Patent Publication Number: US-2004051767-A1

Title: Pressure absorbing apparatus, ejector apparatus and methods

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention generally relates to a pressure absorbing apparatus such as a pressure damper used in an ejector apparatus that ejects a liquid such as ink onto an ejection object. This ejector apparatus with the pressure absorbing apparatus can be used to manufacture an electrooptical device having a color filter or an EL element, an electronic apparatus with this electrooptical device and a device having a base with an ejected pattern.  
       [0003] 2. Background Information  
       [0004] Electrooptical devices having color filters, electroluminescence elements (EL elements), and the like are currently used on a wide scale. A color filter or an EL element is formed by applying or ejecting a liquid material for a color filter or a liquid material in a dotted configuration on a substrate. Specifically, droplets containing a filter material or an EL emission material are ejected from an ejecting head while the ejecting head is horizontally scanned a plurality of times over the substrate.  
       [0005] Stable ejection of droplets is difficult to maintain during the scanning of the ejecting head because acceleration is applied to the droplets in the ejecting head and to the droplets in the tube that connects the ejecting head and the tank, causing the feed pressure of the droplets to fluctuate. In view of this, methods have been devised in the past whereby pressure absorbing apparatuses installed in ejector apparatuses for ink jet printers are used during the manufacture of color filters or EL elements.  
       [0006] It has been discovered that such pressure absorbing apparatuses are resistant solely to water-soluble liquid bodies or inks and tend to sustain damage when used in the manufacture of color filters or EL elements that employ special solvents or the like.  
       [0007] In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved pressure absorbing apparatus that is used in an ejector apparatus, which can be used to manufacture an electrooptical device having a color filter or an EL element, an electronic apparatus with this electrooptical device and a device having a base with an ejected pattern. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] One object of the present invention, which was devised in view of such a drawback, is to provide a pressure absorbing apparatus capable of ejecting droplets from the ejecting head in a stable manner irrespective of the properties of the liquid. Also an object of the present invention is to provide an ejector apparatus having this pressure absorbing apparatus that is used to provide an electrooptical device having a color filter or EL element, a device having a base with an ejected pattern, and an electronic apparatus having this electrooptical device.  
       [0009] The pressure absorbing apparatus of the present invention is to be disposed between a tank for a liquid and an ejecting head that ejects the liquid from the tank onto an ejection object. The pressure absorbing apparatus basically comprises a droplet inlet, a droplet outlet, a channel and a pressure absorbing portion. The droplet inlet is configured to be fluidly connected to the tank. The droplet outlet is configured to be fluidly connected to the ejecting head. The channel is fluidly connecting the droplet inlet to the droplet outlet. The pressure absorbing portion is in communication with the channel. The pressure absorbing apparatus absorbing the pressure fluctuations in the liquid being fed from the tank to the ejecting head. At least surfaces of the droplet inlet, the droplet outlet, the channel, and the pressure absorbing portion that are arranged to contact the liquid are formed of a corrosion-resistant material that resists corrosion by the liquid.  
       [0010] These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0011] Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:  
     [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting a manufacturing apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0013]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view depicting an ejector apparatus of the manufacturing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ejector apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0015]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view depicting a color filter manufactured with the aid of the manufacturing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0016]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view depicting an electrooptical device having the color filter manufactured with the aid of the manufacturing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0017]FIG. 6 is a perspective view depicting a personal computer equipped with the electrooptical device manufactured with the aid of the manufacturing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0018]FIG. 7 is a perspective view depicting a portable phone equipped with the electrooptical device manufactured with the aid of the manufacturing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0019]FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the light emitting apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0020]FIG. 9 is a top plan view depicting a planar structure including pixel regions of the light emitting apparatus manufactured with the aid of the manufacturing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;  
     [0021]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the light emitting apparatus as seen along section line A-B in FIG. 9 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; and  
     [0022]FIG. 11 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view depicting a part of the light emitting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 10 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0023] Basically, in the present invention, a surface of a pressure absorbing apparatus that is in contact with a liquid is covered with a corrosion-resistant material, making it possible to prevent the pressure absorbing apparatus from being damaged by the corrosion or the like of the surface in contact with the liquid. It is therefore possible to eject droplets from an ejecting head in a stable manner, irrespective of the properties of the liquid. Because the droplets can be stably ejected in this manner, it is possible to reduce the percent of defective devices and to increase productivity.  
     [0024] The pressure absorbing apparatus of the present invention can be covered with a corrosion-resistant material solely along the surface of the droplet inlet, droplet outlet, channel, and pressure absorbing portion in contact with the liquid, or the entire structure can be composed of the corrosion-resistant material.  
     [0025] In this situation, the corrosion-resistant material is preferably at least one material selected from among polyethylene, polypropylene, fluororesin, polyoxymethylene, cyclic olefin copolymer, and polyparaphenylene benzoxazole.  
     [0026] Examples of suitable fluororesins include tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl (PFA) vinyl ether copolymers, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE).  
     [0027] Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), fluororesin, polyoxymethylene (POM), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), or poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO) can be used as the corrosion-resistant material during the manufacture of an EL element. In addition, using polyethylene or cyclic olefin copolymer during the manufacture of a color filter is particularly preferred.  
     [0028] For example, a liquid obtained by dissolving a material for an EL layer or a material for a color filter in a special organic solvent is used during the manufacture of the EL element or color filter, making it possible to use the pressure absorbing apparatus in the manufacture of the EL element or color filter by employing the aforementioned corrosion-resistant material.  
     [0029] The ejector apparatus of the present invention is an ejector apparatus having a tank for feeding a liquid that has fluidity, and an ejecting head whereby the liquid fed from the tank is ejected onto an ejection object, characterized in that the pressure absorbing apparatus according to present invention is disposed between the tank and the ejecting head. Such an ejector apparatus has the above-described pressure absorbing apparatus and exhibits the same actions and effects. Specifically, droplets can be stably ejected from the ejecting head irrespective of the properties of the liquid.  
