. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a view showing a first embodiment of the present invention, being a schematic diagram of a droplet discharge device. 
       FIG. 2  shows a condition where, in the droplet discharge device shown in  FIG. 1 , a nozzle forming face of a head section is blocked by a cap member. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-section showing a detailed construction of the head section of the droplet discharge device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIGS. 4A to 4F  are diagrams for sequentially explaining a method of filling a liquid into the head section in the droplet discharge device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a second embodiment of the present invention, being a schematic diagram of a droplet discharge device having an optical sensor. 
       FIG. 6  shows a condition where, in the droplet discharge device shown in  FIG. 5 , a nozzle forming face of a head section is blocked by a cap member. 
       FIG. 7  shows a third embodiment of the present invention, being a schematic diagram of a droplet discharge device having an intermediate viscosity liquid storage section. 
       FIG. 8  shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, being a schematic plan view of a filter manufacturing apparatus. 
       FIG. 9  is a plan view of a support plate for supporting a droplet discharge head. 
       FIG. 10  is a right side view of  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic plan view of a liquid system constituting a film production apparatus. 
       FIG. 12  is a front view of  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic front view of a cap unit constituting the liquid system. 
       FIG. 14  is a plan view of a support plate for supporting the cap. 
       FIG. 15  is a schematic block diagram of a liquid unit. 
       FIGS. 16A to 16F  are diagrams showing examples of manufacturing a color filter using a substrate. 
       FIG. 17  shows a substrate and a part of a color filter region on the substrate. 
       FIG. 18  is a cross-section of a liquid crystal panel which incorporates a color filter manufactured using the present invention. 
       FIGS. 19A to 19I  are diagram showing examples of manufacturing a color filter. 
       FIG. 20  is a cross-section showing a detailed construction of another example of a head section of the droplet discharge device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 21  is a schematic block diagram of a droplet discharge device having a pressure device. 
       FIG. 22  is a cross-section of an organic EL device to which the manufacturing method of the present invention is applicable. 
       FIGS. 23A to 23C  show examples of electronic equipment incorporating a display device,  FIG. 23A  being a perspective view of a portable telephone,  FIG. 23B  being a perspective view of a portable information processor, and  FIG. 23C  being a perspective view of a wrist watch type electronic device. 
   

   BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
   Hereunder is a description of a first embodiment of a droplet discharge device and a liquid filling method therefor, and a device manufacturing apparatus, a device manufacturing method and a device according to the present invention, with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4F . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the droplet discharge device (liquid injection device) according to the embodiment has a head section (droplet discharge head)  201  formed with a plurality of nozzle openings which discharge (inject) droplets. The head section  201  has a plurality of pressure generating elements which pressurize liquid inside a plurality of pressure chambers formed on the inside, to eject droplets from the plurality of nozzle openings. Detailed construction of the head section  201  will be described later. 
   The droplet discharge device further comprises a liquid storage section  202  which stores a liquid for supply to the head section  201 . The liquid storage section  202  has a high viscosity liquid storage section (first storage section  203 ) which stores a high viscosity liquid (first liquid) L 1 , and a low viscosity liquid storage section (second storage section)  204  which stores a low viscosity liquid (second liquid) L 2  of a lower viscosity than the high viscosity liquid L 1 . 
   The high viscosity liquid L 1  is a liquid which is used at the time of manufacturing for example a liquid crystal display using the droplet discharge device. On the other hand, the low viscosity liquid L 2  is an auxiliary liquid used for filling the high viscosity liquid L 1  into the head section  201  of the droplet discharge device. The viscosity of the high viscosity liquid L 1  is typically from 10 mPa·s to 50 mPa·s. The viscosity of the low viscosity liquid L 2  is typically not more than 4 mPa·s. 
   Between the head section  201  and the liquid storage section  202  is connected by a liquid supply pipe (liquid supply path section)  205  which forms a liquid supply path from the liquid storage section  202  to the head section  201 . The liquid supply pipe  205  has a tip end side thereof communicated with the head section  201  and a base side branched from a branch point M into a first branch path  205   a  and a second branch path  205   b , respectively communicated with the high viscosity liquid storage section  203  and the low viscosity liquid storage section  204 . 
   Preferably, the first branch path  205   a  is shorter than the second branch path  205   b , and the first branch path  205   a  is thicker than the second branch path  205   b . By making the flow resistance for the high viscosity liquid L 1  in the first branch path  205   a  smaller in this way, flow of the high viscosity liquid L 1  can be made smooth. 
   Moreover, the droplet discharge device comprises a switching device  206  which switches between supply of the high viscosity liquid L 1  from the high viscosity liquid storage section  203  and supply of the low viscosity liquid L 2  from the low viscosity liquid storage section  204 . The switching device  206  has a first valve  206   a  and second valve  206   b  respectively provided in the first branch path  205   a  and the second branch path  205   b . The liquid storage section  202 , the liquid supply pipe  205  and the switching device  206  constitute the filling apparatus according to the present invention. 
   Furthermore, the droplet discharge device has a suction device comprising a cap member  207  arranged at a position corresponding to a home position of the head section  201 , and a suction pump  208  connected to the cap member  207 . For the cap member  207  and the suction pump  208 , a device similar to the device provided in a conventional ink jet recording device for sealing the head when unused, or for head cleaning and so forth may be used. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cap member  207  is pressed against a nozzle forming face  201   a  of the head section  201  which has moved to the home position, so that a closed space S is formed with the nozzle forming face  201   a . Then, the closed space S is made a negative pressure by the suction pump  208  so that air and liquid inside the head section  201  can be sucked out from the nozzle openings of the head section  201 . 
   At least the portion of the cap member  207  in contact with the high viscosity liquid L 1  and the low viscosity liquid L 2  is liquid resistant. Therefore, the cap member  207  is not corroded by the high viscosity liquid L 1  and the low viscosity liquid L 2 . 
   Moreover, the cap member  207  also functions as a lid for preventing drying of the nozzle openings of the head section  201 , while the droplet discharge device is paused. Furthermore, this also functions as a liquid receiver at the time of a flushing operation which applies a drive signal for air discharge to the pressure generating element of the head section  201  to air discharge droplets. Moreover this also functions as a cleaning mechanism which cleans the head section  201  by applying a negative pressure from the suction pump  208  to the head section  201  to suck out the liquid. 
   Furthermore, the droplet discharge device further has a temperature sensor  209  for measuring the ambient temperature. A detection signal from the temperature sensor  209  is sent to a control unit  210 . Then, the control unit  210  controls the suction amount of the suction pump  208  corresponding to the ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor  209 . Since the viscosity of the high viscosity liquid L 1  and the low viscosity liquid L 2  changes with temperature, then by controlling the suction amount of the suction pump  208  corresponding to the ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor  209 , the high viscosity liquid L 1  and the low viscosity liquid L 2  can be sucked without excess or deficiency. 
   Moreover, the droplet discharge device further comprises a laser unit  211  which detects droplets ejected from the nozzle opening of the head section  201 . By detecting droplets ejected from the head section  201  with the laser unit  211 , it is possible to confirm that air inside the head section  201  has been completely exhausted and no bubbles remain. 
     FIG. 3  shows a detailed construction of the head section of the droplet discharge device shown in  FIG. 1 . This head section  201  is one which uses a flexural oscillation mode piezoelectric vibrator  225 . The head section  201  comprises an actuator unit  232  containing a plurality of pressure chambers  231  and a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators  225 , and a passage unit  234  formed with nozzle openings  213  and common liquid chambers  233 . Furthermore, the passage unit  234  is joined to the front side of the actuator unit  232 . 
   The pressure chambers  231  expand and contract with the deformation of the piezoelectric vibrators  225 , and the liquid pressure inside the pressure chambers  231  changes accompanying this. Then, due to the change in the liquid pressure inside the pressure chambers  231 , droplets are discharged from the nozzle openings  213 . For example, by suddenly contracting the pressure chambers  231 , the interior of the pressure chambers  231  is pressurized, and droplets are discharged from the nozzle openings  213 . 
