Venetian blind cleaning system

A method for cleaning slatted light-diffusing structures comprising:

• providing a foraminous carrier belt arranged to rotate in an endless loop about horizontally spaced drive and idler assemblies to define first and second runs, said second run of the carrier belt passing successively through a washing chamber, one or more rinse chambers, and a drying chamber;
• attaching a slatted structure to the first run of said belt, said slatted structure being mounted with the slats thereof extending generally vertically, and being under tension to maintain separation between the said slats;
• rotating said drive assembly to move said belt and advance the slatted structure thereon through said chambers;
• applying washing liquids under pressure through spray nozzles against both sides of the slatted structure in said washing chamber;
• applying rinse liquid against both sides of said slatted structure in said one or more rinse chamber;
• and
• applying hot air against both sides of said slatted structure in said drying chamber to dry said slatted structure;
• and
• maintaining said slatted structure under tension after it exits from the drying chamber until it has cooled sufficiently to prevent significant shrinkage thereof, and detaching said cleaned slatted structure when it returns to the first run of the belt.