     [0030] In this situation, the ejecting head and the droplet outlet of the pressure absorbing apparatus are preferably linked via a rubber bushing, and at least the surface of the rubber bushing in contact with the liquid is preferably composed of a material that has corrosion resistance against the liquid. In this arrangement, the surface of the rubber bushing in contact with the liquid should be composed of a corrosion-resistant material. Consequently, the entire rubber bushing can be molded from the corrosion-resistant material, or a two-layer structure can be formed by coating a flexible rubber material such as silicone rubber with the corrosion-resistant material.  
     [0031] The corrosion resistance of the ejector apparatus can be improved by fashioning the rubber bushing that connects the pressure absorbing apparatus and the ejecting head from the corrosion-resistant material as well. Furthermore, the corrosion-resistant material is preferably at least one material selected from among fluororubber, fluororesin, elastomer, butyl rubber, and silicone rubber.  
     [0032] The rubber bushing is designed to fit tightly along the circumference of the droplet outlet or another component of the pressure absorbing apparatus and to prevent the liquid from leaking. For this reason, the rubber bushing preferably has sufficient flexibility to be able to deform in accordance with the shape of the droplet outlet when inserted into the droplet outlet of the pressure absorbing apparatus. In view of this, fluororubber, elastomer, butyl rubber, and silicone rubber are preferred when the entire rubber bushing is molded from a corrosion-resistant material. Examples of fluororubber include materials based on vinylidene fluoride (FKM), tetrafluoroethylene propylene (FEPM), and tetrafluoroethylene perfluorovinyl ether (FFKM). Among these, perfluororubber (including perfluoroelastomers), which is a type of fluororubber and has high corrosion resistance and heat resistance, is particularly preferred for such use. Also, fluororesin is particularly preferred because of the need to ensure a tight fit with the rubber material when the rubber bushing has a two-layer structure obtained by coating a rubber material with a corrosion-resistant material.  
     [0033] The electrooptical device of the present invention basically includes an electroluminescence element comprising a substrate provided with a plurality of electrodes, and a plurality of electroluminescence light emitting layers provided to the substrate in accordance with the electrodes. The electroluminescence light emitting layers are formed by ejecting a liquid containing a material for an EL layer onto the substrate from the ejector apparatus according to present invention. Alternatively, the electrooptical device has a color filter includes a substrate and a plurality of color filter layers of different colors formed on the substrate. The color filter layers are formed by ejecting a liquid containing color filter materials of specific colors onto the substrate from the ejector apparatus according to the present invention.  
     [0034] The EL element or color filter of the electrooptical device can be manufactured by the aforementioned ejector apparatus with high productivity, and the productivity of the electrooptical device can therefore be improved as well.  
     [0035] The device of the present invention has a base with an ejected pattern formed from the liquid being ejected onto the base from the ejector apparatus according to the present invention.  
     [0036] The ejector apparatus of the present invention is suitable for manufacturing a device that has a base in which a liquid that has fluidity is ejected onto the base, which is an ejection target. Device productivity can be improved because the liquid of the device is stably ejected by the aforementioned ejector apparatus.  
     [0037] The electronic apparatus of the present invention has the electrooptical device according to the present invention.  
     [0038] Possible examples of such electrooptical devices include personal computers and portable phones in which liquid-crystal panels and other display apparatuses are used as the above-described electrooptical device.  
     [0039] The presence of the above-described electrooptical device makes it possible to perform the same operation as with the electrooptical device.  
     [0040] Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.  
     Manufacturing Apparatus  1   
     [0041] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a manufacturing apparatus  1  is illustrated that is used to manufacture a color filter  4  (FIG. 4) in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The manufacturing apparatus  1  basically has three ejector apparatuses  2 , a main scanning apparatus  11 , a first drive motor  12 , a control circuit  13 , a substrate position controlling apparatus  14 , and a second drive motor  15 . These components of manufacturing apparatus  1  are conventional components that are well known in the art, except that the ejector apparatuses  2  have been modified as explained below. Since the components of manufacturing apparatus  1  are basically well known in the art, these structures will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein.  
     [0042] The ejector apparatuses  2  are designed to eject a liquid (see FIG. 4) containing a color filter material onto a substrate  41  of the color filter  4 . The three ejector apparatuses  2  each eject a liquid for red, a liquid for blue, or a liquid for green (ink). The three ejector apparatuses  2  are preferably ink jet printing apparatuses.  
     [0043] The main scanning apparatus  11  is designed to hold a pressure absorbing apparatus  23 , such as pressure damper, and an ejecting head  22  of each of the ejector apparatuses  2 , which are described below. The ejecting heads  22  can be ink-jet heads including a ink-jet head using a piezoelectric element, a ink-jet head using a electrostatic function, and a ink-jet head including a heater that generates an air bubble in a nozzle, and some types of dispenser including needle. Once a drive signal is supplied from the control circuit  13  to the drive motor  12 , the main scanning apparatus  11  is driven, and the ejecting head  22  and the pressure absorbing apparatus  23  move in the direction of the Y-axis.  
     [0044] The substrate position controlling apparatus  14  is designed to hold the substrate  41  of the color filter  4  seen in FIG. 5. Once a drive signal is supplied from the control circuit  13  to the drive motor  15 , the substrate position controlling apparatus  14  is driven, and the substrate  41  moves in the direction of the X-axis.  
     Structure of the Ejector Apparatus  2   
     [0045]FIGS. 2 and 3 depict one of the ejector apparatuses  2  of the manufacturing apparatus  1 . The ejector apparatus  2  has a tank or ink tank  21  for feeding an ink or liquid, and an ejecting head or ink jet head  22  for ejecting the liquid or ink fed from the tank  21 . The pressure absorbing apparatus  23  is disposed between the tank  21  and the ejecting head  22 .  
     [0046] The pressure absorbing apparatus  23  is designed to absorb the pressure fluctuations of the liquid fed to the ejecting head  22  from the tank  21 . The pressure absorbing apparatus  23  is preferably a pressure damper that has a pressure absorbing apparatus main body  231 , a film  232 , and a filter  234 .  
     [0047] The pressure absorbing apparatus main body  231  is provided with a droplet inlet  231 A fluidly connected to the tank  21  via a tube  211 , and a pair of droplet outlets  231 B (only one shown in FIG. 2) fluidly connected to the ejecting head  22 . In addition, the pressure absorbing apparatus main body  231  is provided with a groove-shaped passage  231 C and a pressure absorbing portion  231 D.  
