Patent Publication Number: US-2019186019-A1

Title: Receiver unit for accepting a multitude of oblong bodies in a treatment tank

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims priority to German Patent Application 20 2017 103 607.3, filed on Jun. 19, 2017. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     No federal government funds were used in researching or developing this invention. 
     NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     SEQUENCE LISTING INCLUDED AND INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a receiver unit for accepting a multitude of oblong bodies in a treatment tank. 
     Background of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a receiver unit for accepting a multitude of oblong bodies in a treatment tank for treating the surface of oblong bodies. Furthermore, the invention relates to a treatment tank as well as a device for treating the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies, particularly tubes, with a treatment medium. 
     In particular for protecting bodies of metal from corrosion, their surfaces are phosphatized, for example. Due to a chemical reaction of metallic surfaces with aqueous phosphate solutions, phosphatizing leads to the formation of a conversion layer of tightly adhering metal phosphates. In order to allow this reaction to occur as homogeneously as possible over the entire surface of the bodies, said bodies must be pretreated prior to the actual phosphatizing, and after phosphatizing has occurred, they must be post-treated. A phosphatizing process may show for example the following steps: degreasing, rinsing, etching, activating, phosphatizing, rinsing, neutralizing, and saponifying. 
     Some of these steps, particularly rinsing and etching, are frequently performed repeatedly in succession. These steps are preformed respectively in a separate treatment tank, in which an appropriate, liquid treatment medium is contained, in which the bodies are immersed via an immersion device, and from which the bodies are then removed again. 
     In many cases, the bodies are formed as oblong bodies, for example rods, beams, or tubes. In particular for the treatment of the surfaces of tubes a multitude of tubes is combined to a bundle of tubes, with here a bundle of tubes potentially comprising 7 to 20 tubes. The bundles of tubes are typically held together by at least two holding tapes, which form receiver loops. The immersion device frequently comprises cranes, which can be moved over the treatment tank. The cranes engage the receiver loops with respective hooks and can this way transfer the bundles of tubes from one treatment tank to the next. 
     The treatment medium interacts in the above-mentioned steps with the surface with the respective treatment medium (sic). For example, in a chemical reaction between the treatment medium and the surface, the treatment medium is depleted in the proximity of the surface, such that the concentration of the reactant or reactants is lowered in the proximity of the surface. Based on this depletion, the reaction speed drops such that the exposure period of the bodies in the treatment tank must be extended, which increases the costs of the surface treatment. 
     The depletion of the treatment medium can be reduced with a movement of the treatment medium in the treatment tank. For this purpose, agitators may be provided in the treatment tank, which however require space in the treatment tank and which need considerable expense for equipment, so that the costs for establishing the treatment tank increase. Additionally, the operation and maintenance of the agitators lead to further costs. 
     In order to lower the depletion without any agitators, the bundles of tubes are raised and lowered with the cranes during the surface treatment, so that an exchange of the treatment medium occurs. This raising and lowering can be performed by the crane operator using his/her experience or in case of automatic cranes based on a predetermined process. In both cases the raising and lowering is based exclusively on experience and not performed using scientific foundations. In solid bodies, this process can sufficiently reduce the depletion; however, this method is appropriate for tubes to a limited extent only in order to effectively prevent the depletion of the treatment medium present inside the cavity enclosed by the tubes. With increasing length and reducing diameters of the tubes it becomes more and more difficult to sufficiently reduce the depletion. The exposure period must here be selected accordingly long. 
     The objective of an embodiment of the present invention is therefore to reduce the depletion of the treatment medium even when the surface of oblong bodies and, particularly, tubes shall be treated. This objective, with multiple advantageous embodiments, is attained by the features disclosed herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a preferred embodiment, a receiver unit for accepting a multitude of oblong bodies ( 14 ) in a treatment tank ( 22 ) for treating the surface of the oblong bodies ( 14 ), particularly tubes ( 38 ), via a treatment medium, which can be inserted in the treatment tank ( 22 ), with the receiver unit ( 34 ) being adjustable between an open position, into which the oblong bodies ( 14 ) are inserted and from which receiver unit ( 34 ) they can be removed, and a closed position, in which a guide opening ( 74 ) for the treatment medium forms and surrounds at least partially the oblong bodies ( 14 ). 
