Patent Publication Number: US-7219976-B2

Title: Wiping device, droplet discharge device, electro-optical device, method for manufacturing an electro-optical device, and electronic equipment

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   Exemplary aspects of the present invention relate to a wiping device of a droplet discharge head represented by an inkjet head fitted in a droplet discharge device (lithography device), a droplet discharge device fitted with the wiping device, an electro-optical device, a method for manufacturing an electro-optical device, and electronic equipment. 
   A related art wiping device includes a wiper unit and a sheet feeder unit. The wiper unit is fitted with a pressure member that presses a wiping sheet relatively on a nozzle surface of a droplet discharge head. The sheet feeder unit feeds the wiping sheet via the pressure member. With the wiping sheet pressed onto the nozzle surface, the wiper unit moves together with the sheet feeder unit in a predetermined wiping direction parallel to the nozzle surface, while feeding the wiping sheet, so as to wipe the nozzle surface with the wiping sheet. See Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-171135 (Page 4, FIG. 2). 
   This device applies a cleaner including a functional liquid solvent by dropping the cleaner from a plurality of cleaner discharge nozzles arranged side by side in a position facing the wiping sheet. 
   In order to effectively clean the droplet discharge head, the cleaner is preferably applied to the wiping sheet evenly on an applied area. In order to apply a cleaner evenly on an applied area, the cleaner is sprayed to the applied area of the wiping sheet with a cleaner spray nozzle. 
   SUMMARY 
   In this case, however, part of the cleaner sprayed from the cleaner spray nozzle fails to be applied to the wiping sheet and gets dispersed and adheres to peripheral units, such as the droplet discharge head and the sheet feeder unit, other than the wiping sheet. As a result, the cleaner is wasted and adversely affects the device depending on properties of the solvent used as the cleaner. 
   Accordingly, exemplary aspects of the present invention to provide a wiping device, a droplet discharge device, an electro-optical device, a method for manufacturing an electro-optical device, and electronic equipment that are capable of making a cleaner be applied to an area of a wiping sheet. 
   A wiping device of one exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a wiping sheet that wipes a nozzle surface of a droplet discharge head, and cleaner sprayer that sprays and applies a cleaner to an applied area on the front surface of the wiping sheet prior to the wiping. The wiping device also includes a charged electrode that electrically charges a cleaner sprayed by the cleaner sprayer, and an absorption electrode that is provided on the back surface of the wiping sheet and corresponds to the charged electrode. 
   With this structure, the cleaner charged by the charged electrode is absorbed toward the absorption electrode placed on the back surface of the wiping sheet, and thus adheres to an applied area on the wiping sheet that corresponds to the absorption electrode. 
   In a case where the wiping sheet is required to have an applied area of a predetermined shape, the absorption electrode may have a plane shape corresponding to the shape. 
   The charged electrode is provided in unit with the cleaner sprayer. A voltage applied to the charged electrode and the absorption electrode may vary depending on required suction of the cleaner. 
   In this case, the wiping device may include a static eliminator that eliminates a static charge from the wiping sheet to which a cleaner is applied so as to prevent the nozzle surface of the droplet discharge head from being electrically charged. 
   With this structure, even if the cleaner applied on the wiping sheet is not neutralized by the absorption electrode, the static eliminator completely removes electrical charges from the cleaner on the wiping sheet. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the likelihood prevent a circuit included in the droplet discharge head from being damaged by static charges, etc., caused by the charged cleaner applied on the wiping sheet while the nozzle surface of the droplet discharge head is wiped. 
   In this case, the width of the absorption electrode may be slightly smaller than the sheet width of the wiping sheet. 
   With this structure, it is possible to reduce the likelihood or prevent part of the charged cleaner from getting to the back area of the wiping sheet through a portion outside the sheet width of the wiping sheet and directly adhering to the absorption electrode. 
   In this case, the absorption electrode may be separated into a plurality of partial electrodes to each of which a voltage is applied individually. 
   With this structure, by selecting any one or plural desired partial electrodes, the charged cleaner is applied to an area on the wiping sheet corresponding to the shape of the selected electrode(s). Therefore, it is possible to set the shape and size of the applied area in accordance with the shape of an object to be wiped. For example, a plurality of droplet discharge head units with the different arrangement of their droplet discharge heads are replaceable. If the cleaner is required to be applied in an area corresponding to the position of the nozzle of each droplet discharge head unit, it can be easily achieved by selecting any of the plurality of electrodes that have been arranged in advance. 
   In order to select and wipe any of the plurality of droplet discharge heads, it is possible to selectively apply the cleaner to the area of the wiping sheet corresponding to the droplet discharge head to be wiped as long as the partial electrodes are arranged correspondingly to each droplet discharge head. Since the cleaner is not sprayed and applied to the area of the wiping sheet that is not used for wiping, it is possible not only to reduce the amount of the cleaner used (sprayed), but also to reduce the amount of the cleaner getting dispersed. 
   In this case, the charged electrode may be roughly ring shaped surrounding a cleaner that has been sprayed. 
   With this structure in which the cleaner sprayed by the cleaner spray nozzle passes through the roughly ring-shaped charged electrode, it is possible to evenly and efficiently charge the cleaner. 
   A droplet discharge unit of another exemplary aspect of the present invention includes the wiping device, the droplet discharge head that discharges a functional-liquid droplet to a work, and an X-Y moving mechanism that relatively moves a work to the droplet discharge head in an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction. 
   With this structure, it is possible to keep the nozzle surface of the droplet head free from stains with the wiping device, and thereby maintaining stable functional-liquid discharge and highly accurate lithography. Moreover, it is possible to reduce the likelihood or prevent the cleaner from staining peripheral units. 
   In an electro-optical device of another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a film-forming part is provided by discharging a functional-liquid droplet to a work from the droplet discharge head by using the droplet discharge unit. 
   In a method for manufacturing an electro-optical device of another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a film-forming part is provided by discharging a functional-liquid droplet to a work from the droplet discharge head by using the droplet discharge unit. 
   With this structure, it is possible to keep the nozzle surface of the droplet head free from stains with the wiping device, and thereby manufacturing a highly reliable electro-optical device. 
   Examples of the electro-optical device may include a liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescence (EL) device, an electron-emitting device, a plasma display panel (PDP) device, and an electrophoresis display. Here, the electron-emitting device denotes a concept including a so-called field emission display (FED) and surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED). Examples of other electro-optic devices may include metal wiring forming, lens forming, resist forming, and light diffuser forming devices. A transparent electrode (ITO) forming device included in a liquid crystal display, etc., can also be included. 
   Electronic equipment of another exemplary aspect of the present invention is fitted with the electro-optical device or an electro-optical device manufactured by the method for manufacturing an electro-optical device. 
   In this case, examples of the electronic equipment may include a cellular phone, a personal computer, and various electrical products that are fitted with a so-called flat panel display. 
   As mentioned above, the present invention makes it possible to adjust the amount of a cleaner applied to the wiping sheet to wipe the nozzle surface of the droplet discharge head, and wipe the droplet discharge head with the wiping sheet on which the cleaner is evenly applied, and thereby efficiently wipe the droplet discharge head in an optimum state. 
   Since the droplet discharge unit whose droplet discharge head is kept clean is used in the electro-optical device, the method for manufacturing an electro-optical device, and the electronic equipment according to exemplary aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly reliable and quality electro optical device and electronic equipment. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic showing a lithography device of one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic showing the lithography device of the embodiment; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic illustrating the structure of a head unit of the embodiment; 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic of a functional-liquid droplet discharge head; 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic of a wiping unit of the embodiment; 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic of the wiping unit of the embodiment; 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic of the wiping unit of the exemplary embodiment; 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic illustrating the inner structure of the wiping unit of the exemplary embodiment; 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic of a frame unit of the exemplary embodiment; 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic of a scanning table of the exemplary embodiment; 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic of the wiping unit of the exemplary embodiment; 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic of the wiping unit of the exemplary embodiment; 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic of the wiping unit of the exemplary embodiment; 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  are schematics illustrating the structure of an electrostatic applying unit of the exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 14A  shows a schematic of the electrostatic applying unit, whereas  FIG. 14B  shows a schematic showing the structure of the electrostatic applying unit seen from a cleaner spray head; 
       FIG. 15  is a schematic illustrating a second exemplary embodiment; 
       FIG. 16  is a flowchart illustrating a process for manufacturing a color filter; 
       FIGS. 17A to 17E  are schematics of the color filter shown in order of the manufacturing process; 
       FIG. 18  is a schematic showing the main structure of a liquid crystal device fitted with a color filter to which an exemplary aspect of the present invention is applied; 
       FIG. 19  is a schematic showing the main structure of a liquid crystal device of a second example fitted with a color filter to which an exemplary aspect of the present invention is applied; 
       FIG. 20  is a schematic showing the main structure of a liquid crystal device of a third example fitted with a color filter to which an exemplary aspect of the present invention is applied; 
       FIG. 21  is a schematic showing the main structure of a display that is an organic EL device; 
       FIG. 22  is a flowchart illustrating a process for manufacturing the display that is an organic EL device; 
       FIG. 23  is a schematic illustrating the forming of an inorganic bank layer; 
       FIG. 24  is a schematic illustrating the forming of an organic bank layer; 
       FIG. 25  is a schematic illustrating a process for forming a hole injection/transport layer; 
       FIG. 26  is a schematic illustrating a state in which the hole injection/transport layer has been formed; 
       FIG. 27  is a schematic illustrating a process for forming a blue-light-emitting layer; 
       FIG. 28  is a schematic illustrating a state in which the blue-light-emitting layer has been formed; 
       FIG. 29  is a schematic illustrating a state in which the light-emitting layer of each color has been formed; 
       FIG. 30  is a schematic illustrating the forming of a negative electrode; 
       FIG. 31  is a schematic showing the main structure of a display that is a plasma display (PDP device); 
       FIG. 32  is a schematic showing the main structure of a display that is an electron-emitting device (FED device; and 
       FIG. 33A  is a schematic around an electron-emitting part of a display.  FIG. 33B  is a schematic showing a forming method thereof. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a lithography device  1  includes a machine table  2 , a droplet discharge unit  3 , a functional liquid supply unit  4  and a head maintenance unit  5 . The droplet discharge unit  3  has a droplet discharge head  21 , and is placed on the whole area of the machine table  2 . The functional liquid supply unit  4  is coupled to the droplet discharge unit  3 . The head maintenance unit  5  is placed side by side with the droplet discharge unit  3  on the machine table  2 . In the lithography device  1 , based on the control of a controller provided outside the device of the drawing, the functional liquid supply unit  4  provides the droplet delivery unit  3  with a functional liquid. The droplet delivery unit  3  performs lithography processing for a work W. The head maintenance unit  5  performs maintenance on the droplet discharge head  21  as necessary. 
