Counterflow spray rinse process

Claim 1

A process for rinsing an article treated with a solution of initial concentration, comprising the steps of: (a) immersing an article in a chemical solution of initial concentration within a first bath, (b) raising said article from said first bath to a first spraying position vertically above said first bath, (c) spraying said article in said first spraying position with a first rinse solution from a second bath downstream of said first bath, said first rinse solution being of lesser concentration than said chemical solution, the sprayed first rinse solution, not adhering to said article, falling into said first bath, (d) transferring said article from said first spraying position to a position over said second bath, (e) lowering said article into said second bath to immerse said article in said first rinse solution, (f) raising said article from said second bath to a second spraying position vertically above said second bath, (g) spraying said article in said second spraying position with a second rinse solution of lesser concentration than said first rinse solution, a third bath downstream of said second bath, said the sprayed second rinse solution, not adhering to said article, falling into said second bath.