     In another preferred embodiment, the receiver unit as described herein, characterized in that the receiver unit ( 34 ) comprises a first part ( 58 ) that is or can be arranged fixed in the treatment tank ( 22 ) and at least one second part ( 66 ), fastened at the first part ( 58 ) and adjustable between the open position and the closed position. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the receiver unit as described herein, characterized in that the first part ( 58 ) forms a receiver section ( 60 ) with a receiver opening ( 64 ) via which the oblong body ( 14 ) can be inserted into the receiver opening ( 64 ) and the second part ( 66 ) closes the receiver opening ( 64 ) in the closed position. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the receiver unit as described herein, characterized in that the second part ( 66 ) is fastened rotationally at the first part ( 58 ), and particularly due to the force acting upon the second part ( 66 ) rotated into the closed position during the insertion of the oblong bodies ( 14 ) into the receiver section ( 60 ). 
     In another preferred embodiment, the receiver unit as described herein, characterized in that the second part ( 66 ) is fastened at the first part ( 58 ) such that the second part ( 66 ) comprises an actuator section ( 68 ) and a reset section ( 70 ), with the oblong bodies ( 14 ) when inserted into the receiver section ( 60 ) cooperating with the actuator section ( 68 ) and the reset section ( 70 ), resetting the second part ( 66 ) into the open position when the oblong bodies ( 14 ) are not cooperating with the actuator section ( 68 ). 
     In another preferred embodiment, a treatment tank ( 22 ) for treating the surfaces of a multitude of oblong bodies ( 14 ), particularly tubes ( 38 ) via a treatment medium, which can be inserted into the treatment tank ( 22 ), comprising a multitude of receiver units ( 34 ) arranged in the treatment tank ( 22 ) according to any of claims  1  to  5  for accepting the oblong bodies ( 14 ) in the treatment tank ( 22 ). 
     In another preferred embodiment, the treatment tank as described herein, characterized in that particularly the reset section ( 70 ) of the receiver unit ( 34 ) contacts a wall ( 24 ) of the treatment tank ( 22 ) in the open position. 
     In another preferred embodiment, a device for treating the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies ( 14 ), particularly tubes ( 38 ) with a treatment medium comprising 
     a treatment tank ( 22 ) for accepting the treatment medium, 
     a conveyer means ( 42 ) for conveying the treatment medium into the treatment tank ( 22 ), and 
     a multitude of receiver units ( 34 ) arranged in the treatment tanks ( 22 ) according to any of claims  1  to  5  for accepting the oblong bodies ( 14 ) in the treatment tanks ( 22 ), with the receiver unit ( 34 ) being adjustable between an open position in which the oblong bodies ( 14 ) can be inserted into the receiver unit ( 34 ) and removed from said receiver unit, and a closed position in which it forms a guide opening ( 74 ) for the treatment medium, at least partially surrounding the oblong bodies ( 14 ). 
     In another embodiment, the device for treating the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies as described herein, characterized in that 
     the treatment tank ( 22 ) comprises a first facial wall ( 26 ) and a second facial wall ( 28 ), 
     in the treatment tank ( 22 ) at least one supply line ( 46 ) extends, starting from the first facial wall ( 26 ) in the direction to the second facial wall ( 28 ), and 
     the conveyer means ( 42 ) communicates with the supply line ( 46 ) such that the treatment medium can be conveyed through the supply line ( 46 ) in the direction of the second facial wall ( 26 ,  28 ). 
     In another embodiment, the device for treating the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies as described herein, characterized in that 
     the receiver unit ( 34 ) comprises a first part ( 58 ) arranged fixed in the treatment tank ( 22 ) and at least one second part ( 66 ), fastened at the first part ( 58 ) adjustable between the open position and the closed position, and 
     the supply line ( 46 ) passes through the first part ( 58 ). 
     In another preferred embodiment, the device for treating the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies as described herein, characterized in that 
     a deflection device ( 48 ) is arranged in the treatment tank ( 22 ) which comprises an input and output wall ( 52 ) and an impact wall ( 50 ), with the input and output wall ( 52 ) showing a multitude of penetrating openings ( 54 ), and 
     the supply line ( 46 ) ending via the input and output wall ( 52 ) in the deflection device ( 48 ), and the treatment medium conveyed via the supply line ( 46 ) into the deflection device ( 48 ) being deflected by the impact wall ( 50 ) and the deflection device ( 48 ) exiting via the penetrating openings ( 54 ) of the input and output wall ( 52 ). 