   The droplet discharge unit  3  includes a moving mechanism  12 , a main carriage  13 , and a head unit  20 . The moving mechanism  12  is composed of an X-axis table  10  that makes the work W scan in the main direction (or move the work W in the X-axis direction), and a Y-axis table  11  that is perpendicular to the X-axis table  10 . The main carriage  13  is movably mounted onto the Y-axis table  11 . The head unit  20  is placed perpendicularly to the main carriage  13  and fitted with the droplet discharge head  21 . 
   The X-axis table  10  includes a motor-driven X-axis slider  14  making up an X-axis direction driving system. The X-axis table  10  also includes a set table  17  composed of an absorption table  15  and a θ table  16 , etc., and is movably mounted upon the X-axis slider  14 . Similarly, the Y-axis table  11  includes a motor-driven Y-axis slider  19  making up a Y-axis direction driving system. The Y-axis table  11  also includes the main carriage  13  that is mounted movably in the Y direction upon the motor-driven Y-axis slider  19  to support the head unit  20 . Here, the X-axis table  10  is arranged in parallel with the X-axis direction, and directly supported on the machine table  2 . Meanwhile, the Y-axis table  11  is supported by a pair of columns  18  standing at each end of the machine table  2 , and extends in the Y-axis direction over the X-axis table  10  and the head maintenance unit  5 . 
   The head unit  20  includes the droplet discharge head  21  provided in plural number (for example twelve) and a head plate  22  on which the droplet discharge head  21  is mounted. The head plate  22  is removably supported by a support frame  23 . The head unit  20  is aligned to the main carriage  13  with the support frame  23  therebetween. On the support frame  23 , a tank unit  51  of the functional liquid supply unit  4  is also supported along with the head unit  20 , which will be described in greater detail later (see  FIG. 3 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , the droplet discharge head  21  includes a nozzle row  34  of two arrays, a functional liquid inlet part  26 , a head substrate  27  of two arrays, and a head body  28 . The functional liquid inlet part  26  has a coupling pin  25  of two arrays. The head substrate  27  is coupled to the functional liquid inlet part  26  and corresponds to the nozzle row  34 . The head body  28  is coupled to the lower part of the functional liquid inlet part  26 . Inside the head body  28 , an in-head channel filled with a functional liquid is provided. The coupling pin  25  is coupled to the functional liquid supply unit not shown in the drawing and provides the in-head channel of the droplet discharge head  21  with a functional liquid. 
   The head body  28  includes a cavity  30  (piezoelectric element) and a nozzle plate  31 . The nozzle plate  31  has a nozzle surface  33  having openings that are a number of (for example one-hundred and eighty) discharge nozzles  32 . When the droplet discharge head  21  is driven for discharge, the head body  28  discharges a functional-liquid droplet from the discharge nozzles  32  by the pumping action of the cavity  30 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the head plate  22  includes a thick square plate of stainless, for example. The head plate  22  is provided with twelve openings (not shown) for aligning twelve droplet discharge heads (each corresponding to the droplet discharge head  21 ) and fixing the heads with a head retaining member. Of the twelve openings, each two openings are grouped. The openings of each group are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle row of the droplet discharge head  21  (in the longitudinal direction of the head plate  22 ) so that they are partially overlapped. Specifically, each two of the twelve droplet discharge heads (each corresponding to the droplet discharge head  21 ) are grouped, and are arranged in a staircase pattern in the direction perpendicular to the nozzle row so that the nozzle row of the droplet discharge head  21  in each group is partially overlapped. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the main carriage  13  includes an I-shaped suspended member  40 , a θ rotating mechanism  41 , and a carriage body  42 . The suspended member  40  is fixed at its lower part on the Y-axis table  11 . The θ rotating mechanism  41  is attached to the lower surface of the suspended member  40  so as to correct the position of the head unit  20  in the θ direction. The carriage body  42  is suspended from the lower part of the θ rotating mechanism  41  so as to support the head unit  20  with the support frame  23  therebetween. The carriage body  42  has a square opening (not shown) for freely fitting the support frame  23 , and an alignment mechanism (not shown) for aligning the support frame  23  and aligning and fixing the head unit  20 . 
   The functional liquid supply unit  4  is mounted on the support frame  23  with the head unit  20 . The functional liquid supply unit  4  includes the tank unit  51 , a plurality of (twelve) functional liquid supply tubes  52  and a plurality of (twelve) coupling parts  53 . The tank unit  51  is composed of a plurality of (twelve) functional liquid tanks  50  to store a functional liquid. The functional liquid supply tubes  52  couple each of the functional liquid tanks  50  to each droplet discharge head  21  with a valve unit  54  composed of a voltage adjustment valve  55  therebetween. The coupling parts  53  couple each of the functional liquid supply tubes  52  to each of the functional liquid tanks  50  and each droplet discharge head  21 . 
   The series operation of the lithography device  1  will now be briefly described. First, prior to lithography processing to discharge a functional liquid to a work, the position of the head unit  20  is corrected, and then the position of the work W set on the absorption table  15  is corrected. Next, the work W is moved back and forth in the main scan direction (in the X-axis direction) with the X-axis table  10 , and the droplet discharge head  21  provided in a plural number is driven to selectively discharge a droplet to the work W. After the work W is moved back, the head unit  20  is moved to the sub scan direction (in the Y-axis direction) with the Y-axis table  11 . Then, the work is moved back and forth again in the main scan direction and the droplet discharge head  21  is driven. 
   While the work W is moved in the main scan direction in the present exemplary embodiment, the head unit  20  may be moved in the main scan direction. Alternatively, the head unit  20  may be moved in the main scan direction (in the X-axis direction) and in the sub scan direction (in the Y-axis direction), while the work W is fixed. 
   Each element of the head maintenance unit  5  will now be described. The head maintenance unit  5  includes a moving table  60 , an absorption unit  70  and a wiping unit (wiping device)  100 . The moving table  60  is mounted upon the machine table  2  and extends in the X-axis direction. The absorption unit  70  is mounted upon the moving table  60  and absorbs a functional liquid from all nozzles of the droplet discharge head. The wiping unit  100  wipes the nozzle surface of the droplet discharge head. When the lithography processing is suspended, the head unit  20  is moved to a maintenance position that is the upper part of the machine table  2 . With this state, the head unit  20  performs maintenance on the droplet discharge head  21  in various ways by selectively placing the absorption unit  70  and the wiping unit  100  directly under the head unit  20 . In addition to the above-mentioned units, a discharge inspection unit to inspect the flying state of a liquid fluid droplet discharged from the droplet discharge head  21 , a weight measurement unit to measure the weight of a liquid fluid droplet discharged from the droplet discharge head  21 , etc., may be mounted upon the head maintenance unit  5 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the absorption unit  70  includes a cap stand  71 , twelve caps  72  corresponding to the arrangement of the droplet discharge head  21 , a single absorption pump (not shown) and an absorption tube (not shown). The caps  72  are supported by the cap stand  71 , and attached firmly to the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21 . The absorption pump is capable of absorbing twelve droplet discharge heads (each corresponding to the droplet discharge head  21 ) through each cap  72 . The absorption tube couples each cap  72  and the absorption pump. Also, the cap stand  71  is provided with a cap lifting mechanism (not shown) to lift and lower each cap  72 , and makes each cap  72  move from and to, the corresponding droplet discharge head  21  included in the head unit  20  that has been moved to a maintenance area. 
   In order to absorb the droplet discharge head  21 , the cap lifting mechanism  75  is driven so as to make the caps  72  adhere closely to the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21 , while the absorption pump  73  is driven. This processing creates suction on the droplet discharge head  21  via the caps  72 . Accordingly, a functional liquid is forced to be absorbed from the droplet discharge head  21 . Here, the functional liquid is absorbed to eliminate or prevent the clogging of the droplet discharge head  21  and to fill a functional liquid channel from the functional liquid tank  50  to the droplet discharge head  21  with a functional liquid when the lithography device  1  is initially set or the droplet discharge head  21  is replaced. 
   Note that the caps  72  have the function of a flushing box that receives a functional liquid discharged by the flushing of the droplet discharge head  21 , and receive the functional liquid at periodical flushing for temporarily suspending the lithography processing for the work W in replacing the work W, for example. For the flushing, the cap lifting mechanism  75  is moved to a position so that the upper surface of the caps  72  is slightly separated from the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21 . 
   The absorption unit  70  is also used to store the droplet discharge head  21  while the lithography device  1  does not operate. In this case, the head unit  20  is moved to the maintenance area  80 , and the caps  72  are firmly attached to the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21 . Accordingly, the nozzle surface  33  is sealed, and thereby reducing the likelihood or preventing the absorption nozzle  32  from clogging by reducing or preventing the drying of the droplet discharge head  21  (the absorption nozzle  32 ). 
   The wiping unit  100  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 9  wipes the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21  that has been soiled by the suction of the functional fluid of the droplet discharge head  21 . This is done by extracting a wiping sheet  101  with a stain of the functional fluid being firmly attached to the nozzle surface  33 . This way the stain stuck to the nozzle surface  33  is eliminated. Note that the front, back, right and left directions in  FIG. 5  are referred to as the forward, back, right and left directions of the wiping unit  100 , respectively, for convenience of explanation. 
