Value printing device warning function for replacing an inking member

Claim 1

In a value printing device, a system for automatically indicating to an operator thereof that an inking member therein should be replaced after a fixed number of inking cycles has been run, said system comprising: (a) first electrical means capable of storing said fixed cycle number and comparing it to the number of cycles actually run at any given time, and which will generate a first electrical impulse when the last cycle of said fixed cycle number has been run; (b) second electrical means for generating a second electrical impulse when a new inking member has been placed in said device, wherein said second electrical impulse causes said first electrical means to commence a count of inking cycles; (c) third electrical means automatically activatable by said first electrical means for generating a signal which is sensible to an operator of said printing device when the last inking cycle of said fixed number has been run; (d) a cartridge having a housing for receiving an inking member, said cartridge housing having an opening therein covered by a pierceable membrane; (e) piercing means mounted within said value printing device in substantial alignment with said housing opening; and (f) means for causing relative movement between said cartridge and said piercing means; wherein, (g) said relative movement causes said piercing means to enter said cartridge housing opening to pierce said membrane, and wherein the piercing force causes said second electrical means to generate said second electrical impulse.