     In another preferred embodiment, a deflection device for deflecting a treatment medium in a treatment tank ( 22 ) of a device ( 20 ) for treating the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies ( 14 ), particularly tubes ( 38 ), via the treatment medium which can be inserted into the treatment tank ( 22 ), with 
     the deflection device ( 48 ) comprising an input and output wall ( 52 ) and an impact wall ( 50 ), and the input and output wall ( 52 ) comprising a multitude of penetrating openings ( 54 ) and 
     allowing the treatment medium to be conveyed via the input and output wall ( 52 ) into the deflection device ( 48 ), can be deflected by the impact wall ( 50 ), and can leave the deflection device ( 48 ) via the penetrating openings ( 54 ) of the input and output wall ( 52 ). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a line drawing evidencing a generalized plan view of an arrangement with a multitude of treatment tanks for treating the surface of oblong bodies, 
         FIG. 2A  is a line drawing evidencing a treatment tank according to the invention based on a plan view, 
         FIG. 2B  is a line drawing evidencing a first detail of the treatment tank shown in  FIG. 2A  based on a perspective illustration, 
         FIG. 2C  is a line drawing evidencing a second detail of the treatment tank shown in  FIG. 2A  based on a perspective illustration, 
         FIG. 2D  is a line drawing evidencing an enlarged illustration, not to scale, of the details marked X in  FIG. 2A , 
         FIG. 2E  is a line drawing evidencing a cross-section along the sectional level marked B-B in  FIG. 2D , 
         FIG. 3A  is a line drawing evidencing a suggested receiver unit in the open position based on a side view, and 
         FIG. 3B  is a line drawing evidencing the receiver unit shown in  FIG. 3A  in the closed position, also based on a side view. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the invention refers to a receiver unit for accepting a multitude of oblong bodies in a treatment tank for treating the surface of oblong bodies, particularly tubes, via a treatment medium which can be inserted into the treatment tank, with the receiver unit being adjustable between an open position, in which the oblong bodies are inserted into the receiver unit and can be removed from said receiver unit, and a closed position in which it forms a guide opening for the treatment medium at least partially surrounding the oblong bodies. 
     An oblong body shall here represent a body which shows in one of the three spatial directions a considerably greater extension than in the two other spatial directions. When a body shows in one spatial axis a five-fold greater extension than in the other two spatial axes, this shall already define an oblong body. 
     The suggested receiver unit can be arranged in a treatment tank, in which the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies, particularly the surfaces of tubes, can be treated. In the open position of the receiver unit the oblong bodies, particularly a bundle of tubes, can be inserted into the receiver unit. In the closed position the oblong bodies can be surrounded by the receiver unit to such an extent that a guide opening is formed. 
     As mentioned at the outset, in treatment tanks not equipped with the suggested receiver unit the bundles of tubes are moved via a crane in the treatment medium in order to reduce the depletion. This requires that the crane is connected to the bundle of tubes during the entire surface treatment. During said surface treatment, it cannot be used for any other purposes, for example the transportation of other bundles of tubes. With the help of the suggested receiver unit the bundles of tubes can be fixed in the treatment tank such that the crane, during the surface treatment, no longer needs to be connected to the bundle of tubes and can be used for other purposes and thus used more effectively. 
     Furthermore, the guide opening formed by the receiver unit in the closed position leads to a guidance of the flow of the treatment medium in reference to the oblong bodies such that the depletion can also be reduced for the surface treatment of tubes to a sufficient extent without here any agitator being required or the need arising to move the bundles of tubes with the help of a crane during the surface treatment. 
     According to an aspect of another embodiment the receiver unit comprises a first part, arranged or to be arranged fixed in the treatment tank and at least one second part fastened at the first part in a manner adjustable between the open position and the closed position. In this embodiment, the entire receiver unit can be arranged inside the treatment tank such that no changes need to be made at the treatment tank itself. For example, it is not necessary to provide passages through the walls of the treatment tank in order to support mobile components of the receiver unit. The structural surcharge for equipping the treatment tank with the suggested receiver unit is therefore kept low. Additionally, existing treatment tanks can be retrofitted with relatively low expense with such a receiver unit according to this embodiment. 
