Patent ID: 7749036

Claim:
A method for manufacturing a flat fluorescent lamp having a plurality of discharge channels, the method comprising: forming a first substrate comprising the plurality of discharge channels, a gas inlet formed on a same surface as the plurality of discharge channels that is connected to the plurality of discharge channels, an exhaust pipe that is connected to the gas inlet, and a plurality of connection paths that connects the plurality of discharge channels to each other, wherein the gas inlet extends upward from the fluorescent lamp when the fluorescent lamp is in an upright position and an outlet of the exhaust pipe extends downward from the fluorescent lamp when the fluorescent lamp is in the upright position; attaching the first substrate to a second substrate opposed to the first substrate; exhausting gases that exist within the plurality of discharge channels; supplying an inert gas and a mercury vapor into the plurality of discharge channels; sealing the plurality of discharge channels; and removing the gas inlet and the exhaust pipe.