High-Capacity UV-C Decontamination for Frequently Used Equipment

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The Kart Kleen Unit was the product that started Big Sky Decon. Founder Jason Gardiner originally began looking at decontamination technology after questioning how effectively heavily used shopping carts could be treated between customers. That idea eventually developed into a larger line of Big Sky Decon decontamination products for businesses, first responders, healthcare-related environments, manufacturing, vehicles, and other applications.

The Kart Kleen Unit remains built around the original problem: how do you efficiently treat large numbers of frequently handled objects without relying on repeated chemical spraying and hand wiping?

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The unit uses a conveyor-style system equipped with ultraviolet germicidal lights. It can accommodate up to 15 shopping carts at one time and can also be used with medical beds, hospital gurneys, wheelchairs, and waiting room lounge chairs. The system measures approximately 13.5 feet long, 4.5 feet wide, and 5.5 feet high.

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That capacity is what separates the Kart Kleen Unit from Big Sky Decon's smaller enclosed products. The Incident Response Bag, for example, is intended for individual pieces of equipment and protective gear, while the Area Decon Unit is a portable open-system unit used to treat exposed surfaces and larger areas. Kart Kleen was developed for larger objects and higher-volume workflows.

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How the Kart Kleen Unit Uses UV-C

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Big Sky Decon uses ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, or UVGI, throughout its product line. UV-C energy can inactivate microorganisms by damaging the DNA or RNA they need to reproduce.

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The practical part is getting enough germicidal UV-C energy onto the surfaces being treated. Big Sky Decon doesn't base its technology simply on having an ultraviolet bulb present. The company tests its products by looking at UV-C dosage and how the equipment delivers that energy to the intended treatment area.

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You can review more information about the technology, testing, and UV-C dose measurements on The Science Behind Big Sky Decon Products.

Kart Kleen provides that treatment without requiring chemical disinfectants as the UV-C mechanism itself. For businesses processing many carts, chairs, wheelchairs, or similar objects, this can reduce the need to manually apply a chemical treatment to each individual item as the primary decontamination step.

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Built for More Than Shopping Carts

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The name comes from where the idea began, but the equipment isn't limited to grocery carts.

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The Kart Kleen Unit was built to accommodate objects that can move through its conveyor system, including:

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• Shopping carts

• Wheelchairs

• Hospital gurneys

• Medical beds that fit within the unit

• Waiting room lounge chairs

 

The current Kart Kleen system has been tested by a major grocery store chain and by a medical clinic in Missoula, Montana. Those applications were used to evaluate the system with shopping carts and waiting room seating.

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For an organization considering the unit, object dimensions and workflow matter. The first question should be whether the items being treated can move safely through the system and whether Kart Kleen fits the organization's normal handling process.

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Where Kart Kleen Fits Into Big Sky Decon

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Kart Kleen eventually became something much larger than a single shopping-cart project.

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Big Sky Decon now develops specialized UV-C decontamination equipment for different types of contamination and different working environments. The company also provides professional decontamination services for homes, businesses, vehicles, and other spaces.

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That matters because a conveyor system isn't the answer to every decontamination problem. A police department treating uniforms may need an enclosed unit. A contaminated patrol vehicle may call for an adjustable Area Decon Unit. Manufacturing facilities dealing with bacteria and tramp oil in machine coolant can use the Coolant Decontamination Unit.

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Kart Kleen fills a different role. It's the high-capacity option for organizations that repeatedly handle larger movable objects and need a consistent UV-C decontamination process built into their workflow.

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You can learn more about how the company developed from the original Kart Kleen concept on the Big Sky Decon About Us page.

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Kart Kleen Unit

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What is the Big Sky Decon Kart Kleen Unit?

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The Kart Kleen Unit is a conveyor-style ultraviolet decontamination system developed by Big Sky Decon. It was the company's original product and was initially developed around the need to decontaminate heavily used shopping carts.

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How many shopping carts can the Kart Kleen Unit handle?

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The Kart Kleen Unit can accommodate up to 15 shopping carts at one time. Actual use should follow Big Sky Decon's operating instructions and the dimensions of the objects being treated.

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Can Kart Kleen be used for equipment other than shopping carts?

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Yes. Big Sky Decon lists medical beds, hospital gurneys, wheelchairs, and waiting room lounge chairs among the items the unit can accommodate. Organizations should confirm that their specific equipment fits within the unit before purchasing or planning an installation.

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Does the Kart Kleen Unit use chemicals?

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The Kart Kleen Unit uses ultraviolet germicidal technology as its decontamination method rather than relying on chemical disinfectants to generate the treatment. Normal cleaning procedures may still be necessary when an item has dirt, debris, fluids, or other material that needs to be physically removed.

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Has the Kart Kleen Unit been tested in working environments?

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Yes. Big Sky Decon states that the Kart Kleen Unit has been successfully tested by a major grocery store chain and a medical clinic in Missoula, Montana, including applications involving shopping carts and waiting room lounge chairs.

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How large is the Kart Kleen Unit?

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The unit measures approximately 13.5 feet long, 4.5 feet wide, and 5.5 feet high. Businesses evaluating the system should consider both the equipment footprint and the space needed to move objects into and out of the conveyor system.

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How can I find out if Kart Kleen will work for my facility?

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Contact Big Sky Decon with information about the objects you need to treat, their approximate dimensions, and how frequently they move through your facility. The team can help determine whether the Kart Kleen Unit or another Big Sky Decon product makes more sense for the application.

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Talk With Big Sky Decon About the Kart Kleen Unit

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If your business or organization regularly handles shopping carts, wheelchairs, gurneys, seating, or other frequently used equipment, the Kart Kleen Unit may provide a practical way to add UV-C decontamination to the existing workflow.

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Big Sky Decon can help you compare Kart Kleen with its other UV-C decontamination systems and determine which type of equipment fits the objects and areas you need to treat.

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Contact Big Sky Decon or call (406) 334-2657 to ask about the Kart Kleen Unit, product availability, installation considerations, or other decontamination applications.