     In another further developed embodiment the first part may form a receiver section with a receiver opening by which the oblong body can be inserted into the receiver opening, and the second part can close the receiver opening in the closed position. In this embodiment, the guide opening is formed both by the first part as well as the second part. In this embodiment, the treatment medium can be guided with simple means such that any depletion of the treatment medium is prevented to a sufficient extent. 
     In a further developed embodiment, the second part may be fastened rotationally at the first part and particularly can be rotated into the closed position due to the force acting upon the second part when the oblong body is inserted into the receiver section. When, for example, a bundle of tubes is inserted into the receiver section the force applied by the bundle of tubes upon the second part leads to a rotation of the second part from the open position into the closed position. Consequently, no additional drive devices are required in order to move the second part from the open position into the closed position. The equipment expense of the receiver unit and consequently that of the treatment tank is this way kept low. 
     Another further developed embodiment is characterized in that the second part is fastened at the first part such that the second part shows an actuator section and a reset section, with the oblong body upon insertion into the receiver section cooperating with the actuator section, and the reset section returning the second part into the open position when the oblong bodies are not cooperating with the actuator section. The reset section may comprise a spring for example, however the second part may also be fastened like a two-part lever in an articulate fashion at the first part, with the reset section in the closed position providing a greater torque than the actuator section when no oblong body is inserted into the receiver section. To this regard, the second part is not balanced in the closed position so that it rotates into the open position when no oblong body is inserted into the receiver section. This can be realized with the help of a respective mass distribution inside the second part. In this embodiment, the resetting into the open position is caused by the second part itself such that no separate reset means is required, allowing the structural expense to be kept low. 
     One embodiment of the invention refers to a treatment tank for treating the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies, particularly tubes, with a treatment medium, which can be inserted into the treatment tank, comprising a multitude of receiver units arranged in the treatment tank according to any of the previous embodiments for receiving oblong bodies in the treatment tank. 
     The technical effects and advantages that can be achieved with the suggested treatment tank are equivalent to those discussed for the present receiver unit. In summary, it shall be pointed out that any depletion of the treatment medium in the proximity of the surfaces of the oblong bodies to be treated, particularly tubes, can be reduced without here the use of any agitators or cranes being required. Consequently, the equipment expense of the treatment tank can be kept low and/or the crane can be used for other purposes during the surface treatment. 
     Based on an aspect of another embodiment particularly the reset section of the receiver unit contacts in the open position a wall of the treatment tank. Since treatment tanks comprise at least one wall, here no additional components are required to clearly define the open position. The equipment expense is therefore kept low, here. 
     One embodiment of the invention refers to a device for treating the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies, particularly tubes, with a treatment medium, comprising a treatment tank for receiving the treatment medium, a conveyer means for conveying the treatment medium into the treatment tank, and a multitude of receiver units arranged in the treatment tank according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments for receiving the oblong bodies in the treatment tank, with the receiver unit being adjustable between an open position, in which the oblong bodies can be inserted into the receiver unit and can be removed from said receiver unit, and a closed position in which it forms a guide opening for the treatment medium at least partially surrounding the oblong bodies. 
     The technical effects and advantages that can be achieved with the suggested device are equivalent to those discussed for the present receiver unit. In summary, it shall be pointed out that the depletion of the treatment medium in the proximity of the surfaces of the oblong bodies to be treated, particularly tubes, can be reduced without here the use of agitators or cranes being required in order to generate a relative motion between the treatment medium and the oblong bodies. Consequently, the structural design of the treatment tank can be kept low and/or the crane can be used for other purposes during the surface treatment. 
     Another embodiment is characterized in that the treatment tank shows a first facial wall and a second facial wall, with at least one supply line extending in the treatment tank, starting from the first facial wall in the direction towards the second facial wall, and the conveyer means communicating with the supply line such that the treatment medium can be conveyed through the supply line in the direction of the second facial wall. 
