Cleaning apparatus

1. An apparatus for a cleaning process, comprising:

a cabinet operatively connected to a delivery unit for storing and supplying cleaning media and an evacuation device for collecting used cleaning media and debris generated during the cleaning process;

the cabinet including a support structure, and a plurality of panels defining a cleaning chamber and a hopper separated by a shelf;

one of the plurality of panels configured as an access panel including a viewing aperture and at least one port formed adjacent the viewing aperture;

a cover including a transparent element and an overhanging portion;

the cover removably connected to the access panel such that the transparent element is aligned with the viewing aperture to provide a line of sight;

a gasket disposed on the cover for contact with the access panel to seal an interface between the cover and the access panel;

the overhanging portion including an element discontiguous with the access panel which defines a gap when the cover is removably connected to the access panel;

wherein activation of the evacuation device during the cleaning process removes used cleaning media and debris from the cabinet by drawing air through the gap and each at least one port, whereby visibility along the line of sight is increased.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the delivery unit comprises a container for cleaning media, which includes a refill port and a safety device operatively connected to the refill port for relieving pressure in the container; the refill port is adapted for operative connection to a media source for refilling the cleaning media; the refill port includes a wall configured to define a bore; the wall having an outer surface including a coupling element formed thereon; the wall having an inner surface including a first connection element formed thereon; the safety device including a head and a shaft extending from the head at a shoulder; the shaft including a second connection element complimentary to the first connection element for operative engagement therebetween; a bore and at least one vent; the bore extends through the shaft from a free end of the shaft to an inner end adjacent the shoulder; each at least one vent is disposed adjacent the inner end and extends from the bore through a wall of the shaft; wherein the safety device relieves pressure in the container when the safety device is partially disengaged from refill port such that each at least one vent is exposed to enable communication between the pressurized container and an environment exterior of the safety device.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 , wherein the refill port is configured as a male cam lock fitting.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 , wherein the first and second connection elements are screw threads.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 , further including a gasket disposed adjacent the shoulder to seal an interface between the safety device and the refill port.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 , wherein the head further includes a grip enhancing feature.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 , wherein the grip enhancing feature includes a knurled surface.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 , wherein the grip enhancing feature includes a plurality of flat surfaces normal to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 , wherein each at least one vent is configured to generate an audible tone responsive to relieving pressure through the vent.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the cover further includes a diverter channel in communication with each at least one port for redirecting air drawn into the cabinet across the transparent element.

11. A blast cabinet cleaning apparatus including a delivery unit, said delivery unit comprising:

a container for cleaning media which includes a refill port and a safety device;

the safety device operatively connected to the refill port for relieving pressure in the container;

the refill port adapted for operative connection to a media source for refilling the container with cleaning media;

the refill port including a wall configured to define a bore;

the wall having an outer surface including a coupling element formed thereon;

the wall having an inner surface including a first connection element formed thereon;

the safety device including a head and a shaft extending from the head at a shoulder;

the shaft including a second connection element complimentary to the first connection element, a bore and at least one vent;

the bore extends through the shaft from a free end of the shaft to an inner end adjacent the shoulder;

each at least one vent disposed adjacent the inner end extending from the bore through a wall of the shaft;

wherein the safety device relieves pressure in the container when the safety device is partially disengaged from the refill port such that each at least one vent is exposed to enable communication between the pressurized container and an environment exterior of the safety device.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the refill port is configured as a male cam lock fitting.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the first and second connection elements are screw threads.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , further including a gasket disposed adjacent the shoulder to seal an interface between the safety device and the refill port.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the head further includes a grip enhancing feature.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the grip enhancing feature includes a knurled surface.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the grip enhancing feature includes a plurality of flat surfaces normal to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein each at least one vent is configured to generate an audible tone responsive to relieving pressure through the vent.

19. A blast cabinet cleaning apparatus including a media transfer system for refilling a delivery unit, said media transfer system comprising:

a cleaning media source;

the delivery unit including a container having a refill port and a vacuum port;

the delivery unit further including a safety device operatively connected to the refill port for relieving pressure in the container when the safety device is partially disconnected from the refill port;

a conduit operatively connecting the cleaning media source to the refill port after the safety device has been removed;

a vacuum source operatively connected to the vacuum port;

wherein, a vacuum generated by the vacuum source draws media from the media source, through the conduit and refill port and into the delivery unit.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 19 , wherein the vacuum source is an evacuation device for collecting used cleaning media.

21. The apparatus as recited in claim 19 , wherein the vacuum source is a vacuum pump.

22. The apparatus as recited in claim 19 , wherein the cleaning media source includes a bulk container of cleaning media.

23. The apparatus as recited in claim 19 , wherein the conduit includes a standpipe for insertion into a bulk container of cleaning media.

24. An apparatus for a cleaning process, comprising:

a cabinet operatively connected to a delivery unit for storing and supplying cleaning media and an evacuation device for collecting used cleaning media and debris generated during the cleaning process;

the evacuation device including a base container, a transition collar and a power head assembly;

the base container including a bottom and a wall extending upwardly from a perimeter of the bottom;

the transition collar including an air inlet port operatively in fluid communication with the cabinet and operatively connected to the base container;

the power head assembly operatively connected to the transition collar including a cover assembly, a filter and a conical element;

the cover assembly including a lid, a motor connected to one side of the lid and a blower connected to another opposite side of the lid;

the filter connected to the blower;

the conical element including a sidewall, a bottom wall and a mounting flange which cooperatively define a receptacle for receiving the filter;

the bottom wall including an aperture formed therein to define passageway for air;

the mounting flange including a plurality of apertures for connecting the conical element to the blower;

wherein, activation of the motor moves the blower to generate a vacuum in the evacuation device such that air, used cleaning media and debris is drawn through the air inlet port and continues to move in a cyclonic motion within the base container about the conical element so that the used cleaning media and debris are disposed about the perimeter of the base container bottom wall and the air is drawn through the aperture and the filter for discharge to the atmosphere.

25. The apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein the air inlet port is tangential.

26. The apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein a bolt-ring assembly connects the transition collar to the base container and the power head assembly.

27. The apparatus as recited in claim 24 , wherein a gaslut is disposed between the transition collar and the base container and the power head assembly to seal the evacuation device.