Abstract: A flat discharge lamp includes a projection formed on an outer surface of a case body. The projection forms a thick portion, which is relatively thick, in the case body. An intake-outtake port is formed in the thick portion so that it can receive a chip tube having an outer diameter of a size larger than or the same as a gap. The large chip tube can be coupled to a hermetic case without any limitations resulting from the gap of a discharge chamber (15). The large chip tube resists damaging and improves gas replacement efficiency in the discharge chamber without affecting discharge characteristics of the flat discharge lamp.

Abstract: In a flat-type discharge lamp composed of a first dielectric plate integrally formed at its inner surface with a plurality of spaced dielectric ribs at the same height defined by a specified discharge distance, a second dielectric plate assembled in parallel with the first dielectric plate to form a sealed space to be filled with inert gas, and electrodes in the form of a thin membrane respectively deposited on the outer surfaces of the dielectric plates, wherein the electrodes are applied with a specified voltage to cause discharge in inert gas filled in spaces among the dielectric ribs within the sealed space thereby to produce visible light on a light emitting surface formed on at least one of the electrodes, the first dielectric plate is formed at its outer peripheral edge with an outer peripheral frame having a support surface of the same height as the dielectric ribs, the second dielectric plate being bonded by an adhesive coated in a recess formed along one side of the support surface and secured tight