Gas wash solution heater for conveyorized washing machines

Claim 1

IN AN ARTICLE WASHER OF THE TYPE HAVING A LIQUID RESERVOIR TANK, A SPRAY CHAMBER ARRANGED ABOVE SAID RESERVOIR TANK, MEANS FOR CONVEYING ARTICLES THROUGH SAID SPRAY CHAMBER, LIQUID SPRAY MEANS ARRANGED TO DIRECT LIQUID ONTO ARTICLES TRANSPORTED BY SAID CONVEYOR MEANS AND INCLINED DRAINAGE MEANS EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY BETWEEN SAID SPRAY MEANS AND SAID RESERVOIR TANK, AND MEANS TO PASS HIGH TEMPERATURE GASES THROUGH SAID RESERVOIR TANK, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A VERTICAL DUCT PORTION CONNECTING TO SAID LAST MENTIONED MEANS, ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID HIGH TEMPERATURE GASES AND ROUTING SAME UPWARDLY FROM SAID RESERVOIR TANK EXTERIOR OF SAID INCLINED DRAINAGE MEANS, AND OUTLET MEANS AT THE UPPER END OF SAID DUCT PORTION DISPOSED AT A LEVEL ABOVE THE LEVEL OF SAID DRAINAGE MEANS, SAID OUTLET MEANS BEING REMOVED FROM THE SPRAY IN SAID SPRAY CHAMBER AND ADAPTED TO EMIT SAID HIGH TEMPERATURE GASES TO ACCOMPLISH A DIRECT CONTACT SECONDARY HEATING OF THE LIQUID EMITTED FROM SAID SPRAY MEANS SUBSTANTIALLY BEFORE ITS CONTACT WITH THE ARTICLES TO BE WASHED THEREBY SUBSTANTIALLY AVOIDING HEATING OF THE SPENT LIQUID.