   The wiping unit  100  includes a sheet feeder mechanism  102 , a wiper part  103 , a cleaner spray unit  104 , an electrostatic applying unit  200 , and a unit flame  105 . The sheet feeder mechanism  102  extracts and rolls up the wiping sheet  101 . The wiper part  103  makes the extracted wiping sheet  101  contact with the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21  so as to wipe it. The cleaner spray unit  104  sprays and applies a cleaner including a functional liquid solvent to the wiping sheet  101  before it wipes the nozzle surface  33 . The electrostatic applying unit  200  makes the cleaner electrically charged and actively prevents it from getting dispersed and adhering to peripheral units. The unit flame  105  supports the above-mentioned major members of the wiping unit  100 . Outside the wiping unit  100 , a cleaner supply unit (not shown) that provides the cleaner spray unit  104  with a cleaner and an air supply unit (not shown) that provides the cleaner spray unit  104  and the wiper part  103  with compressed air are provided side by side, whose operations are controlled by a controller. 
   Each element of the wiping unit  100  will now be described in greater detail. 
   The unit frame  105  includes a base frame  110  placed on the moving table  60  of the lithography device  1 , and a pair of side frames  111  standing at each end of the base frame  110 . The unit frame  105  also includes a cleaner dispersion prevention cover  112  and a safety cover  113 . The cleaner dispersion prevention cover  112  covers the periphery of the sheet feeder mechanism  102  so as to prevent the cleaner from getting dispersed. The safety cover  113  covers the periphery of the sheet feeder mechanism  102  and the cleaner spray unit  104 . 
   Each side of the pair of side frames  111  has five air outlets  120 , so that air containing the cleaner inside the unit frame  105  will be discharged to an exhaust processing unit (not shown) outside the wiping unit  100  via an exhaust tube coupled to the air outlets  120  by spraying the cleaner. 
   The cleaner dispersion prevention cover  112  is a plate frame fixed to bridge over the left and right side frames  111  in order to reduce or prevent the cleaner sprayed by a cleaner spray head  161  being dispersed from the opening between the both side frames  111  and attaching to peripheral units outside the wiping unit  100 . The cleaner dispersion prevention cover  112  includes an upper cover  123 , a back cover  124 , an inside cover  121 , and a bottom cover  122 . The upper cover  123  covers the upper opening between the side frames  111 . The back cover  124  covers the back opening between the side frames  111 . The inside cover  121  is inclined to and extends inside the wiping unit so as to cover the wiper part  103  and the fed wiping sheet. The bottom cover  122  is provided to cover a back area below the inside cover  121 , and has a function as a cleaner pan. 
   While the electrostatic applying unit  200  reduces or prevents the cleaner from getting dispersed in the present exemplary embodiment, the cleaner dispersion prevention cover  112  is also provided to make sure peripheral units are protected, which will be described in greater detail later. 
   The safety cover  113  reduces the likelihood or prevents the cleaner spray unit  104  and the sheet feeder mechanism  102  performing mechanical operations that the wiping process involves from rolling up something other than specified members. The safety cover  113  includes a box-like unit safety cover  125  and a mechanism safety cover  126 . The unit safety cover  125  is placed on the upper front part of the side frames  111  so as to thoroughly cover the cleaner spray unit  104 . The mechanism safety cover  126  is placed on the front side surface of the side frames  111  so as to cover the sheet feeder mechanism. The mechanism safety cover  126  is a plate frame that is roughly square, and is rotatably supported by a pair of hinges  127 , provided below, at the front side surface of the unit frame  105 . With the mechanism safety cover  126 , the front opening of the side frames  111  can be opened and closed. The mechanism safety cover  126  remains closed with a pair of magnet catchers  128  provided on the upper front side of the side frames  111 . As mentioned above, the unit frame  105  including the cleaner dispersion prevention cover  112  and the safety cover  113  forms the box-like frame to prevent the cleaner sprayed inside the unit frame  105  from getting dispersed and adhering to peripheral units. 
   The sheet feeder mechanism  102  extracts the wiping sheet  101  that wipes the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21  to the wiper part  103 , and also rolls up the wiping sheet  101  after the wiping. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , the sheet feeder mechanism  102  is provided from the front part to the upper back side of the inside of the unit frame  105 . The sheet feeder mechanism  102  includes on the front part an extraction reel  130  and a roll-up reel  131  whose axes are rotatably and removably supported by the pair of side frames  111  standing at each end. The extraction reel  130  supplies the wiping sheet  101 . The roll-up reel  131  is provided below the extraction reel  130  to roll up and remove the wiping sheet. Provided at the end of the axis of the extraction reel  130  is a torque limiter  132  that brakes the rotation of the reel and rotates at a fixed torque. The roll-up reel  131  is coupled to a roll-up motor  133  that rotates it through a timing belt  133 . 
   Provided from the front part to the upper back side of the unit frame  105  are a velocity detection roller  134 , a first guide roller  135  and a second guide roller  136 . The velocity detection roller  134  detects the feed velocity of the wiping sheet  101 . The first guide roller  135  and the second guide roller  136  prevent the wiping sheet  101  from interfering with the velocity detection roller  134  and the bottom cover  122  and guide the wiping sheet  101 . In addition, a sheet feed channel of the wiping sheet  101  is provided to make the wiping sheet  101  go around these plural axes. 
   The wiping sheet  101 , supplied by the extraction reel  130 , is fed to the wiper part  103  via the velocity detection roller  134 . After going around the wiper part  103  and wiping the nozzle surface of the droplet discharge head  21 , the wiping sheet  101  is rolled up by the roll-up reel  131  via the first guide roller  135  and the second guide roller  136  provided below the velocity detection roller  134 . 
   The timing belt  137  bridges over the roll-up reel  131  and the roll-up motor  133 . The roll-up reel  131  rotates when the roll-up motor  133  is driven, and thereby rolling up the wiping sheet  101 . The velocity of the roll-up motor  133  is controlled based on detection results of a velocity detector  138  provided at the end of the axis of the velocity detection roller  134 , which will be described later. 
   A roll of the wiping sheet  101  is inserted in the extraction reel  130 . When the roll-up reel  131  rolls up the wiping sheet  101 , the wiping sheet  101  is newly extracted from the extraction reel  130 . Accordingly, the wiping sheet  101  is extracted. Also, the torque limiter  132  provided with the extraction reel  130  rotates to brake against the roll-up motor  133  rolling up the sheet, and constantly applies a fixed tension on the sheet, and thereby reducing the likelihood or preventing the wiping sheet  101  from getting loose. 
   The roll-up reel and the extraction reel  130  are supported by the side frames  111  at the end of their axes. A roll-up reel holder  139  and an extraction reel holder  140  are removably provided at the left end of their axes with the side frames  111  therebetween. When the wiping sheet  101  is replaced in the extraction reel  130  and the wiping sheet  101  that has been rolled up by the roll-up reel  131  is removed from the device, the roll-up reel holder  139  and the extraction reel holder  140  are removed from the end of the axes so as to remove the reels  139  and  140  from the wiping unit  100 . 
   The velocity detection roller  134  is a grip roller including two rollers (upper and lower rollers) that freely rotate. With the velocity detector  138  provided to one roller, the velocity detection roller  134  detects the feed velocity of the wiping sheet  101 . In addition, a sheet detector  141  using an optical-reflective photo sensor is placed in the sheet feed channel between the extraction reel  130  and the velocity detection roller  134 . The sheet detector  141  detects the presence of the wiping sheet  101  in a facing area and detects the end of the sheets passing through. Detection results are output to a controller  6 , and used to control the operation of the wiping unit  100 . 
   The wiper part  103  wipes the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21  with the wiping sheet  101  extracted by the sheet feeder mechanism  102 . The wiper part  103  includes a pair of bearing frames  151 , a pressure roller  152 , and a pressure roller lift  150 . The bearing frames  151  are slidably provided in the upper and lower directions outside the upper side of the side frames  111 . The pressure roller  152  is rotatably supported by the bearing frame  151 . The wiping sheet  101  goes around the pressure roller  152 . The pressure roller lift  150  is fixed to the side frames  111 , and lifts and lowers the pressure roller  152  through the bearing frames  151 . 
   The pressure roller  152  is of an axial length corresponding to the width of the wiping sheet  101 . The pressure roller  152  including an elastic roller whose axis part is surrounded by an elastic body, such as rubber, so as not to damage the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21  during the wiping. 
   The pressure roller lift  150  includes a pair of sub frames  155  and a pair of pressure roller lift cylinders  156 . The sub frames  155  are fixed to the upper part of the outer side of the pair of side frames  111 . The pressure roller lift cylinders  156  are fixed upward to each of the sub frames  155 . The pressure roller lift cylinders  156  are air-driven cylinders moving back. At the end of their piston rods  157 , the bearing frame  151  is coupled. Therefore, when the pair of pressure roller lift cylinders  156  are driven at the same time, the wiping sheet  101  going around the pressure roller  152  is lifted to come in contact with the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21 . 
   The sub frames  155  have an L-shaped cross section. At the upper surface of their bottoms, the frame of the pressure roller lift cylinders  156  is fixed. On the inner side of the sub frames  155 , a pair of guide parts  158  are provided that are engaged to the bearing frame  151  and guide the lifting and lowering of the bearing frame (see  FIG. 5 ). 
   The pressure roller lift  150  includes a lifting end limit member  159  and a lowering end limit member  160  that limit the range in which the bearing frame  151  is lifted and lowered. The lifting end limit member  159  is fixed to the side frames  111  at the upper part of a position in which the bearing frame  151  is provided. As the bearing frame  151  being lifted comes in contact with the lifting end limit member  159 , the lifting end limit member  159  limits the lifting end of the pressure roller  152 . Here, the surface of the wiping sheet  101  going around the pressure roller  152  contacting with the droplet discharge head  21  is set to be lifted slightly higher than the nozzle surface of the droplet discharge head  21 . The lowering end limit member  160  is fixed to the side frames  111  at the lower part of the pressure roller lift  150 . As the bearing frame  151  being lowered comes in contact with the lowering end limit member  160 , the lowering end limit member  160  limits the lowering end of the pressure roller  152 . 
