ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 17 -- United States Patent no. 12,312,261, issued on May 27, was assigned to NIBCO Inc. (Elkhart, Ind.).

"Magnetic water filter assembly" was invented by Christopher W. Mason (Granger, Ind.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A magnetic water filter assembly with a removable lighter weight lower section to permit access to the internal components of the filter assembly. The removable lower section allows the servicing and/or replacement of the internal filter as well as cleaning of the assembly. The lighter weight lower section reduces the stress placed on the surrounding plumbing components, including the piping/tubing that couples to the filter assembly."

The patent was fi...