   The actuator unit  232  includes; a pressure chamber forming substrate  235  on which is formed a space for forming the pressure chambers  231 , lid members  236  joined to the front face of the pressure chamber forming substrate  235 , a diaphragm  237  connected to the rear face of the pressure chamber forming substrate  235  and covering an open face of the space, and the piezoelectric vibrators  225 . In the lid members  236  is formed first liquid passages  238  for communicating between the common liquid chambers  233  and the pressure chambers  231 , and second liquid passages  239  for communicating between the pressure chambers  231  and the nozzle openings  213 . 
   The passage unit  234  comprises; a liquid chamber forming substrate  241  in which is formed cavities for forming the common liquid chambers  233 , a nozzle plate  242  pierced with a plurality of nozzle openings  213 , and joined to the front face of the liquid chamber forming substrate  241 , and a supply port forming plate  243  joined to a rear face of the liquid chamber forming substrate  241 . 
   In the liquid chamber forming substrate  241  is formed nozzle communication ports  244  which communicate with the nozzle openings  213 . Furthermore, in the supply port forming plate  243  is piercingly provided liquid supply ports  245  which communicate between the common liquid chambers  233  and the first liquid passages  238 , and communicating ports  246  which communicate between the nozzle communication ports  244  and the second liquid passages  239 . 
   Consequently, in the head section  201  is formed a set of liquid passages from the common liquid chambers  233  through the pressure chambers  231  to the nozzle openings  213 . 
   The piezoelectric vibrators  225  are formed on the opposite side of the pressure chambers  231  with the diaphragm  237  therebetween. The piezoelectric vibrators  225  are a flat plate shape, with lower electrodes  248  formed on the front faces of the piezoelectric vibrators  225 , and upper electrodes  249  formed on the rear faces so as to cover the piezoelectric vibrators  225 . 
   Furthermore, on opposite end portions of the actuator unit  232 , the base end portions are formed with joining terminals  250  for conducting to the upper electrodes  249  of the piezoelectric vibrators  225 . The tip end faces of the joining terminals  250  are formed higher than the piezoelectric vibrators  225 . Furthermore, a flexible circuit board  251  is joined to the tip end faces of the joining terminals  250 , and a drive pulse is supplied to the piezoelectric vibrators  225  via the joining terminals  250  and the upper electrodes  249 . 
   The pressure chambers  231 , the piezoelectric vibrators  225  and the joining terminals  250  are respectively shown as only two in the figure. However these are multiply provided corresponding to the nozzle openings  213 . 
   In the head section  201 , when a drive pulse is input, a voltage differential is produced between the upper electrode  249  and the lower electrode  248 . Due to this voltage differential, the piezoelectric vibrator  225  contracts in a direction orthogonal to the electric field. At this time, the lower electrode  248  side of the piezoelectric vibrator  225  joined to the diaphragm  237  does not contract, and only the upper electrode  249  side contracts. Therefore the piezoelectric vibrator  225  and the diaphragm  237  bend so as to protrude to the pressure chamber  231  side, and the volume of the pressure chamber  231  is contracted. 
   Then, in the case where a droplet is to be discharged from the nozzle opening  213 , for example the pressure chamber  231  is rapidly contracted. That is to say, when the pressure chamber  231  is rapidly contracted, an increase in liquid pressure is produced inside the pressure chamber  231 , and a droplet is discharged from the nozzle opening  213  following this pressure rise. Moreover, when after discharge of the droplet, the voltage differential between the upper electrode  249  and the lower electrode  248  disappears, the piezoelectric vibrator  225  and the diaphragm  237  return to their original positions. As a result, the interior of the contracted pressure chamber  231  expands, and liquid is supplied from the common liquid chamber  233  via the liquid supply port  245  to the pressure chamber  231 . 
   Next is a description of a method for filling liquid into the head section  201  in the droplet discharge device according to the present embodiment. 
     FIG. 4A  shows a condition before liquid is filled to inside the head section  201 . Moreover, this shows the condition before the cap member  207  is pressed against the nozzle forming face  201   a  of the head section  201 . The first valve  206   a  and the second valve  206   b  are both in the closed condition, and the high viscosity liquid L 1  and the low viscosity liquid L 2  are respectively filled to inside of the first branch path  205   a  and the second branch path  205   b  up to before the first valve  206   a  and the second valve  206   b.    
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 4B , the cap member  207  is pressed against the nozzle forming face  201   a  of the head section  201 . In this condition, the closed space S is made a negative pressure by the suction pump  208 , and as shown in  FIG. 4C , the first valve  206   a  is opened, and the interior of the first branch path  205   a  past the first valve  206   a  is filled with the high viscosity liquid L 1 . Then, at the point in time when the high viscosity liquid L 1  reaches the position of the branch point M, the first valve  206   a  is closed. 
   As a means for confirming the time when the high viscosity liquid LI has reached the junction point M, there is a visual confirmation means which involves constructing the liquid supply pipe  205  from transparent piping. 
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 4D , the second valve  206   b  is opened, with the first valve  206   a  remaining in the closed condition, so that the whole of the liquid supply pipe  205  excluding the first branch path  205   a  is filled with the low viscosity liquid L 2 . Furthermore, the interior of the liquid supply path of the head section  201  is also filled with the low viscosity liquid L 2 . 
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 4E , the second valve  206   b  is closed and the first valve  206   a  is opened, and while the low viscosity liquid L 2  is being discharged from the nozzle opening of the head section  201 , the high viscosity liquid L 1  is supplied to inside the liquid supply pipe  205 . As a result, the low viscosity liquid L 2  which has filled to the downstream side of the branch point M of the liquid supply pipe  205  is gradually replaced by the high viscosity liquid L 1  from the branch point M towards the head section  201 . 
   Then, finally, as shown in  FIG. 4F , the interior of the head section  201  and all of the liquid supply pipe  205  with the exception of the second branch path  205   b , are filled with the high viscosity liquid L 1 . 
   In this way, filling of the high viscosity liquid L 1  into the head section  201  of the droplet discharge device is performed. 
   Next, after completion of a predetermined operation such as ejecting the high viscosity liquid L 1  from the head section  201  of the droplet discharge device to produce a color filter for a liquid crystal display, the first valve  206   a  is closed and the second valve  206   b  is opened, and the nozzle forming face  201   a  of the head section  201  is sealed with the cap member  207  to apply a negative pressure. 
   As a result, with supply of the high viscosity liquid L 1  from the high viscosity liquid storage section  203  in a stopped condition, the low viscosity liquid L 2  is supplied from the low viscosity liquid storage section  204 . Then the high viscosity liquid L 1  which is filled to inside of the liquid supply pipe  205  is discharged from the plurality of nozzle openings of the head section  201 , and the low viscosity liquid L 2  is introduced to the head section  201 , so that the high viscosity liquid L 1  inside the head section  201  is replaced by the low viscosity liquid L 2  and the low viscosity liquid L 2  is filled into the interior of the head section  201 . 
   In the above mentioned head filling process, the control unit  210  controls the suction amount of the suction pump  208  corresponding to the ambient temperature measured by the temperature sensor  209 , so that the high viscosity liquid L 1  and the low viscosity liquid L 2  are sucked without excess or deficiency. 
   In the present embodiment as described above, the high viscosity liquid L 1  and the low viscosity liquid L 2  can be selectively supplied to the head section  201 , and at the time of the initial filling of the liquid into the head section  201 , first of all the low viscosity liquid L 2  is supplied to the head section  201 , after which the supplied low viscosity liquid L 2  can be replaced by the high viscosity liquid L 1 . Therefore the high viscosity liquid L 1  can be reliably filled without residual bubbles, into the interior of liquid passages having a complicated construction formed in the head section  201 . 
   Furthermore, on completion of predetermined processing using the droplet discharge device, the high viscosity liquid L 1  inside the head section  201  can be discharged and replaced by the low viscosity liquid L 2 . Therefore even in the case of reusing the droplet discharge device after an idle period, clogging or the like of the liquid inside the head section  201  can be prevented. 
     FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  show a second embodiment of the present invention. 
   In these figures, component the same as the constituent components of the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 4F  are denoted by the same reference symbols and the description thereof is omitted. 