   As mentioned above, the bearing frame  151  that supports the pressure roller  152  is liftably fitted to the side frames  111 . The pressure roller  152  is lifted up to the lifting end when an air supply unit (not shown) outside the wiping unit  100  provides the pressure roller lift cylinders  156  with compressed air. Accordingly, the wiping sheet  101  comes in contact with the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21 , and together with the feeding of the wiping sheet  101 , the wiping of the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21  is performed. After the wiping of the nozzle surface  33  is completed, air is provided to the pressure roller lift cylinder  156  for moving back. Thus the pressure roller  152  is lowered down to the lowering end, and thereby the wiping sheet  101  is separated from the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 13 , the cleaner spray unit  104  includes a cleaner spray head  161 , a scanning table (head scanning mechanism)  162 , a CABLE BEAR (trademark)  163 , and a scanning table support frame  164 . The cleaner spray head  161  sprays and applies a cleaner onto the wiping sheet  101 . The scanning table  162  makes the cleaner spray head  161  scan in the horizontal direction. The CABLE BEAR  163  supports a cleaner supply tube and an air supply tube coupled to the cleaner spray head  161 . The scanning table support frame  164  supports the scanning table  162  and the CABLE BEAR  163 . The cleaner spray unit  104  is provided to the wiping unit  100 , bridging over the upper front part of the side frames  111 . 
   The scanning table support frame  164  includes a scanning table main frame  165  and a scanning table sub frame  166 . The scanning table  162  is mounted on the scanning table main frame  165 , while the CABLE BEAR  163  is mounted on the scanning table sub frame  166 . The scanning table main frame  165  and the scanning table sub frame  166  extend in parallel with each other. The scanning table main frame  165  is supported so as to bridge over the side frames  111 . The scanning table sub frame  166  is supported so as to be provided in front of the scanning table main frame  165  and project forward from the side frames  111 . 
   The unit safety cover  125  that covers the cleaner spray unit  104  is provided using the scanning table main frame  165  and the scanning table sub frame  166  as bottom plates. Specifically, the cleaner spray unit  104  is housed in a spray part box  168  composed of the unit safety cover  125  including the upper, front, and both side plates; the scanning table support frame  164  serving as a bottom plate; and a back plate  167 . A gap between the unit safety cover  125  and the back plate  167  is a slit opening  169  to which a head carrier  172 , which will be described in greater detail later, is moved. 
   The scanning table  162  includes an air-driven slider mechanism  170 , a slide guide  171 , the head carrier  172 , and a head position adjustment mechanism  173 . The slider mechanism  170  makes the cleaner spray head  161  move back and forth (scan) in the horizontal direction in accordance with the width of the wiping sheet  101 . The slide guide  171  is provided in parallel with the slider mechanism  170  and guides the sliding (moving back and forth) of the slider mechanism  170 . The head carrier  172  supports the cleaner spray head  161  at its tip end, and is supported by the slider mechanism  170  at its base end. The head position adjustment mechanism  173  is provided between the head carrier  172  and the cleaner spray head  161 . 
   The slider mechanism  170  includes a rodless cylinder  174  fitted with a velocity controller, and a slide block  175  that moves back and forth in the horizontal direction (in the Y-axis direction) by the rodless cylinder  174 . The rodless cylinder  174  includes a cylinder tube  176  extending in the horizontal direction, and a slider  177  sliding along the cylinder tube  176 . On the upper surface of the slider  177 , the slide block  175  that slides by being guided by the slide guide  171  is fixed. 
   Provided on the scanning table sub frame  166  is a pair of flow regulating valves  178  that act as velocity controllers of the rodless cylinder  174 . Of the pair of flow regulating valves  178 , the flow regulating valve  178  for moving forward is coupled to a right end  180  of the cylinder tube  176 , and the flow regulating valve  178  for moving back is coupled to a left end  181  of the cylinder tube  176 . In addition, an air tube for moving forward (not shown) and an air tube for moving back (not shown), both coupled to the pair of flow regulating valves  178 , are individually coupled to the air supply unit. In this case, the pair of flow regulating valves  178  (velocity controllers) are capable of regulating the velocity of the slider  177  moving back and forth separately. The velocity of moving forward at which the cleaner spray head  161  sprays a cleaner is regulated based on the amount of the cleaner required to be applied to the wiping sheet  101 . 
   The head carrier  172  includes a spacer  182  and a carrier arm  183 . The spacer  182  contacts with the right end of the slide block  175 . The carrier arm  183  is fixed to the right end of the slide block  175  with the spacer  182  therebetween. The tip end of the carrier arm  183  passes through the slit opening  168  and extends backward so as to face the wiping sheet  101  placed in the sheet feed channel between the velocity detection roller  134  and the pressure roller  152  (see  FIG. 8 ). 
   The head position adjustment mechanism  173  includes a spray angle adjustment mechanism  184  and a spray position adjustment mechanism  185 . The spray angle adjustment mechanism  184  adjusts the spray angle of the cleaner spray head  161  to the wiping sheet  101 . The spray position adjustment mechanism  185  adjusts the space between the wiping sheet  101  and the cleaner spray head  161  and also adjusts the spray position in the direction of sheet feeding. 
   The spray angle adjustment mechanism  184  includes a short circular shaft  186  and an angle adjustment arm  187 . The circular shaft  186  is fixed to the tip end of the carrier arm  183 . The angle adjustment arm  187  is coupled to the circular shaft  186  at its base end, and supports the cleaner spray head  161  at its tip end. The base end of the angle adjustment arm  187  has a circular inner circumference surface that is complementary to the outer circumference surface of the circular shaft, and a split slit  188  provided in a row in the circular inner circumference. A clamping screw is threadably mounted in the direction perpendicular to the split slit  188 . Here, the angle of the angle adjustment arm  187  to the circular shaft  186  can be changed by loosing the clamping screw. After the angle is changed, the base end of the angle adjustment arm  187  is fixed, with clamping the circular shaft  186  clamped, by tightening the clamping screw. Accordingly, the spray angle of the cleaner spray head  161  to the wiping sheet  101  is adjusted. 
   The spray position adjustment mechanism  185  includes a head support arm  189  and a coupling block  190 . The head support arm  189  directly supports the cleaner spray head  161 . The coupling block  190  couples the head support arm  189  and the angle adjustment arm  187 . The angle adjustment arm  187  is provided with a pair of long holes  193  extending in its extending direction. The coupling block  190  can be fixed at any position of the angle adjustment arm  187  in its extending direction by a pair of fixing screws that are threadably mounted to the coupling block  190  via the long holes  193 . Specifically, the space between the cleaner spray head  161  and the wiping sheet  101  with the coupling block therebetween can be adjusted by loosening the pair of fixing screws. 
   In the same manner, the head support arm  189  is provided with a pair of long holes  194  extending in its extending direction at its base end half. The coupling block can be fixed at any position of the angle adjustment arm  187  in its extending direction by a pair of fixing screws that are threadably mounted to the coupling block  190  via the long holes  194 . Specifically, the space between the cleaner spray head  161  and the wiping sheet  101  with the head support arm  189  therebetween in the sheet feeding direction can be adjusted by loosening the pair of fixing screws. At the tip end of the head support arm  189 , the cleaner spray head  161  is supported. In addition, a charged electrode  203  is supported by the head support arm  189  with an insulating member  205  therebetween, which will be described in greater detail later. 
   As mentioned above, the cleaner is sprayed and applied with a desired position and angle to the wiping sheet  101  placed in the sheet feed channel between the velocity detection roller  134  and the pressure roller  152  by the spray angle adjustment mechanism  184  and the spray position adjustment mechanism  185 . 
   The cleaner spray head  161  includes a spray nozzle  191  to spray the cleaner, and a nozzle holder  192  to retain and fix the spray nozzle  191  to the head support arm  189 . The spray nozzle  191  is fitted with an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the spray amount of the cleaner by a knob operation. The spray nozzle  191  sprays the cleaner in an elliptical (oval) area. The long radius of the spray area is in the direction of feeding of the wiping sheet  101 . By scanning the area in the width direction of the sheet, the cleaner is applied evenly on the wiping sheet  101  from a near-end area in the width direction. Note than the spray nozzle  191  may spray the cleaner in a circular area. 
   While the cleaner spray head  161  including the spray nozzle  191  is fixed in the direction perpendicular to the wiping sheet  101  in the present exemplary embodiment, the cleaner spray head  161  may be tilted to the wiping sheet  101 . 
   In the present exemplary embodiment, a liquid crystal material of a liquid crystal display is used as the functional liquid, ultraviolet curing and thermosetting resin as a spacer material, and polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) as a light-emitting material of an organic electroluminescent device or hole-transport-layer material. 
   As the cleaner, volatile solvents, such as xylene and ethanol, are used depending on types of functional liquids. 
   The wiping sheet  101  is made of a wiper material (cloth material) of 100% polyester or 100% polypropylene, which are comparatively hard to solve with solvents used as the cleaner. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 14A  and B, the electrostatic applying unit  200  includes a charged part  201  and a sheet static elimination part  202 . The charged part  201  absorbs the spray of the cleaner on the wiping sheet. The sheet static elimination part  202  eliminates static charges from the wiping sheet  101 . 
   The charged part  201  includes the charged electrode  203 , an absorption electrode  204 , and a power unit  206  (see  FIGS. 8 and 14A  and B). The charged electrode  203  is provided on the front surface of the sheet, while the absorption electrode  204  is provided on the back surface of the wiping sheet  101 , opposite to the charged electrode  203 . The power unit  206  supplies voltage to the electrodes. 