     [0048] The droplet outlets  231 B are fluidly connected in a corresponding fashion via a rubber bushing  24  to two identical feed tubes  221 A (only one shown in FIG. 2) formed in the ejecting head  22 .  
     [0049] The rubber bushing  24  is provided with an internal channel (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3), and projections (not shown) are formed in the circumferential direction in the parts penetrated by the droplet outlets  231 B or the feed tubes  221 A. The projections of the rubber bushing  24  collapse upon fitting the droplet outlets  231 B and the feed tubes  221 A into the rubber bushing  24  to seal the circumference of the droplet outlets  231 B and the feed tubes  221 A. The rubber bushing  24  is preferably composed of a corrosion-resistant material that is corrosion resistance against the liquid or ink. Examples of suitable corrosion-resistant materials include perfluororubber, elastomer, butyl rubber, and silicone rubber.  
     [0050] The groove-shaped passage  231 C fluidly connects the droplet inlet  231 A and the droplet outlets  231 B with the pressure absorbing portion  231 D being located between the passage  231 C and the droplet outlets  231 B. The passage  231 C includes a first passage portion  231 C′ for guiding the liquid from the droplet inlet  231 A to the pressure absorbing portion  231 D, and a second passage  231 C″ for guiding the liquid from the pressure absorbing portion  231 D to the droplet outlets  231 B. The second passage  231 C″ is bifurcated, with each branch being fluidly connected to one of the droplet outlets  231 B.  
     [0051] The filter  234  is attached by ultrasonic welding to the pressure absorbing apparatus main body  231  at the boundary between the pressure absorbing portion  231 D and the second passage  231 C″. The filter  234  is provided in order to prevent dust or bubbles from entering the second passage. The filter  234  can be formed from a resin that has corrosion resistance against the liquid, such as polypropylene, cyclic olefin copolymer, or polyethylene, or from SUS or the like.  
     [0052] The film  232  is thermally welded to the pressure absorbing apparatus main body  231  so that the passage  231 C and the pressure absorbing portion  231 D thereof are covered. The film  232  is preferably formed from a corrosion-resistant material that has corrosion resistance against the liquid, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or a laminated film of polyethylene and nylon.  
     [0053] The droplet inlet  231 A, the droplet outlets  231 B, the passage  231 C, and the pressure absorbing portion  231 D of the pressure absorbing apparatus  23  are composed of a material that has corrosion resistance against the liquid or ink used in the applications disclosed herein. Examples of such corrosion-resistant materials include polypropylene, cyclic olefin copolymers, and polyethylene. In addition, the corrosion-resistant material can be formed from a single type of such resin, or a resin that is a mixture of two or more types.  
     [0054] The ink jet head or ejecting head  22  is provided with the feed tubes  221 A, and has a head frame  221  to which the liquid or ink is fed, a diaphragm  222  mounted on the head frame  221 , and an oscillator  223  fixed to the diaphragm  222 .  
     [0055] The diaphragm  222  has a resin film (not shown) and a metal frame portion (not shown) attached to the resin film, and the frame portion is attached to the head frame  221 . A spacer  225  having a pressure generating chamber  225 A is disposed underneath the diaphragm  222 . In addition, a nozzle plate  226  provided with a plurality of nozzles  226 A for spraying the liquid in a jet configuration is disposed underneath the spacer  225 .  
     [0056] The oscillator  223  is attached on one side to a vibration damping plate  227  bonded to the inner surface of the head frame  221 . In addition, the electrodes of the oscillator  223  are connected to a pair of circuit substrates  26  via a pair of film substrates  25 .  
     [0057] The liquid or ink is ejected in the following manner from the ejecting head  22 . The oscillator  223  is contracted by applying a voltage of about 30 V from the circuit substrates  26  to the electrodes of the oscillator  223 , and the diaphragm  222  vibrates with this contraction of the oscillator  223 . Vibration of the ejecting head  222  causes the volume of the pressure generating chamber  225 A formed in the ejecting head  222  to vary and pressure to be generated. The liquid is then ejected by this pressure from the nozzles  226 A.  
     Structure and Manufacture of the Color Filter  4   
     [0058] As seen in portion (d) of FIG. 4, the color filter  4  is illustrated that has been manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus  1  as described above. The color filter  4  basically has a square substrate  41 , a color filter layer  42  and a protective film  43 . The substrate  41  is formed from glass, plastic, or the like. The color filter layer  42  is obtained by applying or ejecting the liquid or ink in a dot pattern to the surface of the substrate  41 . The protective film  43  is laminated over the color filter layer  42 .  
     [0059] The method for manufacturing a color filter  4  will now be described with reference to FIG. 4. A substrate  41  (portion (a) of FIG. 4) provided with a plurality of partitions  411 . The substrate  41  is held in advance in the substrate position controlling apparatus  14  of the manufacturing apparatus  1 . The partitions  411  are formed from a non-translucent resin material and are arranged, for example, in a lattice pattern.  
     [0060] The drive motor  12  with the aid of the control circuit  13  drives the main scanning apparatus  11  to cause the ejecting head  22  with the pressure absorbing apparatus  23  to perform a reciprocating cycle across the substrate  41 . In this situation, droplets of the liquid are fed or ejected between the partitions  411  from the ejecting head  22 .  
     [0061] The substrate position controlling apparatus  14  is subsequently driven by the drive motor  15 , and the substrate  41  moves a specific distance in the direction of the X-axis. The ejecting head  22  and the pressure absorbing apparatus  23  perform a reciprocating cycle across the substrate  41  when the main scanning apparatus  11  is driven again by the drive motor  12 . The liquid is fed or ejected between all the partitions  411  by repeating these operations until a desired pattern is obtained such as seen in portion (b) of FIG. 4.  
     [0062] As seen in portion (b) of FIG. 4, a symbol  42 R is used to indicate a liquid for a red (R) color, a symbol  42 G is used to indicate a liquid for a green (G) color, and a symbol  42 B is used to indicate a liquid for a blue (B) color.  