   In this embodiment, the high viscosity liquid L 1  and the low viscosity liquid L 2  are liquids of mutually different colors. Moreover, preferably the two liquid L 1  and L 2  are liquids for which phase separation does not occur therebetween. Furthermore, preferably, the low viscosity liquid L 2  is a solvent of the high viscosity liquid L 1 . Moreover, preferably the low viscosity liquid L 2  has a high wettability which respect to material constituting the liquid flow path of the head section  201 . Furthermore, preferably the low viscosity liquid L 2  also serves as a cleaning solution used in cleaning the head section  201 . 
   Moreover, for the liquid supply pipe  205 , at least the portion of the branch point M is formed with a transparent material. Consequently, it is possible to confirm visually or with an optical sensor  212 , whether or not the high viscosity liquid L 1  or the low viscosity liquid L 2  has reached the position of the branch point M. 
   Other construction is the same as that of the first embodiment. 
   In the droplet discharge device of the above construction, in addition to obtaining the same operation and effect as for the first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4C  in a condition with the first valve  206   a  open, the interior of the first branch path  205   a  past the first valve  206   a  is filled with the high viscosity liquid L 1 , and at the point in time when the high viscosity liquid L 1  reaches the position of the branch point M, the first valve  206   a  is closed. However, here the point in time when the high viscosity liquid L 1  reaches the branch point M can be confirmed by the optical sensor  212  via the transparent portion of the branch point M. Consequently, in this embodiment, compared to the case of visual confirmation, labor saving is possible which can contribute to a reduction in costs. 
     FIG. 7  shows a third embodiment of the present invention. 
   In this figure, components the same as the constituent elements of the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  are denoted by the same reference symbols and description thereof is omitted. 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , the droplet discharge device according to this embodiment comprises, an intermediate viscosity liquid storage section (third storage section)  214  which stores an intermediate viscosity liquid (third liquid) L 3  with a lower viscosity than the high viscosity liquid L 1  and a higher viscosity than the low viscosity liquid L 2 . Moreover, the liquid supply pipe  205  has a third branch path  205   c  connected to the branch point M, and an intermediate viscosity liquid storage section  214  is connected to this third branch path  205   c . A third valve  206   c  is provided in the third branch path  205   c.    
   Furthermore, preferably the low viscosity liquid L 2  is a solvent of the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3 , and the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3  is a solvent of the high viscosity liquid L 1 . 
   At the time of filling the liquid into the head section  201  in the droplet discharge device according to this embodiment, in a condition where the liquid is not filled to inside of the head section  201 , the high viscosity liquid L 1  is supplied from the high viscosity liquid storage section  203 , and if the high viscosity liquid L 1  reaches the branch point M, supply of the high viscosity liquid L 1  from the high viscosity liquid storage section  203  is stopped. On the other hand, the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3  is supplied from the intermediate viscosity liquid storage section  214 , and if the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3  reaches the branch point M, supply of the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3  from the intermediate viscosity liquid storage section  214  is stopped. Supply of the high viscosity liquid L 1  and the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3  may be performed simultaneously, or one or the other may be performed first. 
   Next, the low viscosity liquid L 2  is supplied from the low viscosity liquid storage section  204 , so that the low viscosity liquid L 2  fills the interior of the head section  201  via the liquid supply pipe  205 . Then, supply of the low viscosity liquid L 2  from the low viscosity liquid storage section  204  is stopped, and the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3  is supplied from the intermediate viscosity liquid storage section  214 , and while discharging the low viscosity liquid L 2  filled to inside the head section  201  and the liquid supply pipe  205 , from the plurality of nozzle openings of the head section  201 , the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3  is introduced to the head section  201 , and the low viscosity liquid L 2  inside the head section  201  is replaced by the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3 , and the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3  is filled to inside the head section  201 . 
   Next, supply of the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3  from the intermediate viscosity liquid storage section  214  is stopped, and the high viscosity liquid L 1  is supplied form the high viscosity liquid storage section  203 , and while discharging the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3  filled to inside of the head section  201  and the liquid supply pipe  205 , from the plurality of nozzle openings of the head section  201 , the high viscosity liquid L 1  is introduced to the head section  201 , and the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3  inside the head section  201  is replaced by the high viscosity liquid L 1 , and the high viscosity liquid L 1  is filled to inside the head section  201 . 
   In this manner, in this embodiment, the high viscosity liquid L 1 , the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3  and the low viscosity liquid L 2  can be selectively supplied to the head section  201 , and at the time of initial filling of the liquid into the head section  201 , first of all the low viscosity liquid L 2  is supplied to the head section  201 , after which the supplied low viscosity liquid L 2  can be replaced by the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3 , and then the intermediate viscosity liquid L 3  replaced by the high viscosity liquid L 1 . Therefore even in the case where the viscosity of the high viscosity liquid L 1  is the relatively high, the high viscosity liquid L 1  can be reliably filled without residual bubbles, into the interior of liquid passages having a complicated construction formed in the head section  201 . 
     FIG. 8  through  FIG. 17  show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
   In this embodiment, the droplet discharge device of the present invention is described as being applicable to a color filter manufacturing apparatus (device manufacturing apparatus) for manufacturing color filters or the like, used for example in liquid crystal display devices. 
     FIG. 8  is a schematic plan view of the filter manufacturing apparatus (device manufacturing apparatus)  1 . The filter manufacturing apparatus  1  is provided with three drawing devices (droplet discharge devices)  2   b ,  2   d  and  2   f  which have substantially the same construction, and a transport system  3  which transports substrates such as glass substrates between the drawing devices  2   b ,  2   d  and  2   f.    
   The transport system  3  is for transporting the respective substrates between a magazine loader  4  and the drawing device  2   b , between the drawing devices  2   b ,  2   d  and  2   f , and between the drawing device  2   f  and a magazine unloader  5 . Substrate transferring and rotating areas  3   a  and  3   g , drawing device areas  3   b ,  3   d , and  3   f , and intermediate transferring areas  3   c  and  3   e  are positioned along the X direction (the left and right direction in  FIG. 8 ). Hereunder the scanning direction in which substrate moves at the time of impacting the liquid is described as the Y direction (the up and down direction in  FIG. 8 ) and the direction orthogonal to the page in  FIG. 8  is described as the Z direction. 
   The magazine loader  4  can store a plurality of substrates (for example 20 along the Z direction), in two rows spaced apart in the Y direction. Similarly, the magazine unloader  5  can store a plurality of substrates (for example 20 along the Z direction), in two rows spaced apart in the Y direction. 
   In the substrate transferring and rotating area  3   a , mounting stands  6  are respectively installed in positions facing the magazine loaders  4 . The mounting stands  6  are configured to rotate 90° by means of a rotation drive unit (not shown in the figure), to temporally position the mounted substrates. Similarly, in the substrate transferring and rotating area  3   g , mounting stands  7  are respectively arranged in positions facing the magazine unloaders  5 . The mounting stands  7  are configured to rotate 90° by means of a rotation drive unit (not shown in the figure). 
   In the drawing device area  3   b , there is installed a heating apparatus (bake oven)  8   b  which heats the substrates, and transfer robots  9   b  and  10   b  of a double-arm construction. The heating apparatus  8   b  is for heating (baking) substrates which have been drawn by the drawing device  2   b  (for example at 120° C.×5 min). The transfer robot  9   b  is for transferring substrates retained by suction attraction, between the magazine loader  4  and the mounting stand  6  and between the mounting stand  6  and the drawing device  2   b . The transfer robot  10   b  is for transferring substrates retained by suction attraction, between the drawing device  2   b  and the heating apparatus  8   b , between the heating apparatus  8   b  and a later described cooling section  11   c , and between the cooling section  11   c  and a later described buffer section  13   c.    
   In the intermediate transferring area  3   c , there is installed the cooling section  11   c  which cools the substrates, the rotating section  12   c  which respectively rotates the mounted substrates through 90° or 180° by means of a rotation drive unit (not shown in the figure), and the buffer section  13   c  which stocks the substrates which cannot be transferred from the cooling section  11   c  to the rotating section  12   c , due for example to processing time differences between the drawing devices  2   b  and  2   d  (for example, the difference in time required for head cleaning). The buffer section  13   c  has a plurality of slots for substrate stacking in the Z direction, and can be freely moved in Z direction. 
