I'm All Out

Alan Schechter , United States

My invention solves a need, overcomes a source of frustration, is a time and hassle saver, and also can also potentially save lives. This device can also prevent wives from yelling at their husbands. This invention has multiple uses, albeit solving a similar problem in each case/use.

I am a successful, serial entrepreneur. I have 22 United States patents. I like to think that my patents have improved the quality of life. I have started several companies and have orchestrated the turn-around of two other companies. All of my experience is in medical devices, biotech, and healthcare services. I have several degrees in biochemistry and an MBA in finance.

I am interested in innovation because people and society cannot improve if we do not innovate. Innovation is making the world a better place. It is our nature to innovate; to make reality out of the unkown, to make practical the obvious, to simplify life, and to make it safer.

Have you ever tried to fire up that barbeque on summer weekend only to realize that you are out of gas? Have you ever had the experience of trying to finish up painting that gate with spray paint and find out there is no paint left? Have you ever experienced an asthmatic gasping for breath because his Albuterol® inhaler was empty and he did not have another one with him?

What do all of these events have in common? In each case, the end user did not know the volume of the contents of the substance remaining in the canister or tank. All of these products use a pressurized gas within a canister or tank to delivery a substance that is used to do work. In at least once instance, the work to be done is required to perhaps avert a serious illness or death.

I have received a notice of allowance from the United States Patent & Trademark Office (the patent will issue in 8 weeks; there is a second patent that will issue before early next year) on a novel device to precisely know the exact volume of a fluid/gas remaining in any pressured canister at any point in time. The patented device consists of an internal sensing mechanism that is in conjunction with an external read-out such that the end-user can readily determine exactly how much volume is remaining.

This device can be used in all industries where there is a gas contained in a canister/tank under pressure. While there are counters and manometers, there is no internal device coupled with an external read-out that can measure the actual volume of the fluid/gas remaining at any point in time. This device can be used for asthma medications (Albuterol® canister), propane barbeque tank, spray paint cans, for example.

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