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 apparatus comprising:

• (a) an air flow passage from an inlet port to a clean air outlet, wherein the dirt collection region of the vacuum cleaner is positionable in air flow communication with the inlet port;
• and,
• (b) an air treatment member positioned in the air flow passage downstream from the inlet port, the air treatment member comprising an apparatus dirt collection region,
• wherein the apparatus is configured to be free standing on a floor and, when the apparatus is standing on the floor, the apparatus has an upper end which has the inlet port, and the dirt collection region of the vacuum cleaner is moved in a downward direction to an emptying position in which the dirt collection region of the vacuum cleaner is in air flow communication with the inlet port, and
• wherein, 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 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.