   In the drawing device area  3   d , there is installed a heating apparatus  8   d  which heats substrates, and transfer robots  9   d  and  10   d  of a double-arm construction. The heating apparatus  8   d  is for heating substrates which have been drawn by the drawing device  2   d  (for example at 120° C.×5 min). The transfer robot  9   d  is for transferring substrates retained by suction attraction, between the buffer section  13   c  and the rotating section  12   c , and between the rotating section  12   c  and the drawing device  2   d . The transfer robot  10   d  is for transferring substrates retained by suction attraction, between the drawing device  2   d  and the heating apparatus  8   d , between the heating apparatus  8   d  and a later described cooling section  11   e , and between the cooling section  11   e  and a later described buffer section  13   e.    
   In the intermediate transferring area  3   e , there is installed the cooling section  11   e  which cools the substrates, the rotating section  12   e  which respectively rotates the mounted substrates through 90° or 180° by means of a rotation drive unit (not shown in the figure), and the buffer section  13   e  which stocks the substrates which cannot be transferred from the cooling section  11   e  to the rotating section  12   e , due for example to processing time differences between the drawing devices  2   d  and  2   f  (for example, the difference in time required for head cleaning). The buffer section  13   e  has a plurality of slots for substrate stacking in the Z direction, and can be freely moved in Z direction. 
   In the drawing device area  3   f , there is installed a heating apparatus  8   f  which heats substrates, and transfer robots  9   f  and  10   f  of a double-arm construction. The heating apparatus  8   f  is for heating substrates which have been drawn by the drawing device  2   f  (for example, at 120° C.×5 min). The transfer robot  9   f  is for transferring substrates retained by suction attraction, between the buffer section  13   e  and the rotating section  12   e , and between the rotating section  12   e  and the drawing device  2   f . The transfer robot  10   f  is for transferring substrates retained by suction attraction, between the drawing device  2   f  and the heating apparatus  8   f , between the heating apparatus  8   f  and the mounting stand  7  of the substrate transferring and rotating area, and between the mounting stand  7  and the magazine unloader  5 . 
   The drawing devices  2   b ,  2   d ,  2   f  are for performing drawing processes (film production processes) on transferred substrates, using respective coloring liquids of red, blue and green. These generally each have substantially the same construction, and comprise: a droplet discharge head  14  stored in a thermal clean chamber (not shown in the figure); an X table  15  which supports the droplet discharge head  14  and is moved in the X direction along a pair of X guides  17  by a drive unit such as a linear motor; a Y table  16  arranged below the X table  15  (on the—Z side) which retains a substrate by suction attraction and moves in the Y direction along a pair of Y guides  18 ; and a liquid system  19 . 
   The X table  15  drives and positions the droplet discharge head  14  in the X direction by means of a drive unit such as a linear motor, and also drives and positions the droplet discharge head  14  in a θZ direction (in a rotation direction about the Z axis), in a θX direction (in a rotation direction about the X axis), and in a θY direction (in a rotation direction about the Y axis), by means of a rotation drive unit such as a direct drive motor. Furthermore, the X table  15  is provided with a motor (not shown in the figure) for driving and positioning the droplet discharge head  14  in the Z direction. 
   The Y table  16  is driven and positioned in the Y direction by means of a drive unit such as a linear motor, and is also driven and positioned in the θ direction (in a rotation direction about the Z axis) by means of a rotation drive unit such as a direct drive motor. In the vicinity of a moving path of the Y table  16 , a substrate alignment camera (not shown in the figure) is installed, and the mounting direction and position of the substrate can be detected by detecting an alignment mark formed on the transported substrate. 
   As shown in  FIG. 9 , the droplet discharge head  14  has a rectangular shape as seen in plan view, and a plurality of nozzles is provided on the liquid discharge face (on a face facing the substrate) in two rows along the length direction of the head (for example, 180 nozzles in one row, 360 nozzles in total), spaced apart in the width direction of the head. The plurality of droplet discharge heads  14  (in  FIG. 9 , six in one row, and twelve in total) are positioned and supported on a support plate  20  having a rectangular shape as seen in plan view, with the nozzles directed towards the substrate, and arranged in two rows substantially along the X axis inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the X axis (or the Y axis), and with predetermined spacing therebetween in the Y direction. The droplet discharge heads  14  are supported on the X table  15  via this support plate  20 . The angle of inclination of the droplet discharge head  14  with respect to the X axis (or Y axis) is set based on the array pitch of the filter elements formed on the substrate. 
     FIG. 10  is a right side view in  FIG. 9 . As shown in this figure, each of the droplet discharge heads  14  is respectively provided with an introduction unit  21  for introducing the liquid supplied from the liquid system  19  (these introduction units  21  are omitted in  FIG. 9 ). The respective introduction units  21  have a construction such that the liquid is supplied in two systems for each row of the nozzles. On the side of the support plate  20  where the droplet discharge heads  14  are fitted, are protrudingly provided a plurality of shafts  22  with holes for position detection (not shown in the figure) formed on their tips. The image of these holes is taken by a head alignment camera detection (not shown in the figure) to detect the position thereof, and the position in the θ direction of the support plate  20  with respect to the X table  15  is corrected by a rotation drive unit such as a motor. As a result, the position of the droplet discharge head  14  (and the position of the nozzles) can be aligned (positioned). 
   As shown in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , the liquid system  19  comprises a liquid unit (described later) which supplies liquid stored in a liquid tank  24  and filling liquid stored in a filling liquid tank  25  (described later, see  FIG. 15 ) to the droplet discharge heads  14 , and recovers and discharges the liquid, a cap unit  26 , a wiping unit  27  and a discharge confirmation unit  29 . Of these, the cap unit  26 , the wiping unit  27  and the discharge confirmation unit  29  are arranged below the droplet discharge heads  14 , and installed on a moving board  31  which moves in the Y direction along the pair of Y guides  30  on the base  23 , and are capable of moving integrally with the moving board  31  in the Y direction. 
   The wiping unit  27  is for wiping the liquid discharge face (that is, substantially the nozzle face) of the droplet discharge head  14  by a cloth material such as a belt-like unwoven cloth, and comprises an unwinding reel  27   a  for unwinding the cloth material, a cleaning solution discharge section  27   b  which discharges cleaning solution to be supplied from a cleaning solution tank  32  installed on the base  23  to the cloth material, and a winding reel  27   c  for winding the cloth material which has wiped the droplet discharge heads  14 . By synchronously driving the unwinding reel  27   a , the cleaning solution discharge section  27   b , the winding reel  27   c  and the moving board  31 , it is possible to wipe the liquid discharge face with the cloth material containing the cleaning solution, for example, after the drawing process on the substrate. 
   The discharge confirmation unit  29  is provided in two places for each row where the droplet discharge heads  14  are arranged, below the moving path of the droplet discharge heads  14  in the X direction. Each unit  29  is provided with a discharge detection unit (detection unit, not shown) for detecting the discharge condition of the liquid from the nozzle for each droplet discharge head  14  and for each nozzle, by the shading or transmission of a laser beam, and the detection result is output to a control unit  52  (described later). 
     FIG. 13  is a schematic block diagram (front view) of the cap unit  26 . The cap unit  26  schematically comprises; a plurality of caps  33  each having a suction pad, a support plate  34  for supporting the caps  33 , and shifting devices  37  and  38  such as air cylinders, which drive the support plate  34  in the Z direction via support plates  35  and  36  connected to the support plate  34 . 
   The caps (cap members)  33  are arranged and fixed at positions and with inclinations corresponding to the droplet discharge heads  14 , on the upper face side (+Z side) of the support plate  34 , on the droplet discharge face  14   a  (see  FIG. 10 ) of the droplet discharge heads  14 . More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 14  in two rows substantially along the X direction inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the X axis (or Y axis), with a predetermined spacing in the Y direction. At least the portions of the caps  33  which contact with the high viscosity liquid L 1  and the low viscosity liquid L 2  are liquid resistant. Therefore, the caps are not corroded by the high viscosity liquid L 1  and the low viscosity liquid L 2 . These caps  33  and support plate  34  are arranged below the moving path of the droplet discharge heads  14  in the X direction. 
