Dust and allergen control for surface cleaning apparatus

A system comprising a vacuum cleaner comprising a dirt collection region and an apparatus for receiving dirt from the dirt collection region of the vacuum cleaner, the dirt collection region having an openable door, a closure member securing the openable door in a closed position, and a biasing member biasing the openable door to move between an open position in which dirt is emptyable from the dirt collection region and the closed position, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) an air flow passage from an inlet port to a clean air outlet;
• (b) an air treatment member positioned in the air flow passage downstream from the inlet port, the air treatment member comprising an openable portion and a stationary portion, the stationary portion comprising an upper end, a lower end, and an interior volume that extends from the upper end to the lower end, the interior volume comprising an apparatus dirt collection region;
• and
• (c) a release actuator which engages a portion of the vacuum cleaner whereby the closure member is moved to an unlocked position in which the closure member is disengaged from the openable door and the openable door is moveable to the open position,
• wherein the dirt collection region of the vacuum cleaner is removably positionable in air flow communication with the inlet port whereupon, when the dirt collection region of the vacuum cleaner is docked with the apparatus and the system is in an emptying mode of operation, a motor and fan assembly of the system produces a flow of air that conveys dirt from the dirt collection region of the vacuum cleaner to the air treatment member of the apparatus.