     [0063] When the spaces between the partitions  411  are filled with a specific amount of the liquid, the substrate  41  is heated by a heater (not shown) to vaporize the solvent of the liquid. The vaporization reduces the volume and smoothes the liquid, as shown in portion (c) of FIG. 4. If the reduction in volume is considerable, the feeding of the liquid and the heating and vaporization are performed repeatedly until an adequate film thickness is obtained for the color filter  4 . The above procedure causes the solids of the liquid to ultimately remain and to form a film, thereby completing the color filter layer  42 .  
     [0064] After the color filter layer  42  has been formed by the above operation, a heat treatment is conducted at a specific temperature for a specific time in order to completely dry the color filter layer  42 . The protective film  43  for protecting the color filter layer  42  is then formed. The protective film  43  can be formed using the manufacturing apparatus  1 , and the film forming method can, for example, be a technique such as spin coating, roll coating, or dipping.  
     Structure of the Liquid Crystal Apparatus  5   
     [0065] The color filter  4  as manufactured according to the present invention can be used in a liquid crystal apparatus  5 , which is an electrooptical device such as the one shown in FIG. 5. In the liquid crystal apparatus  5 , an integrated circuit (IC)  52 A for driving liquid crystals and an integrated circuit (not shown) for driving liquid crystals are mounted as semiconductor chips on a liquid crystal panel  51 . A flexible printed circuit (FPC)  53  is connected as a wiring connection element to a liquid crystal panel  51 . Another feature of the liquid crystal apparatus  5  is a lighting apparatus  54  that is formed as a backlight on the reverse side of the liquid crystal panel  51 . The liquid crystal panel  51  is preferably formed by pasting a first substrate  511  and a second substrate  512  together using a sealing element  513 .  
     [0066] The first substrate  511  has a planar base  511 A, a reflecting film  511 B, an insulating film  511 C, a first electrode  511 D and an orienting film  511 E. The planar base  511 A is formed from transparent glass, transparent plastic, or the like. The reflecting film  511 B is formed on the internal surface (top surface in FIG. 5) of the base  511 A. The insulating film  511 C is laminated onto the reflecting film  511 B. The first electrode  511 D is formed on the insulating film  51  IC. The orienting film  511 E is further formed on the first electrode  511 D.  
     [0067] The second substrate  512  has a planar base  512 A, which is formed from transparent glass, transparent plastic, or the like, with the color filter  4  being provided to the internal surface (bottom surface in FIG. 5) of the base  512 A. The second substrate  512  also has a second electrode  512 D is formed on the color filter  4 , with an orienting film  512 E being further formed on the second electrode  512 D.  
     [0068] The liquid crystal apparatus  5  can be incorporated into a personal computer  500 A such as the one shown in FIG. 6, a portable phone  500 B such as the one shown in FIG. 7, or any other electronic apparatus.  
     [0069] Consequently, the following effects can be obtained in accordance with the present embodiment.  
     [0070] (1) At the surface of the droplet inlet  231 A, the droplet outlets  231 B, the passage  231 C, and the pressure absorbing portion  231 D of the pressure absorbing apparatus  23  that are exposed or contact the liquid are composed of a corrosion-resistant material, making it possible to prevent the pressure absorbing apparatus  23  from being damaged by the corrosion of the surface in contact with the liquid or ink. In addition, pressure fluctuations of the liquid are absorbed by the pressure absorbing apparatus  23 , making it possible to eject droplets from the ejecting head  22  in a stable manner. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the percent defective of the color filter  4  and to improve the production efficiency of the color filter  4 .  
     [0071] (2) Polyethylene, polypropylene, or cyclic olefin copolymer is preferably used as the corrosion-resistant material for the pressure absorbing apparatus  23 . Since these resins have particularly high resistance against the liquid of the color filter  4 , it is possible to prevent damage to the pressure absorbing apparatus  23  with even greater efficiency.  
     [0072] (3) In addition, the entire droplet inlet  231 A, the droplet outlets  231 B, passage  231 C, and the pressure absorbing portion  231 D are preferably composed of a corrosion-resistant material, which dispenses with the need to expend as much labor on manufacturing the pressure absorbing apparatus  23  as when the corrosion-resistant material is applied solely to the surfaces or areas in contact with the liquid.  
     [0073] (4) The rubber bushing  24  for connecting the pressure absorbing apparatus  23  and the ejecting head  22  is composed of a corrosion-resistant material that has corrosion resistance against the liquid. It is therefore possible to make the ejector apparatus  2  into a construction with higher corrosion resistance.  
     [0074] (5) In addition, the corrosion-resistant material of the rubber bushing  24  is a perfluororubber, elastomer, butyl rubber, or silicone rubber, and has not only corrosion resistance but also flexibility. Consequently, any formed projections can be collapsed and the droplet outlets  231 B or the like can be sealed when the droplet outlets  231 B or the like are inserted into the rubber bushing  24 , making it possible to securely prevent the liquid from leaking.  
     [0075] (6) In addition, the filter  234  attached to the boundary between the pressure absorbing portion  231 D and the second passage  231 C″ is formed from a resin that has corrosion resistance against the liquid, such as polypropylene, cyclic olefin copolymer, or polyethylene, or from SUS or the like, making it possible to further improve the corrosion resistance of the pressure absorbing apparatus  23 .  
     [0076] (7) In addition, the color filter  4  of the liquid crystal apparatus  5  can be manufactured with high production efficiency by using the above-described ejector apparatus  2 , making it possible to improve productivity for the liquid crystal apparatus  5  as well as for the personal computer  500 A (FIG. 6), the portable phone  500 B (FIG. 7), or any other electronic apparatus that incorporates this liquid crystal apparatus  5  of the present invention.  
     Structure of the Light Emitting Apparatus  7   
     [0077] Referring now to FIGS.  8 - 11 , an electrooptical device in accordance with a second embodiment will now be explained that incorporates a light emitting apparatus  7  which is manufactured with the aid of the ejector apparatus  2 , which was previously discussed.  
     [0078] The light emitting apparatus  7 , which is the electrooptical device, is obtained by the wiring of a plurality of scan lines  701 , a plurality of signal lines  702  extending in a direction that intersects the scan lines  701 , and a plurality of power supply lines  703  that extend parallel to the signal lines  702 , as shown in FIG. 8.  
