ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 20 -- United States Patent no. 12,529,218, issued on Jan. 20.
"Levitated drain stopper" was invented by Brian Zimmerman (Orem, Utah).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A stopper mechanism for a drain includes one of a magnetic stopper and a diamagnetic and a magnetic field generator with a fixed position in relation to the drain which produces a magnetic field having a precise combination of position, geometry, and strength to support the stopper in a stable, levitated, distal position with relation to a drain to permit fluid and waste to pass by the stopper and which does not provide any contact points for collection of debris thereon, and wherein the magnetic field can be c...