   The charged electrode  203  is a roughly ring-shaped electrode. The charged electrode  203  is supported by the head support arm  189  of the scanning table  162  with the insulating member  205  therebetween, so as to follow the horizontal scanning (in the Y-axis direction) of the cleaner spray head  161 . The charged electrode  203  is also placed face to face with the front surface side of the wiping sheet  101  with the direction of the ring central axis of the charged electrode  203  aligned to the spraying direction of the cleaner spray head  161 . Furthermore, the charged electrode  203  is provided with electric charges by the power unit  206  to be constantly charged while spraying the cleaner. Therefore, the cleaner for spray scanning sprayed by the cleaner spray head  161  is constantly charged after passing through the ring-shaped charged electrode  203  provided in the spraying direction. 
   While the shape of the charged electrode  203  is roughly a ring in the present exemplary embodiment, this is not intended to limit the shape of the charged electrode  203  according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention. Any shape will do, such as an integral unit of the charged electrode  203  and the spray nozzle  191 , as long as it makes the cleaner get charged. 
   The absorption electrode  204  is a sheet-like electrode provided on the back surface side of the sheet, slightly inside of the both ends in the width direction of the wiping sheet  101 . The absorption electrode  204  is provided slightly apart from the wiping sheet  101  in parallel with the sheet. The power unit  206  applies reverse voltage, which is opposite to the voltage applied to the charged electrode  203 , to the absorption electrode  204 . The structure of the absorption electrode  204 , which is provided inside of the both ends in the width direction of the wiping sheet  101 , reduces the likelihood or prevents the sprayed cleaner from getting behind the wiping sheet  101  and adhering to the absorption electrode  204  or the back surface of the wiping sheet  101 . 
   While the absorption electrode  204  is a square, sheet-like electrode in the present exemplary embodiment, this is not intended to limit the shape of the absorption electrode  204  and any shape will do depending on the shape of an area required to be applied. The absorption electrode  204  may contact with the back surface of the wiping sheet  101 , as long as the absorption electrode  204  is placed on the back surface side of the wiping sheet  101 . 
   The power unit  206  is a direct-current voltage stabilized power unit that is provided outside the wiping unit  100 . Through a conductive cable, the positive output terminal of the power unit  206  is coupled to the charged electrode  203 , while the negative output terminal of the power unit  206  is coupled to the absorption electrode  204 . While a voltage of  400  volts is supplied to the both electrodes  203  and  204  of the present exemplary embodiment, the supplied voltage may be adjusted in accordance with the required suction of the cleaner. 
   The sheet static elimination part  202  is provided on the course of the sheet that is downstream of the charged electrode  203  of the wiping unit  101  and upstream of the droplet discharge head  21  so as to contact with the back surface of the wiping sheet  101 . The sheet static elimination part  202  includes a conductive static elimination brush  207  to eliminate static charges, a conductive cable  208  to ground the static elimination brush  207 , and a sheet static elimination block  209  provided to the unit frame  105  and supporting the brush and cable. Eliminating static charges from the wiping sheet  101  can reduce the likelihood or prevent a circuit included in the droplet discharge head  21  from being damaged by static charges, etc., when the wiping sheet  101  wipes the droplet discharge head  21 . While the sheet static elimination part  202  of the present exemplary embodiment uses the static elimination brush  207 , it may use an ionizer or the like instead. 
   The operation of the wiping unit  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment that sprays the cleaner and wipes the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21  will now be described. 
   After the absorption unit  70  of the droplet discharge head  21  finishes absorbing the cleaner, the moving table  60  (X-axis moving table) is operated to move the wiping unit  100  forth to a position directly below the droplet discharge head  21  of the head unit  20  placed in the maintenance area  80 , passing through a position corresponding to the head unit  20  and moving the pressure roller  152  to rearward of the position. 
   Subsequently, while the feeding of the wiping sheet  101  is suspended, the cleaner spray unit  104  is operated to start spraying the cleaner. Specifically, while the cleaner spray head  161  sprays the cleaner, the scanning table  162  is moved back and forth at a fixed rate to scan in the width direction of the wiping sheet  101  (in the Y-axis direction). The cleaner spray head  161  stops spraying the cleaner at the same time as it finishes moving forward. 
   After the cleaner is applied, the pressure roller lift cylinders  156  are operated to lift the pressure roller  152  to a predetermined lifting end. At the same time, the roll-up motor  133  is driven to start feeding the wiping sheet  101 . In sync with this, the moving table  60  is driven to move the entire wiping unit  100  forward (in the X-axis direction). Specifically, while the wiping sheet  101  is fed to the feeding direction (rearward of the droplet discharge head  21 ), the wiping unit  100  is moved forward, and thereby the velocity of the wiping sheet  101  to the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21  increases. 
   Subsequently, at the timing that the applied area of the wiping sheet  101  reaches the position of the pressure roller  152 , the nozzle surface  33  of the head unit  20  comes in contact with the wiping sheet  101 . Thus the nozzle surface  33  is sequentially wiped from the one on the rearmost of the head unit  20  (twelve droplet discharge heads, each corresponding to the droplet discharge head  21 ) to the one on the front. Specifically, since a plurality of nozzle surfaces (each corresponding to the nozzle surface  33 ) of the head unit  20  sequentially come in contact with the wiping sheet  101  that is extracted, all the nozzle surfaces of the droplet discharge head  21  are wiped by the applied area of the wiping sheet  101 . The feeding of the wiping sheet  101  may be suspended while the pressure roller  152  moves from one nozzle surface  33  to the neighboring nozzle surface  33 , and the feeding of the wiping sheet  101  is resumed slightly before the corresponding nozzle row  34  reaches the position of the pressure roller  152 . Thus it is possible to efficiently use the wiping sheet  101 . 
   Here, the velocities of feeding the wiping sheet  101  and moving the droplet discharge head  21  are desirably set depending on the types of the functional liquid and cleaner. When a required wiping area is longer in the direction of sheet feeding than the spray area of the spray nozzle  191 , the cleaner may be sprayed and applied to the wiping sheet  101  by repeatedly moving the cleaner spray head  161  back and forth for spraying. 
   After the wiping of the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21  is completed, the driving for the moving table  60  and the roll-up motor  133  is stopped, and thereby stopping the feeding of the wiping sheet  101  facing with the droplet discharge head  21 . Then, the pressure roller lift cylinder  156  for moving back is provided with compressed air, and thereby lowering the wiper part  103  and separating the wiping sheet  101  from the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21 . 
   The operation of the wiping unit  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment that sprays and applies the cleaner and its effect to prevent the cleaner from getting dispersed will now be described. 
     FIG. 14A  is a schematic showing the electrostatic applying unit of the present exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 14B  is a schematic showing the electrostatic applying unit seen from the cleaner spray head. 
   The cleaner sprayed by the cleaner spray head  161  is positively charged by passing through the inside of the ring-shaped charged electrode  203 . While the charged cleaner is absorbed toward the absorption electrode  204  that is negatively charged, the cleaner hits and adheres to the wiping sheet  101  placed just before the absorption electrode  204 . Here, part of the cleaner hitting the wiping sheet  101  is reflected by the wiping sheet  101  and gets dispersed without being applied on the wiping sheet  101 . 
   Even if the cleaner gets dispersed, it is continuously absorbed toward the absorption electrode  204 , since the cleaner itself is charged. Therefore, the cleaner adheres to an area of the wiping sheet  101  that faces the absorption electrode  204 . Accordingly, the cleaner is prevented from adhering to peripheral units. 
   Subsequently, the cleaner adhering to the wiping sheet  101  remains charged and reaches the sheet static elimination part  202 , and is neutralized by the static elimination brush  207  coming in contact with the back surface of the sheet. Furthermore, the wiping sheet  101  is fed so as to wipe the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21 . 
   The wiping unit  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment can efficiently reduce or prevent the cleaner from getting dispersed and adhering to peripheral units, and also reduce unnecessary consumption of the cleaner since the sprayed cleaner surely adheres to the wiping sheet  101 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 15 , the absorption electrode  204  may include a plurality of split absorption electrodes  210 . Among the split absorption electrodes  210 , electrodes to be charged can be desirably selected. In this case, the charged part  201  of the electrostatic applying unit  200  includes the charged electrode  203 , the plurality of split absorption electrodes  210  provided to the back surface of the wiping sheet  101 , and the power unit  206  that selectively applies voltage to each of the split absorption electrodes  210 . Each of the split absorption electrodes  210  is a rectangular, strip-shaped electrode. Its longer side is in the feeding direction of the wiping sheet  101 . The plurality of split absorption electrodes  210  are provided side by side in the width direction of the sheet, corresponding to the position of the droplet discharge head  21 . The power unit  206  provides each split absorption electrode  210  individually with voltage. The voltage to be supplied can be individually selected for each split absorption electrode  210  by the control of a controller. Accordingly, a plurality of head units (each corresponding to the head unit  20 ) with the different arrangement of the droplet discharge head  21  are replaceable. If the cleaner is required to be applied in an area corresponding to the position of the nozzle of each head unit  20 , it can be easily achieved by selecting any of the plurality of the split absorption electrodes  210  that have been arranged in advance. 
   In order to selectively wipe the droplet discharge head  21  with a stain, any of the plurality of the split absorption electrodes  210  is selected so as to have an applied area corresponding only to the droplet discharge head  21  required to be wiped. The pressure roller  152  is lifted up to the lifting end just before the nozzle surface  33  of the droplet discharge head  21  including the spray nozzle  191  required to be wiped reaches the position of the pressure roller  152 , and the pressure roller  152  is lowered down to the lowering end after the wiping of the nozzle surface  33  required to be wiped is completed. This way it is possible to prevent the cleaner from getting dispersed by applying electric charges to the cleaner, and also reduce the spray amount of the cleaner and thus further reduce the amount of the cleaner getting dispersed, since the cleaner is sprayed only to a required split absorption electrode among the plurality of split absorption electrodes  210 . 