     [0079] As shown in FIGS.  9  to  11 , in the light emitting apparatus  7 , a display element  70  is formed on a substrate  8 , and a sealing portion  9  is formed thereon. The substrate  8  is configured by forming a circuit element portion  74  on a transparent substrate  6  composed of glass or the like.  
     [0080] Pixel regions A are formed at the points of intersection of the scan lines  701  and signal lines  702 . The signal lines  702  are connected to a data-side drive circuit  704  comprising shift registers, level shifters, video lines, and analog switches. The scan lines  701  are connected to a scan-side drive circuit  705  comprising shift registers and level shifters. Each pixel region A includes a thin-film switching transistor  722 , a storage capacitor cap, a thin-film drive transistor  723  and an organic EL element (display element)  70 . The thin-film switching transistor  722  has a gate electrode that receives a scan signal via the scan line  701 . The storage capacitor cap is configured to hold a pixel signal shared from the signal lines  702  via the thin-film switching transistor  722 . The thin-film drive transistor  723  has a gate electrode that receives the pixel signal held by the storage capacitor cap. When an electrical connection is established with the power supply lines  703  via the thin-film drive transistor  723 , the organic EL element (display element)  70  receives a drive current from the power supply lines  703 .  
     [0081] The light emitting apparatus  7  is configured such that when the scan line  701  is driven and the thin-film switching transistor  722  is switched on, the corresponding potential of the signal line  702  is held by the storage capacitor cap, and the on/off state of the thin-film drive transistor  723  is determined in accordance with the state in the storage capacitor cap.  
     [0082] The light emitting apparatus  7  is also configured such that when the drive current flows from one of the power supply lines  703  to a pixel electrode  711  via the channel of the thin-film drive transistor  723 , this current flows to a cathode  72  via a functional layer  710 , and the functional layer  710  emits light in accordance with the value of the current.  
     [0083] As shown in FIGS.  9  to  11 , in the light emitting apparatus  7 , the display element  70  is formed on the substrate  8 , and the sealing portion  9  is formed on the display element  70 . The substrate  8  is configured by forming the circuit element portion  74  on the transparent substrate  6  which is composed of glass or the like.  
     [0084] The circuit element portion  74  includes a base protective film  6   c  composed of silicon oxide is formed on the substrate  6 , and an island-shaped semiconductor film  741  composed of polycrystalline silicon is formed on the base protective film  6   c , as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.  
     [0085] The thin-film transistor  723  is formed in the circuit element portion  74 . The semiconductor film  741  has a source region  741   a  and a drain region  741   b . The source region  741   a  and the drain region  741   b  are formed by an ion implantation of high-concentration P in the semiconductor film  741 . The part that does not have any P introduced thereto serves as a channel region  741   c.    
     [0086] A transparent gate insulating film  742  for covering the base protective film  6   c  and the semiconductor film  741  is formed in the circuit element portion  74 . A gate electrode  743  (scanning line  701 ) comprising Al, Mo, Ta, Ti, W, or the like is formed on the gate insulating film  742 . A first transparent interlayer insulating film  744   a  and a second transparent interlayer insulating film  744   b  are formed on the gate electrode  743  and the gate insulating film  742 . The gate electrode  743  is disposed at a position that corresponds to the channel region  741   c  of the semiconductor film  741 .  
     [0087] Contact holes  745  and  746 , which are respectively connected to the source and drain regions  741   a  and  741   b  of the semiconductor film  741 , are formed in the first and second interlayer insulating films  744   a  and  744   b , as shown in FIG. 11.  
     [0088] The contact hole  745  formed in second interlayer insulating film  744   b  is connected to a pixel electrode  711  formed on the second interlayer insulating film  744   b . The contact hole  746  formed in the first interlayer insulating film  744   a  is connected to the power supply lines  703 .  
     [0089] Control signal lines  705   a  for drive circuits and power supply lines  705   b  for drive circuits, which are connected to the scan-side drive circuits  705  are disposed in the circuit element portion  74 , as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.  
     [0090] The above-described storage capacitor cap and thin-film switching transistor  722  are formed in the circuit element portion  74 .  
     [0091] The display element  70  includes the plurality of pixel electrodes  711 , a plurality of light emitting element portions  71  provided thereon, and the cathodes  72  (counter electrodes) provided thereon. The pixel electrodes  711  are formed, for example, from transparent indium-tin oxide (ITO) and patterned into a rough rectangle when viewed in a plane, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The thickness of the pixel electrodes  711  is preferably within a range of 50 to 200 nm, and more particularly about 150 nm.  
     [0092] The light emitting element portions  71  primarily comprise a plurality of functional layers  710  formed on the pixel electrodes  711 , with a plurality of bank portions  712  for partitioning these functional layers  710 .  
     [0093] The functional layers  710  comprise a hole injection/transport layer  710   a  laminated to the pixel electrodes  711 , and a light emitting layer  710   b  (EL light emitting layer) proximally formed on the hole injection/transport layer  710   a , as shown in FIG. 11.  
     [0094] The hole injection/transport layer  710   a  serves to improve the luminous efficiency, service life, and other element characteristics of the light emitting layer  710   b . The hole injection/transport layer  710   a  has the function of injecting holes into the light emitting layer  710   b . Also hole injection/transport layer  710   a  has the function of transporting the holes through the hole injection/transport layer  710   a . A mixture of, for example, polyethylene dioxythiophene or another thiophene derivative with polystyrenesulfonic acid can be used as the material for the hole injection/transport layer  710   a . The hole injection/transport layer  710   a  is formed by coating the pixel electrodes  711  with a liquid containing the material of the hole injection/transport layer  710   a  or a precursor thereof. Specifically, in applying the liquid to the pixel electrodes  711 , the main scanning apparatus  11  and the substrate position controlling apparatus  14  are driven in the same manner as discussed above in the manufacture of the color filter  4 .  