     As already discussed, the surface treatment of oblong bodies, particularly tubes, shall be improved. Accordingly, the treatment tank shows typically a rectangular form in a plan view. In this embodiment, at least one supply line is arranged in the treatment tank, which extends from the first facial wall of the treatment tank in the direction of the second facial wall and ends at a more or less wide distance in front of the second facial wall. Consequently, the treatment medium enters into the treatment tank with a flow aligned to the second facial wall and is deflected by the second facial wall towards the first facial wall. The oblong bodies and particularly the tubes are also arranged in the treatment tank such that they extend with their longitudinal axis essentially parallel in reference to the supply line. The treatment medium, deflected by the second facial wall, flows therefore essentially along the longitudinal axis of the tubes. The flow directed in this way leads to a particularly extensive reduction of the depletion of the treatment medium in the proximity of the surfaces of the oblong bodies to be treated. 
     Another embodiment is characterized in that the receiver unit comprises a first part arranged fixed in the treatment tank and at least one second part, fastened at the first part and adjustable between the open position and the closed position, and the supply line passes through the first part. The first part fastened fixed in the treatment tank can be used for fastening the supply line in the treatment tank such that no additional measures are required for fastening the supply line in the treatment tank, keeping the structural expenses low. Furthermore, the flow of the treatment medium from the first part is not disturbed until the treatment medium exits the supply lines. Consequently, the treatment medium can be guided in a targeted fashion particularly by the guide opening. 
     In another embodiment a deflection device can be arranged in the treatment tank which comprises an input and output wall and an impact wall, with the input and the output wall comprising a multitude of penetrating openings and the supply line ending via the input and output wall in the deflection device and that by the supply line any treatment medium conveyed into the deflection device is deflected by the impact wall and exits the deflection device again via the penetrating openings of the input and output wall. It is beneficial for the deflection device to be arranged near or abutting the second facial wall. The impact wall may be formed by the second facial wall. With the help of the deflection device the flow of the treatment medium can be guided in a targeted fashion. The number and arrangement of the penetrating openings can be adjusted to the number and arrangement of the oblong bodies to be treated and particularly the tubes. Consequently, the treatment medium exiting the deflection device can be guided in a targeted fashion to the tubes such that the depletion can be prevented in a particularly effective fashion. 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to a deflection device for deflecting a treatment medium in a treatment tank of a device for treating the surface of a multitude of oblong bodies, particularly tubes, by the treatment medium which can be introduced into the treatment tank, with the deflection device comprising an input and output wall and an impact wall, and the input and output wall showing a multitude of penetrating openings, and here the treatment medium can be conveyed via the input and output wall in the direction of deflection, can be deflected by the impact wall, and can exit the deflection device again via the penetrating openings of the input and output wall. The flow of the treatment medium inside the treatment tank can be guided with the help of the deflection device such that any depletion of the treatment medium in the proximity of the surfaces to be treated can be considerably reduced. 
     Detailed Description of the Figures 
       FIG. 1  shows a generalized plan view of an arrangement  10  with a multitude of treatment tanks  12  according to prior art for treating the surface of oblong bodies  14 . In the example shown, the arrangement  10  comprises a total of eleven treatment tanks  12   1 - 12   11 , with the number potentially being higher or lower depending on the type of surface treatment. Treatment tanks  12  are filled with a treatment medium, typically a liquid, according to the surface treatment to be performed in the treatment tank  12 . 
     Arrangement  10  comprises a conveyer cart  16 , mobile on the bottom, via which a multitude of oblong bodies  14  to be treated can be moved. Furthermore, the arrangement  10  comprises a crane  18 , which can be moved over the treatment tank  12 . 
     The oblong bodies  14  to be treated are loaded in a manner not shown onto the conveyer cart  16 , which then is moved into a transfer position in which the crane  18  can grasp the oblong bodies  14 . Subsequently, the crane  18  is moved such that it can immerse the oblong bodies  14  in the first treatment tank  12   1 . The crane  18  remains stationary over the first treatment tank  12   1  until the surface treatment in the first treatment tank  12   1  is concluded. In order to allow a relative motion between the treatment medium and the oblong bodies  14  the oblong bodies  14  are raised and lowered by the crane  18  in the treatment medium. 
     After the treatment has concluded the crane  18  removes the oblong bodies  14  from the first treatment tank  12   1 . The crane  18  is moved such that it can immerse the oblong bodies  14  in the second treatment tank  12   2 . This process is repeated until the oblong bodies  14  to be treated have passed through all treatment tanks  12 . Over the entire treatment period the crane  18  remains connected to the oblong bodies  14 . Subsequently, the completely treated oblong bodies  14  are returned by the crane  18  to the conveyer cart  16  and for example packed and shipped. Here, another conveyer cart  16  may be provided, not shown, which accepts the completely processed oblong bodies  14  at the eleventh treatment tank  12   11  such that the other conveyer cart  16  can already fetch a new multitude of additional oblong bodies  14 . 