   The structure and a method for manufacturing an electro-optical device (flat panel display) manufactured by using the droplet discharge unit  3  of the present exemplary embodiment will now be described, by taking a color filter, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL device, a plasma display (PDP device), an electron-emitting device (an FED device and an SED device), and an active matrix substrate provided with these displays as examples. The active matrix substrate is referred to as a substrate on which a thin-film transistor, and a source line and a data line electrically coupled to the thin-film transistor are formed. 
   A method for manufacturing a color filter incorporated into a liquid crystal display, an organic EL device or the like will now be described.  FIG. 16  is a flowchart showing steps for manufacturing the color filter.  FIGS. 17A–E  are schematics of a color filter  500  (a filter base body  500 A) of the present exemplary embodiment shown in the order of the manufacturing steps. 
   Referring to  FIG. 17A , a black matrix  502  is formed on a substrate (W)  501  in a step to form a black matrix (S 101 ). The black matrix  502  is made of chromium metal, a multi-layered body of chromium metal and chromium oxide, resin black or the like. Sputtering, vapor deposition or other methods can be used to make the black matrix  502  of a thin metal film. Alternatively, gravure printing, photoresist, thermal transfer or other methods can be used to make the black matrix  502  of a thin resin film. 
   Subsequently, a bank  503  is formed, overlapping on the black matrix  502 , in a step to form a bank (S 102 ). Specifically, a resist layer  504  made of a negative transparent photosensitive resin is formed to cover the substrate  501  and the black matrix  502  as shown in  FIG. 17B . Then, exposure treatment is performed with the upper surface of the resist layer  504  coated by a mask film  505  formed in a matrix pattern. 
   Subsequently, the unexposed part of the resist layer  504  is etched so as to pattern the resist layer  504 , which forms the bank  503  as shown in  FIG. 17C . If the black matrix is made of resin black, the black matrix may also serve as the bank. 
   The bank  503  and the black matrix  502  under the bank  503  serve as a partition wall  507   b  partitioning each pixel area  507   a , and define an area in which a functional-liquid droplet is landed in a later step to form color layers (film-forming parts)  508 R,  508 G,  508 B by the droplet discharge head  21 . 
   The filter base body  500 A is thus completed by the steps to form a black matrix and to form a bank. 
   According to the present exemplary embodiment, a resin material with a lyophobic (hydrophobic) applied surface is used as the material of the bank  503 . Since the surface of the substrate (glass substrate)  501  is lyophilic (hydrophilic), the precision of the position of the droplet landing in each pixel area  507   a  surrounded by the bank  503  (partition wall  507   b ) increases in a later step to form color layers, which will be described later. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 17D , a functional-liquid droplet is discharged by the droplet discharge head  21  and landed in each pixel area  507   a  surrounded by the partition wall  507   b  in a step to form color layers (S 103 ). In this case, the functional liquid (filter material) of three colors, R, G, B, are injected and its droplet is discharged with the droplet discharge head  21 . The three colors, R, G, B, can be arranged in stripe, mosaic, delta, and other patterns. 
   By drying treatment, such as heating, to fix the functional liquid, the three color layers  508 R,  508 G,  508 B are completed. Forming of the color layers  508 R,  508 G,  508 B is followed by a step to form a protective film (S 104 ). Referring to  FIG. 17E , a protective film  509  is formed to cover the substrate  501 , the partition wall  507   b , and the upper surface of the color layers  508 R,  508 G,  508 B. 
   Specifically, an application liquid to form the protective film is discharged on the entire surface of the substrate  501  on which the color layers  508 R,  508 G,  508 B are formed. Then, the protective film  509  is completed by drying treatment. 
   Forming of the protective film  509  is followed by forming a film of indium tin oxide (ITO) or the like to be made into a transparent electrode included in the color filter  500 . 
   FIG. schematic showing the main structure of a passive-matrix liquid crystal device (liquid crystal device) as an example of a liquid crystal display fitted with the color filter  500 . By fitting a liquid crystal device  520  with accessory elements, such as a liquid-crystal driving IC, a backlight and a support body, a transmissive liquid crystal display is completed as an end product. As for the color filter  500 , which is the same as the one shown in  FIG. 17A–E , like numerals indicate like parts in the drawings and their description is omitted here. 
   The liquid crystal device  520  is substantially composed of the color filter  500 , an opposing substrate  521  made of a glass substrate or the like, and a liquid crystal layer  522  made of a super twisted nematic (STN) liquid crystal composition held between the filter and the substrate. The color filter  500  is placed on the upper side of the drawing (on the observer side). 
   Here, one each polarizing plate (not shown) is provided outside the opposing substrate  521  and the color filter  500  (on the side opposite to the liquid crystal layer  522 ). A backlight is provided outside the polarizing plate provided on the opposing substrate  521  side. 
   On the protective film  509  (on the liquid crystal layer side) of the color filter  500 , a plurality of long, strip-shaped first electrodes  523  in the horizontal direction of  FIG. 18  are provided at predetermined intervals. A first orientation film  524  is formed to cover the surface of the first electrodes  523  on the side opposite to the color filter  500 . 
   Provided on the opposing substrate  521  on the side opposite to the color filter  500  are a plurality of long, strip-shaped second electrodes  526  that are perpendicular to the first electrodes  523 , provided on the color filter  500 , at predetermined intervals. A second orientation film  527  is formed to cover the surface of the second electrodes  526  on the liquid crystal layer  522  side. The first electrodes  523  and the second electrodes  526  are made of a transparent conductive material, such as ITO. 
   A spacer  528  provided in the liquid crystal layer  522  is a member that keeps the thickness (cell gap) of the liquid crystal layer  522  constant. A seal material  529  is a member that prevents the liquid crystal composition contained in the liquid crystal layer  522  from leaking out. An end part of the first electrodes  523  extends outside of the seal material  529  as a wiring  523   a  to be laid out. 
   A pixel is a part where the first electrodes  523  and the second electrodes  526  intersect. Provided in the pixel are the color layers  508 R,  508 G,  508 B of the color filter  500 . 
   In a normal manufacturing process, the patterning of the first electrodes  523  and the application of the first orientation film  524  form the structure on the color filter  500  side, while the patterning of the second electrodes  526  and the application of the second orientation film  527  form the structure on the opposing substrate  521  side. Subsequently, the spacer  528  and the seal material  529  are provided on the opposing substrate  521  side, to which the structure on the color filter  500  side is joined. Then, liquid crystal composing the liquid crystal layer  522  is injected from an injection opening of the seal material  529 , and the injection opening is closed thereafter. Then, the both polarizing plates and the backlight are stacked. 
   The droplet discharge unit  3  of the present exemplary embodiment can not only apply a spacer material (functional liquid) forming the cell gap, for example, but also evenly apply liquid crystal (functional liquid) to the area surrounded by the seal material  529  before joining the structure on the color filter  500  side to the structure on the opposing substrate  521  side. Furthermore, the seal material  529  can be printed with the droplet discharge head  21 . In addition, the first orientation film  524  and the second orientation film  527  can also be applied with the droplet discharge head  21 . 
     FIG. 19  is a schematic showing the main structure of a second example of a liquid crystal device using the color filter  500  according to the present exemplary embodiment. What differs a liquid crystal device  530  from the liquid crystal device  520  is that the color filter  500  is placed on the lower side of the drawing (opposite to the observer side). 
   The liquid crystal device  530  is substantially composed of a liquid crystal layer  532  made of STN liquid crystal that is held between the color filter  500  and an opposing substrate  531  made of a glass substrate or the like. One each polarizing plate etc. (not shown) is provided outside the opposing substrate  531  and the color filter  500 . 
   On the protective film  509  of the color filter  500  (on the liquid crystal layer  532  side), a plurality of long, strip-shaped first electrodes  533  in the depth direction of the drawing are provided at predetermined intervals. A first orientation film  534  is formed to cover the surface of the first electrodes  533  on the liquid crystal layer  532  side. 
   Provided on the opposing substrate  531  on the side opposite to the color filter  500  are a plurality of long, strip-shaped second electrodes  536  extending perpendicularly to the first electrodes  533 , provided on the color filter  500  side, at predetermined intervals. A second orientation film  537  is formed to cover the surface of the second electrodes  536  on the liquid crystal layer  532  side. 
   Provided to the liquid crystal layer  532  are a spacer  538  that keeps the thickness of the liquid crystal layer  532  constant, and a seal material  539  that reduce the likelihood or prevents the liquid crystal composition contained in the liquid crystal layer  532  from leaking out. 
   In the same manner as in the liquid crystal device  520 , a pixel is a part where the first electrodes  533  and the second electrodes  536  intersect. Provided in the pixel are the color layers  508 R,  508 G,  508 B of the color filter  500 . 
     FIG. 20  is a schematic showing the main structure of a transmissive thin-film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal device which is a third example of a liquid crystal device fitted with the color filter  500  according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention. 
   A liquid crystal device  550  includes the color filter  500  provided on the upper side of the drawing (the observer side). 
   The liquid crystal device  550  is substantially composed of the color filter  500 , an opposing substrate  551  provided face to face with the color filter, a liquid crystal layer (not shown) held between the color filter and the substrate, a polarizing plate  555  provided on the upper side (observer side) of the color filter  500 , and a polarizing plate (not shown) provided on the lower side of the opposing substrate  551 . 
   An electrode  556  to drive the liquid crystal is provided on the surface (on the opposing substrate  551  side) of the protective film  509  of the color filter  500 . The electrode  556  is made of a transparent conductive material, such as ITO, and covers the whole area in which a pixel electrode  560 , which will be described later, is formed. An orientation film  557  is provided with the surface of the electrode  556  on the side opposite to the pixel electrode  560  covered. 
   An insulating layer  558  is provided to the opposing substrate  551  on the side opposite to the color filter  500 . Provided on the insulating layer  558  are a scanning line  561  and a signal line  562  that are perpendicular to each other. In the area surrounded by the scanning line  561  and the signal line  562 , the pixel electrode  560  is provided. Note that an orientation film to be provided on the pixel electrode  560  in an actual liquid crystal device is not shown in the drawing. 