     [0095] In the embodiment described herein, it was assumed that polypropylene or the like was the corrosion-resistant material used in the pressure absorbing portion  231 D and other components of the pressure absorbing apparatus  23 , but a cyclic olefin copolymer, polyparaphenylene benzoxazole, polyoxymethylene, polypropylene, or the like can also be used when the hole injection/transport layer  710   a  is molded. These resins, SUS, or the like can also be used for the filter  234  as well. Furthermore, perfluororubber, elastomer, butyl rubber, and silicone rubber can, for example, be used for the rubber bushing  24  in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.  
     [0096] The light emitting layer  710   b  is configured such that holes injected from the hole injection/transport layer  710   a  recombine with electrons injected through the cathode  72 , and light is emitted.  
     [0097] The light emitting layer  710   b  includes a red-color light emitting layer R, a green-color light emitting layer G, and a blue-color light emitting layer B, as shown in FIG. 9. An organic light-emitting material such as a tris(8-quinolinol)aluminum complex (Alq) or the like can be used as the material for the light emitting layer  710   b . In this case as well, the light emitting layer  710   b  can be formed by ejecting a liquid containing an organic light emitting material or a precursor thereof from the ejecting head  22  of the ejector apparatus  2 . In this situation, the corrosion-resistant material used for the pressure absorbing portion  231 D and other components of the pressure absorbing apparatus  23  is preferably a fluororesin, polyoxyethylene, or polypropylene. These resins, SUS, or the like can also be used for the filter  234  as well. Furthermore, for the rubber bushing  24  it is preferable to use, for example, fluororubber, of which perfluororubber (including perfluoroelastomers) is particularly preferred for this use.  
     [0098] The bank portions  712  are obtained by laminating an inorganic bank layer  712   a  (first bank layer) disposed on the side of the substrate  8 , and an organic bank layer  712   b  (second bank layer) disposed at a distance from the substrate  8 . Part of the inorganic bank layer  712   a  and part of the organic bank layer  712   b  are formed along the peripheral portions of the pixel electrodes  711 . Specifically, the inorganic bank layer  712   a  is formed so as to be superposed in a planar fashion in the peripheral portions of the pixel electrodes  711 . The organic bank layer  712   b  is formed in the same manner at planarly superposed positions in the peripheral portions of the pixel electrodes  711 .  
     [0099] The inorganic bank layer  712   a  is formed so as to reach the center side of the pixel electrodes  711  beyond the organic bank layer  712   b . The inorganic bank layer  712   a  preferably includes, for example, SiO 2 , TiO 2 , or another inorganic material. The thickness of the inorganic bank layer  712   a  is preferably within a range of 50 to 200 nm, and particularly about 150 nm.  
     [0100] The organic bank layer  712   b  can be formed from a material that has heat resistance and solvent resistance, such as an acrylic resin or polyimide resin. The thickness of the organic bank layer  712   b  is preferably within a range of 0.1 to 3.5 μm, and particularly about 2 μm.  
     [0101] The cathode  72  is fashioned into a rectangle, and is shaped so as to cover the entire surface of the light emitting element portions  71 , as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The cathode  72  can be formed by laminating, for example, a first layer  72   a  composed of calcium or the like, and a second layer  72   b  composed of aluminum or the like.  
     [0102] The second layer  72   b  is designed to reflect light generated from the light emitting layer  710   b  toward the substrate  6 , and is formed using Al or Ag. The second layer  72   b  can also be a laminated film comprising Al layers and Ag layers.  
     [0103] A protective layer can also be formed on the second layer  72   b  to prevent oxidation and composed of SiO, SiO 2 , SiN, or the like.  
     [0104] The cathode  72  can be formed by CVD, sputtering, vapor deposition through a mechanical mask, or the like.  
     [0105] The substrate  8  is fashioned into a rough rectangle, and is partitioned into a plurality of rectangular display regions  6   a  disposed on the inside (substrate center side), and a plurality of non-display regions  6   b  disposed on the outside (substrate periphery side) of the display regions  6   a , as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.  
     [0106] Symbol  6   d  designates dummy display regions formed in the non-display regions  6   b  at positions that are adjacent to the display regions  6   a.    
     [0107] In the description that follows, “top” and “bottom” indicate the top and bottom sides in FIG. 9, and “right” and “left” indicate the right-hand and left-hand sides in FIG. 9.  
     [0108] A flexible substrate  80  is attached to the bottom side  8   d  of the substrate  8 , and a drive IC  81  is mounted on the flexible substrate  80   
     [0109] The display regions  6   a  are regions in which the light emitting element portions  71  are arranged in a matrix, and are also called effective display regions.  
     [0110] In the non-display regions  6   b , the scan-side drive circuits  705  (scan-side drive circuits  705 R and  705 L) are provided to the circuit element portion  74  at positions that correspond to the right-hand and left-hand sides in the display regions  6   a.    
     [0111] The control signal lines  705   a  for drive circuits and the power supply lines  705   b  for drive circuits connected to the scan-side drive circuits  705 R and  705 L are disposed within the circuit element portion  74  at positions that correspond to the right-hand side of the scan-side drive circuits  705 R on the right, and to the left-hand side of the scan-side drive circuits  705  L on the left.  
     [0112] A testing circuit  706  is provided above the display regions  6   a  to allow the light emitting apparatus to be tested for quality or defects during manufacturing or at the time of shipping.  
     [0113] The first power supply line  703 G connected to the light emitting layer  710   b  for emitting green light is formed in the circuit element portion  74  at a position that corresponds to the top side of the testing circuit  706  and to right-hand side of the control signal line  705   a  for drive circuits on the right.  
     [0114] The first power supply line  703 G is fashioned into an L-shape that includes a first part  703 G 1  extending to the left and right on the top side of the testing circuit  706 , and a second part  703 G 2  extending up and down on the right-hand side of the control signal line  705   a  for the drive circuits.  
     [0115] The second power supply line  703 B connected to the light emitting layer  710   b  for emitting blue light is formed in the circuit element portion  74  at a position that corresponds to the top side of the first part  703 G 1  of the power supply line  703 G and to the right-hand side of the second part  703 G 2 .  
     [0116] The second power supply line  703 B is fashioned into an L-shape that includes a first part  703 B 1  extending to the left and right on the top side of the first part  703 G 1 , and a second part  703 B 2  extending up and down on the right-hand side of the second part  703 G 2 .  