       FIG. 2A  shows in a plan view a device  20  according to the invention for treating the surface of oblong bodies  36  with a treatment tank  22  according to the invention. Details of the treatment tank  22  are also shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2C  in a perspective view. 
     The treatment tank  22  according to the invention comprises a wall  24 , which includes a first facial wall  26  and a second facial wall  28 . Further, the wall  24  comprises a first side wall  30  and a second side wall  32 . Inside the treatment tank  22  a total of seven receiver units  34   1 - 34   7  are arranged, with respectively one of them being shown separately in the  FIGS. 3A and 3B . As particularly discernible from  FIG. 2C , the receiver units  34  serve for accepting a multitude of oblong bodies  36 , in the present case twenty tubes  38 , which are combined in a manner not shown to form a bundle of tubes  40 . 
     Furthermore the device  20  comprises two conveyer means  42 , which are embodied as pumps  44  and by which a treatment medium can be conveyed into the treatment tank  22 . The two conveyer means  42  are arranged in front of the facial wall  26  outside the treatment tank  22 . In the treatment tank  22  a total of two supply lines  46  are arranged, which pass through the first facial wall  26  and, starting from the first facial wall  26 , extend to the second facial wall  28 . The two supply lines  46  communicate with respectively one of the conveyer means  42  and end in a deflection device  48 , which is arranged abutting the second facial wall  28  in the treatment tank  22 , as particularly discernible from  FIG. 2D . 
     The deflection device  48  shown separately in  FIG. 2E  comprises an impact wall  50  and an input and output wall  52 . The supply lines  46  penetrate the input and output wall  52 . Additionally, the input and output wall  52  comprises a multitude of penetrating openings  54 . 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  each show separately the receiver units  34  according to the invention. In addition to the first facial wall  26 , the second facial wall  28  as well as the first side wall  30  and the second side wall  32 , the wall  24  of the treatment tank  22  also comprises a base  56 . 
     The receiver unit  34  comprises a first part  58 , which is fastened fixed in the treatment tank  22 , and which ends flush with the first side wall  30 , the second side wall  32 , and the base  56  of the wall  24 . Furthermore, the first part  58  shows a receiver section  60 , which in the example shown is embodied approximately V-shaped with an arc-shaped base  62  and forms a receiver opening  64  pointing away from the base  56 . 
     Additionally, the receiver unit  34  comprises two second parts  66 , which are fastened at the first part  58  in a manner rotational about an axis of rotation T. On the first side of the axis of rotation T the second part  66  forms an actuator section  68  and on the other side it forms a reset section  70 . 
       FIG. 3A  shows the receiver unit  34  in the open position. The reset section  70  is embodied, when compared to the actuator section  68 , such that it provides stronger torque than the actuator section  68  as long as no external force is actively applied upon the actuator section  68 . This can be realized by an appropriate distribution of weight inside the second part  66  in reference to the axis of rotation T. Due to the torque, the second part  66  moves automatically into the open position shown in  FIG. 3A  as long as no force is actively applied upon the actuator section  68 . The open position is defined such that the actuator section  68  is made to about one of the side walls  30 ,  32  of the wall  24  of the treatment tank  22 . In the open position the actuator section  68  moves over the receiver section  60 . In other words, the actuator section  68  engages in the open position a virtual extension of the receiver section  60  extending perpendicular to a direction shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
     Via the receiver opening  64  the tubes  38  can be inserted into the receiver section  60 . Due to the fact that the receiver section  60  is crossed by the actuator section  68  the actuator section  68  comes into contact with the tubes  38  during insertion thereof, thus a force is applied upon the actuator section  68  and rotating the second part  66  about the axis of rotation T into the closed position, which is shown in  FIG. 3B . 
     As already mentioned, the receiver section  60  shows an arc-shaped base  62 . The two parts  66  also show an arc-shaped section  72 . Both the arc-shaped base  62  as well as the arc-shaped sections  72  are sized such that in the closed position a circular guide opening  74  is formed, which completely surrounds the tubes  38 . 
