Abstract: Articles 12 are mounted in a holder 24 and the holder is floatingly supported on a liquid 16 such that only portions 53 of the articles 12 to be treated in the liquid 16 become immersed to a predetermined depth therein. The relative position of the holder 24 with respect to the surface 14 of the liquid remains constant, even though the level of the liquid may change with respect to a tank which holds the liquid. A substantially self-supporting electrical conductor 45 mounted to fixed external structures and tied to the floating holder couples the articles 12 into an electrolytic treating circuit 56 without noticeably changing the immersion depth of the articles. The floating support frame 11 of the holder 24 also includes buoyant blocks 41 which are adjustably mounted with respect to a rigid support structure 17. A lateral shifting of the blocks 41 with respect to the structure adjusts the orientation of the frame 11 and the holder 24 with respect to the surface of the liquid.

Abstract: End portions of a plurality of articles (12) are simultaneously treated in an electrolytic bath. End portions of the articles are inserted into an array of apertures (17) extending between major surfaces of a planar holder (11). Inserting the articles (12) into the apertures guides them into an interfering contact with coil springs (28). Coils of the springs (28) are urged aside and provide an urging force to retain the articles in the holder (11). The contact of the springs (28) with the articles (12) also establishes electrical continuity between the articles (12) through the springs (28) to external ends (43) of anchoring rods (37) for the springs, such that when the ends (43) are coupled into a treating circuit and protruding ends of the articles depend into a treating bath such ends become treated. A frame located relative to the surface of the treating bath receives the holder (11) and establishes a reference for the depth of insertion of the articles into the bath.