   The shifting devices  37  and  38  are for shifting the support plate  34  between an abutting position where the caps  33  abut against the liquid discharge faces  14   a  of the droplet discharge heads  14  to suck the liquid, and a retracted position where the caps  33  are separated from the droplet discharge heads  14 , with the movement thereof in the Z direction restricted by a stopper (not shown in the figure), and the drive thereof controlled by the control unit  52  (see  FIG. 15 ). 
   As shown in  FIG. 15 , the liquid unit comprises; a switching unit  40  which selectively switches the liquid to be filled into the droplet discharge head via a liquid sending tube  41  between a drawing liquid (hereinafter simply referred to as liquid) serving as a first liquid stored in the liquid tank  24 , and a filling liquid serving as a second liquid stored in the filling liquid tank  25 , and a suction pump (suction unit)  39  connected to the caps  33  for sucking the liquid or the filling liquid via the caps  33  and discharging this to a waste liquid tank  42 . 
   As the filling liquid, a solvent component contained in the liquid and having a lower viscosity than that of the liquid is used herein (for example, liquid: 20 mPa·s, filling liquid: 5 to 6 mPa·s). For the switching unit  40 , for example, a switching valve is used, and the switching operation is controlled by the control unit  52 . 
   The liquid tank  24  and the filling liquid tank  25  are provided with a de-gassifier (liquid de-gassifier, filling liquid de-gassifier)  43 , such as a suction pump, which de-gasses both of the tanks  24  and  25  (that is, the liquid and the filling liquid) collectively. Drive of the de-gassifier is also controlled by the control unit  52 . The control unit  52  has a configuration such that it comprehensively controls the shifting devices  37  and  38 , the suction pump  39 , the switching unit  40  and the de-gassifier  43 . 
   The transportation process for the substrates in the transporting system  3  of the filter production apparatus  1  having the above described configuration, will be described first. 
   The substrate to be subjected to the drawing process by the coloring liquid is taken out from the magazine loader  4  by the transfer robot  9   b  and mounted on the mounting stand  6 , rotated in a direction corresponding to the drawing process, and at the same time, temporarily positioned (preliminary positioning). The substrate on the mounting stand  6  is transferred to the Y table  16  in the drawing device  2   b  again by the transfer robot  9   b , and is subjected to the drawing process, using for example red liquid. 
   The substrate having gone through the drawing process in the drawing device  2   b  is transferred from the Y table  16  to the heating unit  8   b  by the transfer robot  10   b  and heated and dried, and is then transferred to the cooling section  11   e  in the intermediate transferring area  3   c . If another substrate that has been processed before, exists where the substrate is to be transferred, this substrate is transferred in advance by an other transfer robot. Specifically, if an other substrate is retained on the Y table  16 , when the transfer robot  9   b  transfers the substrate to the Y table  16 , this substrate is transferred in advance to the heating unit  8   b  by the transfer robot  10   b . In this manner, by adopting a double-arm construction, wasteful waiting time relating to the substrate transfer can be eliminated, and hence production efficiency is improved. 
   The substrate having cooled in the cooling section  11   c  to an appropriate temperature for the drawing process in the drawing device  2   d , is transferred to the buffer section  13   c  and stocked therein, so as to accommodate any difference in the process time between the drawing devices  2   b  and  2   d . In the case where a difference in the process time does not occur, it is not always necessary to stock the substrate in the buffer section  13 . 
   When preparation for processing in the drawing device  2   d  is complete, the transfer robot  9   d  in the drawing device area  3   d  transfers the substrate from the buffer section  13   c  to the rotation section  12   c . The substrate rotated and positioned by the rotation section  12   c  in a direction corresponding to the drawing process in the drawing device  2   d , is transferred to the Y table  16  in the drawing device  2   d  by the transfer robot  9   d , and is subjected to the drawing process using for example the blue liquid. 
   The subsequent operation is similar to the operation described above, and hence will only be described in brief. The substrate having gone through the drawing process in the drawing device  2   d  is transferred from the Y table  16  to the heating unit  8   d  by the transfer robot  10   d  and heated and dried, and is then transferred to the cooling section  11   e  in the intermediate transferring area  3   e . The cooled substrate is transferred to the buffer section  13   e  by the transfer robot  10   d , and is then transferred to the rotation section  12   e  by the transfer robot  9   f , and rotated and positioned according to the process in the drawing device  2   f . Then the substrate is transferred to the Y table  16  in the drawing device  2   f  by the transfer robot  9   f , and is subjected to the drawing process using for example the green liquid. 
   The substrate having gone through the drawing process in the drawing device  2   f  is transferred to the heating unit  8   f  by the transfer robot  10   f  and heated, and is then transferred to the mounting stand  7  in the substrate transferring and rotating area  3   g . The substrate is then rotated in a direction for at the time of storing the substrate in the magazine unloader  5 , and stored in the magazine unloader  5  again by the transfer robot  10   f.    
   Next is a description of the substrate drawing process steps in the drawing devices  2   b ,  2   d  and  2   f.    
   When the substrate is transferred to the Y table  16 , the mounting direction and position of the substrate is detected by imaging the alignment mark of the substrate by the substrate alignment camera. By driving the drive unit and the rotation drive unit based on the detected position, the substrate is positioned (aligned) at a predetermined position. On the other hand, with respect to the droplet discharge heads  14 , by imaging the holes in the shafts  22  by the head alignment camera, the position of the support plate  20 , that is, the position of the droplet discharge heads  14  (and the position of the nozzle) is detected, and the droplet discharge heads  14  are positioned at a predetermined position and attitude, by driving the drive unit such as a linear motor or a direct drive motor. 
   Here, at the initial stage of the drawing process, the liquid is not introduced to the droplet discharge heads  14 . Therefore, before drawing, the droplet discharge heads  14  are sucked by the suction pump  39  to thereby introduce the liquid. Specifically, at first the X table  15  moves in the X direction to position the droplet discharge heads  14  at positions facing the caps  33 . Then the support plate  34  is shifted from the retracted position to the abutting position in the +Z direction by driving the shifting devices  37  and  38 . As a result, all caps  33  respectively abut against the corresponding droplet discharge faces  14   a  of the droplet discharge heads  14 . 
   Then, when the caps  33  are positioned at the abutting positions, the control unit  52  actuates the suction unit  39 . At this time, the control unit  52  operates the switching unit  40  in advance to allow the filling liquid tank  25  to communicate with the liquid sending tube  41 . As a result, the de-gassed filling liquid is sucked, and is filled into the droplet discharge heads  14  from the filling liquid tank  25  through the liquid sending tube  41 . The filling liquid filled into the droplet discharge heads  14  is sucked to the caps  33 , and is then discharged from the suction pad through the suction pump  39  to the waste liquid tank  42 . Moreover, bubbles in the droplet discharge heads  14  are discharged together with the filling liquid from the droplet discharge heads  14  without any problem, because the viscosity of the filling liquid is low. 
   After filling and discharge of the filling liquid have been carried out for a predetermined period of time, the control unit  52  operates the switching unit  40 , to allow the liquid tank  24  to communicate with the liquid sending tube  41 . As a result, the de-gassed liquid having a relatively high viscosity is introduced to the droplet discharge heads  14  from the liquid tank  24  through the liquid sending tube  41 , and the filling liquid inside the droplet discharge heads  14  is replaced by the liquid. Since bubbles in the droplet discharge heads  14  are removed by filling the filling liquid beforehand, then even when a high viscosity liquid is to be filled, bubbles do not remain in the droplet discharge head  14 . 