     Furthermore, it is discernible from  FIGS. 3A and 3B  that in the first part  58  a total of two penetrating openings  76  are provided, through which respectively one of the supply lines  46  can be guided and defined. 
     The device  20  according to the invention is operated as follows: The treatment tank  22  is filled with the respective treatment medium. The bundle of tubes  40  is immersed by the crane  18  in the treatment tank  22  and consequently in the treatment medium, with the bundle of tubes  40  being entered into the receiver section  60  of the receiver unit  34 , being in the open position as discernible from  FIG. 3A . The bundle of tubes  40  is lowered until the lower tubes  38  rest on the base  62  of the receiver section  60 . The receiver unit  34  is here set to the closing position shown in  FIG. 3B . The crane  18  can then be separated from the bundle of tubes  40 . 
     With the pump  44  the treatment medium is suctioned via a drain, not shown, out of the treatment tank  22  and fed via the supply line  46  to the deflection device  48 . Here, as shown in  FIG. 2E  the treatment medium impinges the impact wall  50 , is deflected, and leaves the deflection device  48  via the penetrating openings  54  and enters the treatment tank  22 . The penetrating openings  54  are preferably arranged such that they are aligned with the tubes  38  when they are in the position shown in  FIG. 3B  and the receiver unit  34  is in the closed position. Additionally, the quantity, arrangement, and size of the penetrating openings  54  can be selected such that they match the tubes  38  inserted in the receiver unit  34  such that one penetrating opening  54  can be allocated to each tube  38 . 
     As discernible from  FIG. 3B  the first part  58  and the second part  66  of the receiver unit  34  completely block the treatment tank  22  except for the guide opening  74 . The treatment medium can therefore flow through the receiver unit  34  only along the guide opening  74  in which the tubes  38  are arranged. Consequently, the flow of the treatment medium is directed such that the tubes  38  are particularly well flown through or circulated. The conveyer means  42  are controlled here such that a turbulent flow develops in the tubes  38  which allows a particularly good substance transport between the surface to be treated and the treatment medium and largely eliminates any depletion of the treatment medium. The device  20  according to the invention is particularly suited for tubes  38  showing a diameter from 20 to 200 mm and a length from 3 to 20 m. A turbulent flow is yielded in the tubes  38  starting at a Reynolds count Re of approx. 2300. The flow speeds of the treatment medium required for this purpose in the tubes  38  depend on the diameter and length of the respective tubes  38 . 
     Based on the improved material transport the exposure period of the tubes  38  can be reduced in a treatment tank  22  by up to 30% in reference to prior art. If the number of devices  20  according to the invention is combined to an arrangement  10  according to  FIG. 1 , the crane  18  can be used considerably more effectively since it is not required, as is in prior art, that it remains connected to the bundle of tubes  40  over the entire surface treatment and thus cannot be moved during the entire surface treatment. Consequently, an arrangement  10  comprising the devices  20  according to the invention can be operated with considerably more efficiency than was the case in the past. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
     
         
           10  Arrangement 
           12   1 - 12   11  Treatment tank 
           14  Oblong body 
           16  Conveyer cart 
           18  Crane 
           20  Device 
           22  Treatment tank 
           24  Wall 
           26  First facial wall 
           28  Second facial wall 
           30  First side wall 
           32  Second facial wall 
           34 ,  34   1 - 34   7  Receiver unit 
           36  Oblong body 
           38  Tube 
           40  Bundle of tubes 
           42  Conveyer means 
           44  Pump 
           46  Supply line 
           48  Deflection device 
           50  Impact wall 
           52  Input and output wall 
           54  Penetrating opening 
           56  Base 
           58  First part 
           60  Receiver section 
           62  Arc-shaped base 
           64  Receiver opening 
           66  Second part 
           68  Actuator section 
           70  Reset section 
           72  Arc-shaped section 
           74  Guide opening 
           76  Penetrating opening 
         T Axis of rotation 
       
    
     The references recited herein are incorporated herein in their entirety, particularly as they relate to teaching the level of ordinary skill in this art and for any disclosure necessary for the commoner understanding of the subject matter of the claimed invention. It will be clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the above embodiments may be altered or that insubstantial changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is determined by the scope of the following claims and their equitable equivalents.