Method for coating objects

A method for the electrophoretic application of a polymeric coating to an object having an elongate portion on a continuous belt, comprising:

• feeding the object onto the continuous belt by a feeding mechanism;
• positioning the object to engage a retaining member, the retaining member engaging the continuous belt such that a retaining portion on the retaining member releasably retains the elongate portion of the object to the belt;
• conveying the continuous belt with a drive mechanism;
• electrophoretically coating the object on the continuous belt;
• drying the coating on the object;
• and
• releasing the object from the retaining member.

A method for the electrophoretic application of a polymeric coating to an object having an elongate portion on a continuous belt, comprising:

• feeding the object onto the continuous belt by a feeding mechanism;
• positioning the elongate portion of the object between a retaining member and a guide member engaging the continuous belt, such that the object is releasably retained therebetween, the retaining member and the guide member positioned to form a retaining unit on the belt, the guide member having a base portion that engages the continuous belt and including a sloping portion having a decreasing height as measured from its base, the retaining member having an arm portion to releasably retain the object between the guide member and the retaining member;
• conveying the continuous belt with a drive mechanism;
• electrophoretically coating the object on the continuous belt;
• drying the object;
• and
• releasing the object from the retaining unit.