   When the liquid and the filling liquid are to be filled into the droplet discharge heads  14 , the control unit  52  sets suction conditions for the suction pump  39 , in accordance with the viscosity of the liquid and the filling liquid supplied to the droplet discharge heads  14 . Specifically, the control unit  52  sets a negative pressure (suction force) and suction time to optimum values, as the suction conditions, according to the viscosity of the liquid and the filling liquid supplied to the droplet discharge heads  14 . The optimum values are preferably measured by experiments or simulation and stored in advance. When the suction force is set according to the viscosity as the suction condition, it is desirable to install a measuring instrument for measuring the suction force by the suction pump  39  in a suction path or the like, and feed-back control the suction pump  39  based on the measurement result of the measuring instrument, since this enables the negative suction force to be set highly accurately. 
   When the liquid is filled into the droplet discharge heads  14 , then even if the filling liquid filled beforehand remains therein, since the filling liquid comprises a solvent component contained in the liquid, there is practically no problem if the filling liquid is mixed with the liquid, and there is no adverse affect on the liquid properties (drawing properties). Even if bubbles are not present immediately after filling the filling liquid or liquid into the droplet discharge heads  14 , bubbles may occur in the filling liquid or liquid due to elapse of time. However, since the preliminarily de-gassed filling liquid and liquid are filled into the droplet discharge heads  14 , bubbles do not occur, and on the contrary, bubbles remaining in the droplet discharge heads  14  can be absorbed by these liquids. 
   When the liquid is introduced to and filled into the droplet discharge head  14  (nozzle), the droplet discharge head  14  is shifted to above the discharge confirmation unit  29  via the X table. Then the liquid is preliminarily discharged to the discharge confirmation unit  29  from the droplet discharge head  14 . More specifically, the support plate  20  is moved back and forth above the discharge confirmation unit  29 , and the liquid is discharged from the droplet discharge heads  14  for each row, respectively, on the forward and return trips. At the time of discharging the liquid, the discharge detection apparatus irradiates detection light such as laser beams, to detect the discharge condition of the liquid for each droplet discharge head  14  and for each nozzle, performing a so-called dot omission detection. Here, when dot omission is detected, the droplet discharge head  14  is sucked by the cap unit  26  in the same procedure as described above. 
   When preparation of the liquid for the drawing process is complete, the drawing process is executed. Actually, the weight of the liquid discharged from the droplet discharge head  14  is measured, but here explanation of this is omitted. Hereunder is a description of an example in which a color filter is manufactured by the drawing process, with reference to  FIG. 16A  to  FIG. 16F  and  FIG. 17 . 
   The substrate  100  in  FIG. 16A  to  FIG. 16F  is a transparent substrate, and one having an appropriate mechanical strength and high optical transparency is used. For the substrate  100 , for example, a transparent glass substrate, an acrylic glass, a plastic substrate, a plastic film and surface treated articles thereof can be used. 
   For example, as shown in  FIG. 17 , a plurality of color filter areas  105  is formed in a matrix on the rectangular substrate  100 , from the viewpoint of increasing the productivity. These color filter areas  105  can be used as color filters suitable for liquid crystal display devices, by cutting the glass  100  in a later stage. 
   As shown in  FIG. 17 , for example, R liquid, G liquid and B liquid are formed and arranged in a predetermined pattern on the color filter area  105 . This formation pattern includes, as shown in the figure, a conventionally known stripe type, as well as a mosaic type, a delta type and a square type. 
     FIG. 16A  to  FIG. 16F  show one example of steps for forming the color filter area  105  on the substrate  100 . 
   In  FIG. 16A , a black matrix  110  is formed on one face of the transparent substrate  100 . On the substrate  100 , which becomes a base for the color filter, a resin having no optical transparency (preferably black) is applied in a predetermined thickness (for example, about 2 μm) by a method of spin coating or the like, to provide the black matrix  110  in a matrix form by a method such as a photolithography method. The smallest display element surrounded by a lattice of the black matrix  110  is referred to as a filter element, which is a window having, for example, a width of 30 μm in the direction of the X axis and a length of about 100 μm in the direction of the Y axis. 
   After the black matrix  110  is formed, the resin on the substrate  100  is baked, for example by applying heat with a heater. 
   As shown in  FIG. 16B , the droplets  99  impact on the filter element  112 . The quantity of the droplets  99  is a sufficient quantity, taking into consideration a volume reduction of the liquid in the heating step. 
   In the heating step shown in  FIG. 16C , when the droplets  99  are filled into all the filter elements on the color filter, the heating process is carried out using a heater. The substrate  100  is heated to a predetermined temperature (for example, about 70° C.). When the solvent in the liquid evaporates, the liquid volume decreases. If the volume decrease is too quick, the liquid discharge step and the heating step are repeated until a sufficient thickness of the liquid film as the color filter can be obtained. By this process, the solvent in the liquid evaporates, and only solids in the liquid finally remain and are formed into a film. 
   In a protective film forming step in  FIG. 16D , heating is carried out at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time, in order to completely dry the droplets  99 . When drying has finished, a protective film  120  is formed in order to protect the substrate  100  of the color filter having the liquid film formed thereon and to flatten the filter surface. For example, a spin coating method, a roll coating method or a ripping method can be employed for forming the protective film  120 . 
   In a transparent electrode forming step in  FIG. 16E , a transparent electrode  130  is formed over the whole surface of the protective film  120 , using a method such as sputtering or vacuum adsorption. 
   In a patterning step in  FIG. 16F , the transparent electrode  130  is further patterned on pixel electrodes corresponding to the openings of the filter element  112 . 
   When a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) or the like is used for driving the liquid crystal display panel, this patterning is not required.  FIG. 18  shows an example of a liquid crystal panel having for example a color filter manufactured according to the present invention, and an opposed substrate. In this figure, a liquid crystal panel  450  is constructed by combining a color filter  400  and an opposed substrate  466  between upper and lower deflector plates  462  and  467 , and enclosing a liquid crystal composition  465  therebetween. Between the color filter  400  and the opposed substrate  466  are formed oriented films  461  and  464 , and TFT (Thin Film Transistor) elements (not shown in the figure) and pixel electrodes  463  are formed in a matrix on the inner face of the opposed substrate  466  on one side. In this liquid crystal panel, a color filter manufactured by the above described manufacturing method is used as the color filter  400 . 
   During the drawing process it is desirable to wipe the liquid discharge face  14   a  of the droplet discharge head  14  using the wiping unit  27 , regularly or at any time. This wiping can be executed by allowing a wet cloth, unwound from the unwinding reel  27   a  and onto which the cleaning solution has been discharged, to slidingly contact with the liquid discharge face  14   a , with movement of the moving board  31 . 
   When the drawing process has finished, the control unit  52  again allows the filling liquid tank  25  to communicate with the liquid sending tube  41 , by operating the switching unit  40 , and allows the caps  33  to each abut against the liquid discharge face  14   a  of the droplet discharge head  14 , to suck the droplet discharge head  14  by the suction pump  39 . As a result, the liquid inside the droplet discharge head  14  is again replaced by the filling liquid. In this manner, if the droplet discharge head  14  is held in the state of being filled by the filling liquid, then even with a rapid drying liquid, this can be used without taking into consideration that this may solidified inside the droplet discharge head  14 . 
   As described above, in this embodiment, after bubbles are discharged through the step of filling the filling liquid into the droplet discharge head  14 , the filling liquid is replaced by the liquid. Hence, even when a high viscosity liquid is used, the liquid can be discharged with stable discharge characteristics maintained, and without the occurrence of poor discharge attributable to the presence of bubbles. As a result, it becomes possible to widely expand the use of the droplet discharge device even for industrial use where liquids having various types of viscosity are used. 
   In this embodiment, since the solvent component contained in the liquid is used as the filling liquid, then even if the filling liquid has not been sufficiently replaced by the liquid, adverse effects on the drawing characteristics of the liquid can be substantially prevented. In addition, even when solidified liquid adheres in the vicinity of the nozzle of the droplet discharge head  14 , this solid component can be dissolved by the filling liquid, being a solvent component. Therefore, solids which adversely affect the discharge characteristics of the liquid can be removed, to thereby obtain stable discharge characteristics of the liquid. In particular, in this embodiment, the liquid or the filling liquid is filled by sucking the droplet discharge head  14 , and the distance up to the filling point is short, compared to the case where the liquid tank  24  or the filling liquid tank  25  side is pressurized. Hence, effective filling can be realized with pressure loss being reduced, and solids and dirt adhered to the droplet discharge head  14  can be easily removed. Moreover, since the filling liquid constitutes a part of the liquid, when the filling liquid is mixed with the liquid, it is possible to prevent precipitation of solids from the liquid due to so called solvent shock. 
