Drain stopper

Abstract

A drain stopper for use in closing a drain opening in a receptacle such as, but not limited to, a sink or a tub. The drain stopper has a central region for frictionally engaging the conduit defining the opening. The central region having a first surface and an opposing surface, each of the surfaces having respective protrusions allowing for removal thereof. The double-sided drain stopper allowing for removal of the stopper even if it becomes inverted.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A stopper device for closing a drain opening, comprising 
 a central region having a first surface and a second surface;    a wall peripherally interconnecting said first surface and said second surface;    a first protrusion extending from said first surface in a direction distal to said central region;    a second protrusion extending from said second surface in a direction distal to said central region;    whereby said central region is adapted to occlude said drain opening and is removable by use of at least said first protrusion and said second protrusion.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a first top is attached to said first protrusion and is larger than said first protrusion to allow engagement by a plurality of fingers of a user.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein a second top is attached to said second protrusion and is larger than said second protrusion to allow engagement by a plurality of fingers of a user.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said device is made of a unitary piece of material.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said device is made of a flexible material.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said device is made of a material selected from a group consisting of rubber, metal, and plastic.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein a lip extends peripherally from said wall at a point in between said first surface and said second surface.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said wall has a top portion proximal to said first surface and a bottom portion proximal to said second surface and a middle portion therebetween; and 
 the peripheral size of the wall increasing from said top portion to said middle portion and also decreasing from said middle portion to said bottom portion.    
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said wall has a top portion proximal to said first surface and a bottom portion proximal to said second surface and a middle portion therebetween; and 
 a diameter of the wall increasing uniformly from said top portion to said middle portion and the diameter also uniformly decreases from said middle portion to said bottom portion.    
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein a lip extends peripherally from said middle portion of said wall.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein a lip extends peripherally from said middle portion of said wall.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said lip is flexible and resilient.  
     
     
         13 . A stopper device for closing a drain opening, the drain opening being defined by walls of a conduit, comprising 
 a central region having a first surface and a second surface;    a wall peripherally interconnecting said first surface and said second surface;    a first protrusion extending from said first surface in a direction distal to said central region;    a first top is attached to said first protrusion and is larger than said first protrusion to allow engagement by a plurality of fingers of a user    a second protrusion extending from said second surface in a direction distal to said central region;    a second top is attached to said second protrusion and is larger than said second protrusion to allow engagement by a plurality of fingers of a user    whereby said central region is adapted to occlude said drain opening by frictionally engaging the wall of a conduit defining the opening and is removable by use of at least said first top and said second top.    
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said device is made of a unitary piece of material.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said device is made of a flexible material.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said device is made of a material selected from a group consisting of rubber, metal, and plastic.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein a lip extends peripherally from said wall at a point in between said first surface and said second surface.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said wall has a top portion proximal to said first surface and a bottom portion proximal to said second surface and a middle portion therebetween; 
 the peripheral size of the wall increasing from said top portion to said middle portion and also decreasing from said middle portion to said bottom portion; and    a resilient and flexible lip extends peripherally from said middle portion of said wall.    
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said wall has a top portion proximal to said first surface and a bottom portion proximal to said second surface and a middle portion therebetween; 
 a diameter of the wall increasing uniformly from said top portion to said middle portion and the diameter also uniformly decreases from said middle portion to said bottom portion; and    a resilient and flexible lip extends peripherally from said middle portion of said wall.