     [0117] The third power supply line  703 R connected to the light emitting layer  710   b  for emitting red light is formed in the circuit element portion  14  at a position that corresponds to the top side of the first part  703 B 1  of the power supply line  703 B and to the left-hand side of the control signal line  705   a  for the drive circuits on the left.  
     [0118] The third power supply line  703 R is fashioned into an L-shape that includes a first part  703 R 1  extending to the left and right on the top side of the first part  703 B 1 , and a second part  703 R 2  extending up and down on the left-hand side of the control signal line  705   a  for the drive circuits.  
     [0119] Cathode (wiring for the counter electrode) wiring  73  connected to the cathode  72  is formed outside (substrate periphery side) of the power supply line  703 .  
     [0120] The cathode wiring  73  is fashioned into a horseshoe configuration that includes a first part  73   a , a second part  73   b , and a third part  73   c . The first part  73   a  is formed above the first part  703 R 1  of the third power supply line  703 R. The second part  73   b  is formed on the left-hand side of the second part  703 R 2  of the power supply line  703 R. The third part  73   c  is formed on the right-hand side of the second part  703 B 2  of the second power supply line  703 B.  
     [0121] The first part  73   a  in the light emitting apparatus  7  is formed so as to extend to the right and left along the top face  8   a  above the rectangular substrate  8 . One end portion and the other end portion of the first part  73   a  extend in the vicinity of one end portion of the top face  8   a  and the vicinity of the other end portion of the top face  8   a , respectively.  
     [0122] The second part  73   b  is shaped so as to extend up and down along the left face  8   b  in the left-hand portion of the rectangular substrate  8 . One end portion and the other end portion of the second part  73   b  extends in the vicinity of one end portion of the left face  8   b  and the vicinity of the other end portion of the left face  8   b , respectively.  
     [0123] The third part  73   c  is formed so as to extend up and down along the right face  8   c  in the left-hand portion the rectangular substrate  8 . One end portion and the other end portion of the third part  73   c  extends in the vicinity of one end portion of the top side  8   c  and the vicinity of the other end portion of the top side  8   c , respectively.  
     [0124] The cathode wiring  73  is preferably provided inwardly (toward the substrate center) from the periphery  72   c  of the cathode  72 . Specifically, the cathode wiring  73  is preferably shaped in a manner such that the periphery  73   e  (top edge of the first part  73   a , left edge of the second part  73   b , and right edge of the third part  73   c ) is closer to the substrate center away from the periphery  72   c  of the cathode  72 .  
     [0125] The distance between the periphery  73   e  of the cathode wiring  73  and the periphery  72   c  of the cathode  72  should be 1 mm or greater (preferably 2 mm or greater). If the distance is below this range, there is a danger that the contact area between the cathode  72  and the cathode wiring  73  will decrease and the electrical resistance therebetween will increase when the formation position of the cathode  72  is shifted. The width of the cathode wiring  73  is preferably set to be equal to or greater than the width of the power supply lines  703  (total width of the first to third power supply lines  703 G,  703 B, and  703 R). Keeping the width of the cathode wiring  73  below this range is unsuitable because the current flowing through the functional layers  710  will tend to decrease in this case.  
     [0126] The lower end portions  73   d ,  73   d  of the cathode wiring  73  (lower end portions of the second and third parts  73   b  and  73   c ) are connected to the drive IC  81  (drive circuit) on the flexible substrate  80  via a connecting wiring  80   a . The cathode wiring  73  can be configured by laminating a plurality of wiring layers. Examples of materials for such wiring layers include Al, Mo, Ta, Ti, W, Cu, TiN, and alloys thereof. The cathode wiring  73  can be formed from at least either one of the material for forming the scan lines  701  and the material for forming the signal lines  702 . Examples of such materials include Al, Mo, Ta, Ti, W, Cu, TiN, and alloys thereof.  
     [0127] The display region  6   a , the scan-side drive circuit  705 , the control signal line  705   a  for the drive circuit, the power supply line  705   b  for the drive circuit, the testing circuit  706 , the power supply lines  703 , and the cathode wiring  73  are formed inwardly (toward the substrate center) from the periphery  72   c  of the cathode  72 .  
     [0128] Specifically, the display region  6   a , the scan-side drive circuit  705 , the control signal line  705   a  for the drive circuit, the power supply line  705   b  for the drive circuit, the testing circuit  706 , the power supply lines  703 , and the cathode wiring  73  are formed so as to cover the cathode  72 .  
     [0129] The sealing portion  9 , which is designed to prevent the cathode  72  and the light emitting element portions  71  from being oxidized by the water, oxygen, and the like in the outside air, includes a seal substrate  94  and a sealing resin  93  for bonding the seal substrate  94  to the substrate  8 , as shown in FIG. 10. The seal substrate  94  is composed of glass, metal, synthetic resin, or the like, and is provided with a concavity  94   a  for accommodating the display element  70  on the bottom side thereof. The concavity  94   a  is preferably provided with a getter layer  95  for absorbing water, oxygen, and the like. The can seal substrate  94  is joined to the substrate  8  by the sealing resin  93  along the peripheral portion thereof. The sealing resin  93  is composed of a thermosetting resin, UV-curing resin, or the like, and is particularly preferably composed of epoxy resin, which is a type of thermosetting resin.  
     [0130] The sealing portion  9  is preferably shaped so as to cover the cathode  72 . Specifically, the periphery  93   a  of the sealing resin  93  is preferably shaped so as to be disposed outwardly (toward the substrate periphery) from the periphery  72   c  of the cathode  72 .  
     [0131] When a drive current flows from one of the power supply lines  703  to one of the pixel electrode  711  via the channel of the thin-film drive transistor  723  in the light emitting apparatus  7 , this current flows through the cathode wiring  73  via the functional layer  710  and the cathode  72 , and the functional layer  710  emits light in accordance with the value of the current.  
     [0132] The light generated by the functional layer  710  toward the substrate  6  is transmitted by the circuit element portion  74  and the substrate  6 , and is emitted toward the observer. The light emitted by the functional layer  710  toward the cathode  72  is reflected by the cathode  72 , transmitted by the circuit element portion  74  and the substrate  6 , and emitted toward the observer. Light can also be emitted from the cathode side by using a transparent material for the cathode  72 . For example, ITO, Pt, Ir, Ni, or Pd can be used as the transparent material.  