   Further, in this embodiment, since the filling liquid and the liquid are de-gassed beforehand, prior to being filled into the droplet discharge head  14 , then even if bubbles are not present immediately after filling the liquid into the droplet discharge head  14 , this can prevent the generation of bubbles from the filling liquid and the liquid due to elapse of time. Furthermore, even if by chance, some bubbles remain inside the droplet discharge head  14 , these filling liquid and liquid can absorb these bubbles, and a drop in the discharge characteristics due to bubbles can be avoided. 
   In this embodiment, since the filled liquid is again replaced by the filling liquid after the drawing process, and the droplet discharge head  14  is kept in this condition, then even rapid drying liquid can be used in the droplet discharge head  14  without taking into consideration that the filling liquid may be solidified thereinside. 
   With respect to a device such as a liquid crystal display device having a color filter manufactured by the filter production apparatus  1 , by applying the drawing process with predetermined discharge characteristics for the liquid, predetermined device properties can be ensured. 
   In the above embodiments, the de-gassifier  43  de-gasses both the liquid and the filling liquid. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, de-gassifiers may be provided separately. Moreover, in the above embodiments, the solvent component contained in the liquid is used as the filling liquid, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a heating unit may be added to the filling liquid tank, and heated liquid may be used as the filling liquid. In this case, since bubbles are discharged by filling the reduced viscosity liquid into the droplet discharge head  14 , if the heated liquid is replaced by the drawing liquid of a temperature suitable for the drawing process, a similar effect to that when the solvent component is used can be obtained. 
   The manufacturing method of the color filter is not limited to the one shown in  FIG. 16A  to  FIG. 16F , and various methods can be employed. A manufacturing method in another aspect is shown in  FIGS. 19A to 19I . For example, the surface of a transparent substrate  100  comprising non-alkali glass is cleaned with a cleaning solution in which 1% by weight of hydrogen peroxide solution is added to hot concentrated sulfuric acid, and after being rinsed by pure water, the surface of the transparent substrate  100  is dried by air, to obtain a clean surface. On this surface is formed a chromium film in a predetermined film thickness by a sputtering method, to obtain a metal layer  101  (see  FIG. 19A ). On the surface of the metal layer  101 , a photoresist is spin-coated. The substrate  100  is dried on a hot plate at 80° C. for 5 minutes, to form a photoresist layer  102  (see  FIG. 19B ). A mask film, on which a predetermined matrix pattern is drawn, is stuck onto the surface of the substrate, and exposed with ultraviolet rays. Then this is immersed in an alkali developer containing potassium hydroxide to remove the photoresist in the unexposed portion, to thereby pattern a resist layer  102  (see  FIG. 19C ). Subsequently, the exposed metal layer  101  is removed by an etchant composed mainly of hydrochloric acid (see  FIG. 19D ), and the resist on the chromium is removed. In this manner, a shading layer (black matrix)  110  having a predetermined matrix pattern is obtained (see  FIG. 19E ). 
   A negative type transparent acrylic photosensitive resin composition  103  is then applied over the whole surface of the substrate  100  by the spin coating method (see  FIG. 19F ). After pre-baking, ultraviolet exposure is carried out using a mask film having a predetermined matrix pattern drawn thereon. The resin in the unexposed portions is developed by a developer, rinsed with pure water, and spin-dried. After baking is carried out as final drying, the resin portion is sufficiently hardened, to form banks  104  (see  FIG. 19G ). As shown in  FIG. 19G , on the outermost shading layer  110 , the bank  104  is formed so as to cover the outermost side. Thereafter, materials which become filters of the respective colors, R, G and B are discharged into the banks  104 , using the above described droplet discharge device. The substrate  100  is then heated and subjected to a hardening process for the filter material, to thereby obtain a color film layer (see  FIG. 19H ). A protection layer  120  (overcoat layer) is formed by applying a transparent acrylic resin paint on the color filter substrate manufactured in this manner, to obtain a color filter (see  FIG. 19I ). 
   In the above embodiments, the head section  201  using the piezoelectric vibrator  225  of a deflection vibration mode is illustrated, but the present invention is also applicable to a droplet discharge device, shown in  FIG. 20 , having a head section (droplet discharge head)  162 , using a piezoelectric vibrator  161  of a longitudinal vibration mode. 
   This head section  162  comprises a base  163  made of a synthetic resin, and a flow path unit  164  attached on the front face (corresponding to the left side in the figure) of the base  163 . The flow path unit  164  comprises a nozzle plate  166  having a nozzle opening  165  formed therein, a diaphragm  167  and a flow path forming plate  168 . 
   The base  163  is a block member having a storage space  169  opened on the front and rear faces. In this storage space  169 , a piezoelectric vibrator  161  secured onto a fixed substrate  170  is stored. 
   The nozzle plate  166  is a thin plate member having a plurality of nozzle openings  165  formed therein along a direction crossing with the scanning direction. Each nozzle opening  165  is set at a predetermined pitch corresponding to the dot forming density. The diaphragm  167  is a plate member having an island portion  171  as a thick portion where the piezoelectric vibrator  161  contacts, and a resilient thin portion  172  provided so as to surround the island portion  171 . 
   A plurality of island portions  171  is provided at a predetermined pitch, so that one island portion  171  corresponds to one nozzle opening  165 . 
   The flow path forming plate  168  is provided with a pressure chamber  173 , a common liquid chamber  174 , and an opening for forming a liquid supply path  175  connecting the pressure chamber  173  and the common liquid chamber  174 . 
   The nozzle plate  166  is arranged on the front face of the flow path forming plate  168 , and the diaphragm  167  is arranged on the rear side, so as to form the flow path unit  164  with the flow path forming plate  168  being interposed between the nozzle plate  166  and the diaphragm  167  and integrated by bonding or the like. 
   In this flow path unit  164 , a pressure chamber  173  is formed on the rear side of the nozzle opening  165 , and the island portion  171  of the diaphragm  167  is located on the rear side of the pressure chamber  173 . The pressure chamber  173  and the common liquid chamber  174  communicate with each other by the liquid supply path  175 . 
   The tip of the piezoelectric vibrator  161  abuts against the island portion  171  on the rear side, and in this abutted condition, the piezoelectric vibrator  161  is fixed to the base  163 . A drive pulse or printing data (SI) are supplied to the piezoelectric vibrator  161  via a flexible cable. 
   The piezoelectric vibrator  161  of a longitudinal vibration mode has a characteristic in that it contracts in a direction orthogonal to the electric field, when being charged with electricity, and expands in the direction orthogonal to the electric field, when being discharged. Therefore, in this head section  162 , the piezoelectric vibrator  161  contracts rearwards when being charged, and with this contraction, the island portion  171  is brought back rearwards, and the contracted pressure chamber  173  expands. Accompanying this expansion, the liquid in the common liquid chamber  174  flows into the pressure chamber  173  through the liquid supply path  175 . On the other hand, when being discharged, the piezoelectric vibrator  161  expands forwards, and the island portion  171  of the resilient plate is pushed forwards, and the pressure chamber  173  contracts. With this contraction, the liquid pressure in the pressure chamber  173  increases. 
   As described above, in this head section  162 , the relation between the voltage level due to charging or discharging the piezoelectric vibrator  161  and the expansion or contraction of the pressure chamber  173 , is opposite to the case of the head section  201  shown in  FIG. 3 . In this head section  162 , filling of liquid into the pressure chamber  173  is carried out by increasing the voltage. Similarly, discharge of droplets is carried out by decreasing the voltage. 
   The present invention is applicable not only to a droplet discharge device comprising a head section using a piezoelectric vibrator of a deflection vibration mode or a longitudinal vibration mode, but also to a droplet discharge device comprising a head section in which droplets are discharged by generating pressure by heating the liquid. 
