Anode holder and plating apparatus

An anode holder that holds an anode used in a plating apparatus, the anode holder is configured to be vertically received in a space housing plating solution of a plating bath of the plating apparatus during a plating process, the anode holder comprising:

• an internal space of the anode holder that is formed on an inside of the anode holder and that houses the anode therein;
• a diaphragm configured so as to cover a front face of the internal space of the anode holder;
• a hole that is formed on an external surface of the anode holder and which communicates the space housing the plating solution of the plating bath with the internal space of the anode holder;
• a valve that seals the hole shut;
• a biasing member that biases the valve to close;
• an operation part that operates the valve so as to open;
• a gripped part to be gripped when the anode holder is transported;
• a shaft of which one end is connected to the valve and of which another end is connected to the biasing member;
• an intermediate member of which one end is connected to the shaft and of which another end is connected to the operation part;
• a pivot that rotatably fixes the intermediate member;
• wherein the operation part is provided in the gripped part;
• wherein the operation part is a push rod of which one end protrudes from the gripped part and of which another end is connected to said another end of the intermediate member;
• and
• wherein when the push rod is pressed down into an inside of the gripped part, the valve moves in a direction opposite to a direction of a biasing force of the biasing member.