   A thin-film transistor  563  including a source electrode, drain electrode, semiconductor and gate electrode is fitted in the part surrounded by a cutout part of the pixel electrode  560 , the scanning line  561 , and the signal line  562 . By applying signals to the scanning line  561  and the signal line  562 , the thin-film transistor  563  is turned on and off, and thus a current flow in the pixel electrode  560  is controlled. 
   While the liquid crystal devices  520 ,  530 , and  550  use a transmissive structure, a reflective liquid crystal device or semi-transmissive reflective liquid crystal device fitted with a reflective layer or a semi-transmissive reflective layer can also be used instead. 
     FIG. 21  is a schematic showing the main structure of a display area of an organic EL device (hereinafter “display  600 ”). 
   The display  600  is substantially composed of a circuit element part  602 , a light-emitting element part  603 , and a negative electrode  604  all of which are deposited on a substrate (W)  601 . 
   In the display  600 , light emitted from the light-emitting element part  603  to the substrate  601  side passes through the circuit element part  602  and the substrate  601  to be emitted to the observer side, on one hand. On the other, light emitted from the light-emitting element part  603  to the side opposite to the substrate  601  is reflected by the negative electrode  604 , and then passes through the circuit element part  602  and the substrate  601  to be emitted to the observer side. 
   Between the circuit element part  602  and the substrate  601 , a base protective film  606  made of a silicon oxide film is formed. Provided on the base protective film  606  (on the light-emitting element part  603  side) is an island-shaped semiconductor film  607  made of polycrystalline silicon. In right and left areas of the semiconductor film  607 , a source region  607   a  and a drain region  607   b  are formed by the implantation of high concentrations of positive ions. A central part where no positive ion is implanted becomes a channel region  607   c.    
   In the circuit element part  602 , a transparent gate insulating film  608  is formed to cover the base protective film  606  and the semiconductor film  607 . A gate electrode  609  made of Al, Mo, Ta, Ti, W or the like is formed at a position on the semiconductor film  607  provided on the gate insulating film  608  that is corresponding to the channel region  607   c . On the gate electrode  609  and the gate insulating film  608 , a first interlayer insulating film  611   a  and a second interlayer insulating film  611   b  that are transparent are formed. In addition, contact holes  612   a  and  612   b  are formed through the first and second interlayer insulating films  611   a  and  611   b  so as to communicate with the source region  607   a  and the drain region  607   b  of the semiconductor film  607 . 
   On the second interlayer insulating film  611   b , a transparent pixel electrode  613  made of ITO, etc., is patterned and formed in a predetermined shape. The pixel electrode  613  is coupled to the source region  607   a  through the contact hole  612   a.    
   Provided on the first interlayer insulating film  611   a  is a power line  614 , which is coupled to the drain region  607   b  through the contact hole  612   b.    
   In this manner, a thin film transistor  615  for driving that is coupled to each pixel electrode  613  is formed in the circuit element part  602 . 
   The light-emitting element part  603  is substantially composed of a functional layer  617  deposited on each of a plurality of pixel electrodes (each corresponding to the pixel electrode  613 ), and a bank part  618  provided between each pixel electrode  613  and the functional layer  617  to partition each functional layer  617 . 
   The light-emitting element is composed of the pixel electrodes  613 , the functional layer  617 , and the negative electrode  604  provided on the functional layer  617 . The pixel electrode  613  is patterned to be roughly rectangular in plan view. The bank part  618  is formed between one pixel electrode  613  and another pixel electrode  613 . 
   The bank part  618  is composed of an inorganic bank layer  618 a (first bank layer) made of an inorganic material, such as SiO, SiO 2  and TiO 2 , and an organic bank layer  618   b  (second bank layer) with a trapezoidal cross section. The organic bank layer  618   b  is deposited on the inorganic bank layer  618   a  and is made of a resist with excellent heat resistance and solvent resistance, such as acrylic and polyimide resins. Part of the bank part  618  rides on the edge of the pixel electrode  613 . 
   An opening part  619  that gradually spreads and opens upward to the pixel electrode  613  is formed between one bank part  618  and another bank part  618 . 
   The functional layer  617  is composed of a hole injection/transport layer  617   a  deposited on the pixel electrode  613  in the opening part  619 , and a light-emitting layer  617   b  formed on the hole injection/transport layer  617   a . Here, other functional layers having other functions may be formed next to the light-emitting layer  617   b . For example, an electron transport layer can also be formed. 
   The hole injection/transport layer  617   a  has a function of transporting holes from the pixel electrode  613  side and injecting them into the light-emitting layer  617   b . The hole injection/transport layer  617   a  is formed by discharging a first composition (functional liquid) containing a hole injection/transport layer material. Note that any suitable material can be used as the hole injection/transport layer material. 
   The light-emitting layer  617   b  emits light of any of red (R), green (G) and blue (B), and is formed by discharging a second composition (functional liquid) containing a light-emitting layer material (light-emitting material). As a solvent of the second composition (nonpolar solvent), any suitable material which is insoluble with respect to the hole injection/transport layer  617   a  may be used. With such a nonpolar solvent used for the second composition of the light-emitting layer  617   b , the light-emitting layer  617   b  can be formed without re-dissolving the hole injection/transport layer  617   a.    
   The light-emitting layer  617   b  has a structure in which holes injected from the hole injection/transport layer  617   a  and electrons injected from the negative electrode  604  are rebonded in the light-emitting layer to emit light. 
   The negative electrode  604  covers the entire surface of the light-emitting element part  603 , and passes a current through the functional layer  617  while making a pair with the pixel electrode  613 . Here, a seal member (not shown) is arranged on the upper part of the negative electrode  604 . 
   A process for manufacturing the display  600  will now be described referring to  FIGS. 22 to 30 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 22 , the display  600  is manufactured through steps for forming a bank part (S 111 ), performing surface treatment (S 112 ), forming a hole injection/transport layer (S 113 ), forming a light-emitting layer (S 114 ), and forming an opposing electrode (S 115 ). The manufacturing process is not limited to this example, and any steps may be removed or added as necessary. 
   Referring to  FIG. 23 , the inorganic bank layer  618   a  is formed on the second interlayer insulating film  611   b  in the step for forming a bank part (S 111 ). The inorganic bank layer  618   a  is provided by forming an inorganic film at a forming position and patterning the film by a photolithography technique or the like. Here, part of the inorganic bank layer  618   a  overlaps the edge of the pixel electrode  613 . 
   After the inorganic bank layer  618   a  is formed, the organic bank layer  618   b  is formed on the inorganic bank layer  618   a  as shown in  FIG. 24 . The organic bank layer  618   b  is also formed by patterning using a photolithography technique or the like in the same manner as the inorganic bank layer  618   a.    
   This way the bank part  618  is formed. Along with this, the opening part  619  that opens upward to the pixel electrode  613  is formed between one bank part  618  and another bank part  618 . The opening part  619  defines a pixel area. 
   In the step for performing surface treatment (S 112 ), lyophilic treatment and liquid repellent treatment are performed. Regions subjected to the lyophilic treatment are a first multi-layered part  618   a  a included in the inorganic bank layers  618   a  and an electrode surface  613   a  included in the pixel electrode  613 . The surface of these regions are treated to be lyophilic by plasma treatment using oxygen as a processing gas, for example. By the plasma treatment, ITO of the pixel electrode  613  is also cleaned, for example. 
   The liquid repellent treatment is applied to a wall surface  618   s  included in the organic bank layer  618   b  and an upper surface  618   t  included in the organic bank layer  618   b . For example, the surfaces are subjected to fluoridation treatment (treated to be liquid repellent) by plasma treatment using methane tetrafluoride as a processing gas. 
   By performing the step of surface treatment, when forming the functional layer  617  using the droplet discharge head  21 , a functional-liquid droplet can be surely landed on a pixel area. Also, it is possible to reduce the likelihood or prevent a functional-liquid droplet landed on a pixel area from leaking out from the opening part  619 . 
   The above-mentioned steps provides a display base body  600 A. The display base body  600 A is placed on the set table  17  of the droplet discharge unit  3  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and the following steps for forming a hole injection/transport layer (S 113 ) and forming a light-emitting layer (S 114 ) are performed. 
   Referring to  FIG. 25 , the first composition containing a hole injection/transport layer material is discharged from the droplet discharge head  21  to each opening part  619 , which is a pixel area, in the step for forming a hole injection/transport layer (S 113 ). Subsequently, drying treatment and heat treatment are performed to vaporize a polar solvent contained in the first composition and to form the hole injection/transport layer  617   a  on the pixel electrode (electrode surface  613   a )  613 , as shown in  FIG. 26 . 
   The step for forming a light-emitting layer (S 114 ) will now be described. In the step for forming a light-emitting layer, as described above, in order to reduce the likelihood or prevent the hole injection/transport layer  617   a  from being re-dissolved, a nonpolar solvent that is insoluble to the hole injection/transport layer  617   a  is used as a solvent of the second composition used to form the light-emitting layer. 
   However, since the hole injection/transport layer  617   a  has low affinity to the nonpolar solvent, even if the second composition containing the nonpolar solvent is discharged on the hole injection/transport layer  617   a , there is a possibility that the hole injection/transport layer  617   a  and the light-emitting layer  617   b  cannot be brought into close contact with each other, or the light-emitting layer  617   b  cannot be evenly applied. 
   Therefore, in order to increase the affinity of the surface of the hole injection/transport layer  617   a  with respect to the nonpolar solvent and the light-emitting layer material, surface treatment (surface modification treatment) may be performed before forming the light-emitting layer. The surface treatment is performed by applying and drying a surface modification material that is the same solvent as or a similar solvent to the nonpolar solvent of the second composition used to form the light-emitting layer to the hole injection/transport layer  617   a.    