   In the above embodiments, the construction is such that the first liquid and the second liquid are filled into the droplet discharge head by negative pressure suction of a suction unit having a suction pump. But the present invention is not limited to this construction, and for example, as shown in  FIG. 21 , the construction may be such that a pressurizing unit  215  such as a pressurizing pump is provided in a liquid supply tube  205 , and the liquid is filled into a head section  201  by pressurizing the liquid supplied to the head section  201 . Also in this case, as in the case where the liquid is filled by negative pressure suction, the liquid can be filled into the head section  201  under optimum conditions, by setting the pressurizing conditions (pressurizing force and pressurizing time) corresponding to the viscosity of the liquid to be filled into the head section  201 . When the liquid is filled into the head section  201  by pressurizing, the suction pump  208  is not always necessary, but it can be used for reliably recovering the liquid discharged to a cap member  207  from the head section  201 . 
   In the above embodiments, explanation has been given for the case where a drawing (film production) process is carried out by discharging one kind of liquid onto the substrate. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the construction may be such that one head section  201  is used to separately discharge a plurality of liquids of different kinds, to form a film on the substrate. For example, in the case where a resist and metal wiring are to be formed on the substrate, it is possible that a first liquid containing the resist material is filled into the head section  201  by using the above described liquid filling method, and the liquid is discharged onto the substrate to form a film, and then the first liquid is replaced by a second liquid such as acetone also having a function as a cleaning solution, and thereafter a different first liquid containing a metal material replaces the second liquid, and is filled into the head section  201 . The metal material is then discharged from the head section  201  onto the substrate, to be formed as wiring. In this case, a plurality of kinds of liquids having high viscosity can be film-formed on the substrate with one apparatus, thereby enabling improvement in the production efficiency. The second liquid used herein desirably has non-reactivity and compatibility with respect to the plurality of first liquids. 
   The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes are possible without departing from the scope of claims. 
   The device manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is not limited to manufacturing for example color filters for liquid crystal display devices, and for example, is applicable to EL (electroluminescence) display devices. The EL display device is an element having a configuration such that a thin film including fluorescent inorganic and organic compounds is interposed between a cathode and an anode, and electrons and positive holes are injected into the thin film and recombined, to thereby generate excitons, and the discharge of light (fluorescence and phosphorescence) at the time when the excitons are deactivated is used to emit light. Of the fluorescent materials used for the EL display device, materials exhibiting luminescent colors of red, green and blue are patterned by droplet discharge on a device substrate such as a TFT, using the device manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, thereby enabling a spontaneous light-emitting full color EL display device to be manufactured. The scope of the device in the present invention includes a substrate of such an EL display device. 
     FIG. 22  is a cross-section of an organic EL device to which the manufacturing method of the present invention is applicable. 
   As shown in  FIG. 22 , this organic EL device  301  is obtained by connecting an organic EL element  302  comprising a substrate  311 , a circuit element portion  321 , pixel electrodes  331 , bank portions  341 , light emission elements  351 , a cathode  361  (counter electrode) and a sealing substrate  371 , to wiring and a drive IC (not shown in the figure) of a flexible substrate (not shown in the figure). The circuit element portion  321  is formed on the substrate  311 , and a plurality of pixel electrodes  331  connected to a TFT  322 , being a switching element, are aligned on the circuit element portion  321 . The bank portions  341  are formed in the form of a lattice between the respective pixel electrodes  331 . The light emission elements  351  are formed in depressed openings  344  generated by the bank portions  341 . The cathode  361  is formed over the whole upper surface of the bank portions  341  and the light emission elements  351 , and the sealing substrate  371  is laminated on the cathode  361  comprising LiF (lithium fluoride)/Ca (calcium)/Al (aluminum). 
   The manufacturing process of the organic EL apparatus  301  including the organic EL element comprises: a bank portion forming step for forming the bank portions  341 ; a plasma treatment step for appropriately forming the light emission elements  351 ; a light emission element forming step for forming the light emission elements  351 ; a counter electrode forming step for forming the cathode  361 ; and a sealing step for laminating the sealing substrate  371  on the cathode  361  for sealing. 
   The light emission element forming step is for forming the light emission elements  351  by forming a hole injection and transportation layer  352  and a light-emitting layer  353  on the depressed openings  344 , that is, on the pixel electrodes  331 , and comprises a hole injection and transportation layer forming step and a light emitting layer forming step. The hole injection and transportation layer forming step has a first droplet discharge step for discharging a first composition (functional liquid) for forming the hole injection and transportation layer  352  onto each pixel electrode  331 , and a first drying step for drying the discharged first composition to form the hole injection and transportation layer  352 . The light emitting layer forming step has a second droplet discharge step for discharging a second composition (functional liquid) for forming the light-emitting layer  353  onto the hole injection and transportation layer  352 , and a second drying step for drying the discharged second composition to form the light-emitting layer  353 . In this light emitting layer forming step, the light emission element is formed by using the above described droplet discharge device. 
   In this case, the device manufacturing apparatus of the present invention may have a step for carrying out surface treatment such as plasma, UV treatment and coupling, with respect to the resin resist, the pixel electrode, and the surface of a layer which becomes the lower layer, so that the EL material easily adheres. The EL display device manufactured using the device manufacturing apparatus of the present invention can be applied to a segment display or a still picture display with simultaneous emission over the whole surface, for example, a low information field such as pictures, characters and labels, or can be used as a light source having a point, line and plane shape. Moreover, by using a passive drive display device as well as an active device such as the TFT for driving, a full color display device having high luminance and excellent response can be obtained. Furthermore, if a metal material and an insulating material are used in the droplet discharge patterning technique of the apparatus, direct fine patterning of metal wiring and insulation films becomes possible. The device manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is also applicable to manufacturing PDPs (plasma display panels) using this metal wiring forming technique, or preparation of novel high-performance devices such as antennas for wireless tags. 
   Furthermore, the droplet discharge head  14  of the illustrated filter production apparatus is one which can discharge one kind of liquid of R (red), G (green) or B (blue), but needless to say, it is also possible to discharge two or three kinds of these liquids at the same time. 
   The electronic equipment, in which the device according to the embodiment is assembled, includes various electronic equipment, such as personal computers, portable telephones, electronic pocketbooks, pagers, POS terminals, IC cards, mini disk players, liquid crystal projectors, engineering workstations (EWS), word processors, TVs, video tape recorders of a view finder type or a monitor direct-view type, electronic desk calculators, car navigation apparatus, apparatus having a touch panel, watches and game equipment. For example,  FIG. 23A  is a perspective view showing an example of a portable telephone. In  FIG. 23A , reference symbol  600  denotes a portable telephone body, and reference symbol  601  denotes a display section using the color filter.  FIG. 23B  is a perspective view showing an example of a portable information processor such as a word processor or personal computer. In  FIG. 23B , reference symbol  700  denotes an information processing unit, reference symbol  701  denotes an input section such as a key board, reference symbol  703  denotes an information processing unit body, and reference symbol  702  denotes a display section using the color filter.  FIG. 23C  is a perspective view showing an example of a wrist watch type electronic device. In  FIG. 23C , reference symbol  800  denotes a watch body, and reference symbol  801  denotes a display section using the color filter. Since the electronic equipment shown in  FIG. 23A  to  FIG. 23C  comprise the color filter of the above embodiments, electronic equipment having a color filter manufacturable at high quality and high throughput can be realized. 
   INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
   As described above, in the present invention, the first liquid and the second liquid having a lower viscosity than the first liquid can be selectively supplied to the head section. At the time of initial filling of the liquid into the head section, at first the second liquid having low viscosity is filled into the head section, and then the filled second liquid can be replaced by the first liquid. Hence, even if the viscosity of the first liquid is high, the first liquid can be reliably filled without residual bubbles, into the interior of liquid flow passages having a complicated construction formed in the head section. 
   On completion of predetermined processing using the droplet discharge device, the first liquid inside the head section can be discharged and replaced by the low viscosity second liquid. Therefore, even in the case of reusing the droplet discharge device after an idle period, clogging or the like of liquid inside the head section can be prevented.