Patent ID: 7101588

Claim:
A method of forming a resin layer on a flat plate having first and second main surfaces which are opposite to each other, the method comprising: locating the flat plate on a raised portion of a stage which supports the flat plate whereby an upper surface of an upper portion of a guide member is at generally a same level as that of the first main surface of the flat plate, wherein the upper portion of the guide member is in contact with a side surface of the flat plate, and a side surface of the guide member adjacent to the flat plate extends downward beyond the second main surface of the flat plate, so that a gap is formed between the side surface of the guide member and a side surface of the raised portion of the stage and between the side surface of the guide member and the side surface of the flat plate; spin coating a curable resin composition onto the first main surface of the flat plate and the upper surface of the upper portion of the guide member; removing the flat plate from the stage and the guide member; and curing the curable resin composition on the first main surface of the flat plate to form the resin layer after the removing of the flat plate from the stage and the guide member.