     [0133] The present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiments and includes any modifications, improvements, or other changes made within the scope in which the objects of the present invention can be attained.  
     [0134] For example, the manufacturing apparatus  1  was used in the above-described embodiments to manufacture the color filter  4  or the display element  70 , but possible applications are not limited by these types of manufacture. For example, other applications include: arrangements in which liquid metals, electroconductive materials, metal-containing pigments (or precursors thereof), or the like are ejected to obtain metal wiring or the like in order to form the electrical wiring of a printed circuit board; arrangements in which an optical member is formed by employing ejection to form minute micro-lenses on a base; arrangements in which a resist applied to a substrate is ejected so as to cover the necessary parts alone; arrangements in which light-scattering convexities, minute white patterns, or the like are formed by ejection on plastic or other translucent substrates or the like to form a light-scattering plate; arrangements in which a liquid crystal material used for a liquid crystal panel is applied to a base; arrangements in which oriented films for liquid crystal panels are formed by ejection; and arrangements in which RNA (ribonucleic acid) is ejected as spike spots that form a matrix on a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) chip to fabricate a fluorescent indicator probe and to perform hybridization on the DNA chip, or in which a sample, antibody, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), or the like is otherwise ejected at positions in a dot configuration partitioned on a base to form a biochip, as in chemical testing apparatuses or the like.  
     [0135] In the embodiments described above, it was assumed that the electrooptical device was incorporated into the personal computer  500 A or the portable phone  500 B, but it is also possible to incorporate this apparatus into an electronic organizer, pager, POS (point of sale) terminal, IC card, minidisk player, liquid crystal projector, engineering workstation (EWS), word processor, television, video tape recorder with a viewfinder or direct-view monitor, desktop computer, car navigation system, apparatus equipped with a touch panel, watch, gaming instrument, or other electronic apparatus.  
     [0136] In the embodiments described above, the pressure absorbing apparatus  23  was incorporated into the ejector apparatus  2  in which droplets were ejected based on electrical signals such as those shown in FIG. 2, but this option is nonlimiting, and the pressure absorbing apparatus  23  can also be incorporated into an ejector apparatus in which droplets are ejected by pneumatic pressure.  
     [0137] In the embodiments described above, it was assumed that the entire pressure absorbing portion  231 D or the like was made of a corrosion-resistant material, but the present invention can be implemented in any other manner as long as at least the surface in contact with the liquid is made of a corrosion-resistant material. It is therefore possible to form the pressure absorbing portion  231 D or the like from a resin that does not have corrosion resistance, and to coat solely the surface in contact with the liquid with the above-described corrosion-resistant material. Adopting this approach makes it possible to reduce the amount in which the corrosion-resistant material is used, and hence to reduce manufacturing costs.  
     [0138] In addition, polyethylene, polypropylene, fluororesin, polyoxymethylene, cyclic olefin copolymer, polyparaphenylene benzoxazole, and the like were cited as corrosion-resistant materials in connection with the above-described embodiments, but these materials are non-limiting. Specifically, any material can be used as long as this material has corrosion resistance against the liquid. It is possible, for example, to make an appropriate selection in accordance with the type of liquid, as shown in Table 1. In Table 1, the circles ◯ indicate “excellent”; the triangles Δ indicate “good”; the cross-outs x indicate “poor.” 
                       TABLE 1                                      LIQUID MATERIAL                                         Liquid   Liquid               Liquid   Material   Material           Material   for   for   Liquid           for   Liquid   Oriented   Material           Overcoat   crystal   film   for Resist                                             CORROSION-                       RESISTANT       MATERIAL       COC   ◯   ◯   ◯   X       PBO   X   ◯   ◯   ◯       POM   ◯   ◯   ◯   ◯       PE   X   Δ-X   ◯-Δ   ◯-Δ       PP   ◯   ◯   ◯   ◯                  
 
     [0139] In the rubber bushing  24  provided to the ejector apparatus  2 , the rubber bushing  24  as such comprised a fluororubber, elastomer, butyl rubber, or silicone rubber, but the rubber bushing  24  can also have a two-layer structure formed by applying a corrosion-resistant material to silicone rubber or another rubber material that has flexibility. When a two-layer structure is used, a fluororesin is preferably coated as the corrosion-resistant material because of the need to ensure adhesion to the rubber material.  
     [0140] In addition, the corrosion-resistant material is not limited to those listed, and it is sufficient to make an appropriate selection in accordance with the type of liquid, as shown, for example, in Table 2. In Table 2, the circles ◯ indicate “excellent”; the triangles Δ indicate “good”; the cross-outs x indicate “poor.” 
                       TABLE 2                                      LIQUID MATERIAL                                         Liquid   Liquid               Liquid   Material   Material           Material   for   for   Liquid           for   Liquid   Oriented   Material           Overcoat   Crystal   Film   for Resist                                             CORROSION-                       RESISTANT       MATERIAL       Perfluororubber   ◯   ◯   ◯   ◯       Silicone rubber   Δ   ◯   ◯   ◯       Butyl rubber   Δ-X   Δ   ◯   X       Elastomer   ◯   X   X   X                  
 
     [0141] The surface of the rubber bushing  24  in contact with the liquid can also comprise a corrosion-resistant material. This is because in the present invention the surfaces of the droplet inlet  231 A, the droplet outlets  231 B, the passage  231 C, and the pressure absorbing portion  231 D of the pressure absorbing apparatus  23  in contact with the liquid should be made of a corrosion-resistant material.  
     [0142] According to the present invention, an effect is achieved whereby it is possible to provide a pressure absorbing apparatus capable of ejecting droplets from the ejecting head in a stable manner irrespective of the properties of the liquid. This pressure absorbing apparatus is used in an ejector apparatus, that can be used to manufacture an electrooptical device having a color filter or an EL element, and that can be used to manufacture an electronic apparatus with this electrooptical device. A device having a base is manufactured with an ejected pattern that is formed by using the ejector apparatus.  
     [0143] The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.  
     [0144] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-196460. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-196460 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.  
     [0145] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Thus, the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.