   This treatment makes the surface of the hole injection/transport layer  617   a  become affinitive to the nonpolar solvent. Therefore, in the subsequent step, the second composition containing the light-emitting layer material can be evenly applied to the hole injection/transport layer  617   a.    
   Next, as shown in  FIG. 27 , a predetermined amount of the second composition containing the light-emitting layer material corresponding to any of the colors (blue (B) in the example shown in  FIG. 27 ) is implanted into the pixel area (an opening part  619 ) as a functional-liquid droplet. The second composition implanted into the pixel area spreads on the hole injection/transport layer  617   a  and fills the opening part  619 . Even if the second composition deviates from the pixel area and is landed on the upper surface  618   t  of the bank part  618 , since the upper surface  618   t  is subjected to the liquid repellent treatment, the second composition easily rolls into the opening part  619 . 
   Subsequently, by performing the drying step or the like, the second composition that has been discharged is subjected to drying treatment in order to vaporize the nonpolar solvent contained in the second composition. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 28 , the light-emitting layer  617   b  is formed on the hole injection/transport layer  617   a . In this drawing, the light-emitting layer  617   b  of blue (B) is formed. 
   Similarly, by using the droplet discharge head  21  as shown in  FIG. 29 , a similar step to the step for forming the above-mentioned light-emitting layer  617   b  of blue (B) is sequentially performed to form the light-emitting layer  617   b  of the other colors (red (R) and green (G)). The order of forming the light-emitting layer  617   b  is not limited to the exemplified order. The light-emitting layer  617   b  may be formed in any order. For example, the order can be determined according to light-emitting layer materials. The three colors, R, G, B, can be arranged in stripe, mosaic, delta, and other patterns. 
   As described above, the functional layer  617 , that is, the hole injection/transport layer  617   a  and the light-emitting layer  617   b  are formed on the pixel electrode  613 , which is followed by the step for forming an opposing electrode (S 115 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 30 , the negative electrode  604  (opposing electrode) is formed on the entire surface of the light-emitting layer  617   b  and the organic bank layer  618   b  by, for example, vapor deposition, sputtering, CVD or the like in the step for forming an opposing electrode (S 115 ). In the present exemplary embodiment, the negative electrode  604  is formed by depositing a calcium layer and an aluminum layer, for example. 
   On the upper part of the negative electrode  604 , an Al film or an Ag film as an electrode, and a protective layer made of SiO 2 , SiN or the like for reducing or preventing oxidation of the electrode are provided as necessary. 
   After the negative electrode  604  is formed in this manner, seal treatment to seal the upper part of the negative electrode  604  with a seal member, wiring process or other processes are performed, which complete the display  600 . 
     FIG. 31  is a schematic showing the main structure of a plasma display (PDP device, hereinafter “display  700 ”). In this drawing, the display  700  is shown with a part thereof removed. 
   The display  700  is substantially composed of a first substrate  701  and a second substrate  702  that are arranged to be opposed to each other, and an electric discharge display part  703  that is formed between the substrates. The electric discharge display part  703  is composed of a plurality of electric discharge chambers  705 . In the plurality of electric discharge chambers  705 , three electric discharge chambers  705  of a red electric discharge chamber  705 R, a green electric discharge chamber  705 G, a blue electric discharge chamber  705 B are arranged to make a set for composing a pixel. 
   On the upper surface of the first substrate  701 , address electrodes  706  are formed in stripe at a predetermined interval. A dielectric layer  707  is formed so as to cover the upper surface of the address electrodes  706  and of the first substrate  701 . On the dielectric layer  707 , partition walls  708  are formed between the address electrodes  706  upright along the address electrodes  706 . The partition walls  708  include walls extending in the width direction of the address electrodes  706  as shown in the drawing, and other walls (not shown) extended in the direction perpendicular to the address electrodes  706 . 
   Areas partitioned by the partition walls  708  are the electric discharge chambers  705 . 
   A fluorescent substance  709  is arranged inside the electric discharge chambers  705 . The fluorescent substance  709  emits light of any color of red (R), green (G) and blue (B). A red fluorescent substance  709 R is arranged at the bottom part of the red electric discharge chamber  705 R, a green fluorescent substance  709 G at the bottom part of the green electric discharge chamber  705 G, and a blue fluorescent substance  709 B at the bottom part of the blue electric discharge chamber  705 B. 
   Referring to the drawing, a plurality of display electrodes  711  are formed in a direction perpendicular to the address electrodes  706  in stripes at a predetermined interval on the lower surface of the second substrate  702 . In addition, a dielectric layer  712  and a protective layer  713  made of MgO or the like are formed so as to cover the display electrodes  711 . 
   The first substrate  701  and the second substrate  702  are joined face to face in a state that the address electrodes  706  and the display electrodes  711  are placed perpendicular to each other. The address electrodes  706  and the display electrodes  711  are coupled to an AC power (not shown). 
   By passing a current through the electrodes  706  and  711 , the fluorescent substance  709  is excited to emit light in the electric discharge display part  703 , thereby providing a color display. 
   In the present exemplary embodiment, the address electrodes  706 , the display electrodes  711 , and the fluorescent substance  709  can be formed using the droplet discharge unit  3  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . A process for forming the address electrodes  706  in the first substrate  701  will be illustrated. 
   In this case, the following process is performed in a state that the first substrate  701  is placed on the set table  17  of the droplet discharge unit  1 . 
   First, a liquid material (functional liquid) containing a conductive film wiring material is landed by the droplet discharge head  21  on an address electrode forming area as a functional-liquid droplet. This liquid material is obtained by dispersing conductive fine particles of a metal, etc., in a dispersion medium as the conductive film wiring material. As the conductive fine particles, metal fine particles containing gold, silver, copper, palladium, nickel or the like, a conductive polymer or the like can be used. 
   After providing the liquid material to all the address electrode forming areas to be provided, the liquid material that has been discharged is dried so as to vaporize the dispersion medium contained in the liquid material. Consequently, the address electrodes  706  are formed. 
   While forming of the address electrodes  706  has been illustrated, the display electrodes  711  and the fluorescent substance  709  can also be formed by the above-mentioned steps. 
   To form the display electrodes  711 , in the same manner as the forming of the address electrodes  706 , a liquid material (functional liquid) containing a conductive film wiring material is landed on the display electrode forming area as a functional-liquid droplet. 
   To form the fluorescent substance  709 , a liquid material (functional liquid) containing a fluorescent material corresponding to each of the colors (R, G, B) is discharged as a droplet from the droplet discharge head  21  to be landed on the electric discharge chambers  705  of the corresponding color. 
     FIG. 32  is a schematic showing the main structure of an electron-emitting device that is also called an FED device or an SED device (hereinafter referred to as a “display  800 ”). The drawing shows the cross section of part of the display  800 . 
   The display  800  is substantially composed of a first substrate  801  and a second substrate  802  that are arranged to be opposed to each other, and a field emission display part  803  that is formed between these substrates. The field emission display part  803  includes a plurality of electron-emitting parts  805  arranged in a matrix. 
   On the upper surface of the first substrate  801 , a first element electrode  806   a  and a second element electrode  806 b composing a cathode electrode  806  are formed perpendicular to each other. Provided in an area partitioned by the first element electrode  806   a  and the second element electrode  806   b  is a conductive film  807  in which a gap  808  is formed. In other words, each of the plurality of electron-emitting parts  805  are composed of the first element electrode  806   a , the second element electrode  806   b  and the conductive film  807 . The conductive film  807  is composed of palladium oxide (PdO) or the like. The gap  808  is made by a forming process (for example, chemical polishing or mechanical polishing) or the like after providing the conductive film  807 . 
   Provided on the lower surface of the second substrate  802  is an anode electrode  809  placed face to face with the cathode electrodes  806 . Provided on the lower surface of the anode electrode  809  is a bank part  811  in a lattice. In each downward opening part  812  surrounded by the bank part  811 , a fluorescent substance  813  is arranged correspondingly to the electron-emitting parts  805 . Each fluorescent substance  813  emits fluorescence of any of red (R), green (G) and blue (B). In each opening part  812 , a red fluorescent substance  813 R, a green fluorescent substance  813 G or a blue fluorescent substance  813 B is arranged in the above-mentioned predetermined pattern. 
   The first substrate  801  and the second substrate  802  formed as mentioned above are joined to each other with a minute gap therebetween. In the display  800 , electrons flying out from the first element electrode  806   a  or the second element electrode  806   b , which are negative electrodes, through the conductive film (gap  808 )  807  hit the fluorescent substance  813  formed in the anode electrode  809 , which is a positive electrode, so that the fluorescent substance  813  is excited to emit light, thereby providing a color display. 
   In this case as well as the other exemplary embodiments, the first element electrode  806   a , the second element electrode  806   b , the conductive film  807  and the anode electrode  809  are formed by using the droplet discharge unit  3 . Also, the fluorescent substances  813 R,  813 G,  813 B can be formed by using the droplet discharge unit  3 . 
   The first element electrode  806   a , the second element electrode  806   b  and the conductive film  807  have such a plane shape as shown in  FIG. 33A . When forming these films, a bank part BB is formed (by photolithography) while leaving space to form the first element electrode  806   a , the second element electrodes  806   b  and the conductive films  807  as shown in  FIG. 33B  in advance. Next, the first element electrode  806   a  and the second element electrode  806   b  are formed in groove parts constructed by the bank part BB (by ink jetting by the droplet discharge unit  3 ). After drying their solvent to form their films, the conductive film  807  is formed (by ink jetting by means of the droplet discharge unit  3 ). The forming of the conductive film  807  is followed by the removal of the bank part BB (by ashing peeling), and then the above-mentioned forming process (for example, chemical polishing or mechanical polishing). Lyophilic treatment for the first substrate  801  and the second substrate  802  and liquid repellent treatment for the bank part  811  and BB may also be performed like in the above-mentioned organic EL device. 
   Examples of other electro-optical devices may include metal wiring forming, lens forming, resist forming, and light diffuser forming devices. Using the droplet discharge unit  3  makes it possible to efficiently manufacture various electro-optical devices.