Patent ID: 8588643

Claim:
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image bearing member to bear a toner image; a waste toner storage mechanism to store residual toner; and an intermediate transfer unit removably installable in the image forming apparatus and disposed opposite the image bearing member, the intermediate transfer unit including an intermediate transfer member onto which the toner image is transferred, a cleaning device disposed opposite the intermediate transfer member, the cleaning device removing residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member after the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer member onto a recording medium, the residual toner being stored in the waste toner storage mechanism, and a connecting mechanism to connect the cleaning device and the waste toner storage mechanism, the connecting mechanism including a connecting tube and a moving device, the connecting tube being movable between a first position and a second position, the moving device moving the connecting tube between the first position and the second position, the connecting tube engaging the cleaning device and the waste toner storage mechanism at the first position, and separating the cleaning device from the waste toner storage mechanism at the second position, wherein the moving device comprises a lever that prevents the intermediate transfer unit from moving to a proximal side in the image forming apparatus in a state in which the connecting tube is at the first position.