Holding apparatus for a dip coating apparatus

An apparatus for holding a hollow cylindrical body with openings at both ends during a dip coating process, the apparatus comprising:

• a flange member having a central hollow cylinder insertable into the hollow cylindrical body and a base formed around and perpendicular to one end of the hollow cylinder;
• a housing secured to the base of said flange member to form a fluid chamber;
• a first pressing member fastened to the hollow cylinder of said flange member;
• a shaft member extending through the hollow cylinder of said flange member, wherein said shaft member is hollow to allow fluid to pass through the hollow shaft member and into the fluid chamber during the dip coating process;
• a second pressing member fastened to said shaft member;
• a fluid-filled flexible bag member located between said first pressing member and said second pressing member;
• and
• means of moving said shaft member to move said first pressing member relative to said second pressing member to cause said flexible bag member to expand laterally to contact the inside of said hollow cylindrical body to hold said hollow cylindrical body.