# US 7,740,789 B2 · Method for eliminating detrimental effects of flash on cups used for sport stacking

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- Number: US 7,740,789 B2
- Document ID: US7740789B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/539,794
- Filed: 2006-10-09
- Published: 2007-05-24
- Granted: 2010-06-22
- Earliest claimed: 2005-11-08
- Assignees: Speed Stacks, Inc.
- Inventors: John L. Goers
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7740789B2

## CPC

- B29C 45/0025: {Preventing defects on the moulded article, e.g. weld lines, shrinkage marks (preventing defects on the preformed parts or layers B29C45/14836)}
- B29C 45/40: Removing or ejecting moulded articles
- B29C 2045/0034: {Mould parting lines}
- B29C 2045/4078: {using stripping means}
- B29L 2031/5218: {Dolls, puppets}
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

A method of making a cup that decreases the amount of flash on a bottom surface of the cup is provided. More specifically, a cup is provided that includes a thickened lip around an open surface. The lip also includes a recess for the receipt of excess material generated by the molding process. This excess material, or flashing, is detrimental to the use of cups in cup stacking competitions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of making a cup used in cup stacking competitions comprising:
providing a mold having:
a core that defines an inner surface of the cup,
a cavity spaced a distance from the core that defines an outer surface of the cup, the space between the core and the cavity defining a volume to receive a material,
a stripper plate positioned adjacent to the core and below the cavity, the stripper plate having an annulus that defines a lip of the cup and a protrusion positioned within the annulus that defines a recess in the lip;
wherein the core includes a second annulus in corresponding relationship to the annulus of the stripper plate, the annulus and the second annulus defining the lip, and wherein a second protrusion is located within the second annulus, the protrusion and second protrusion defining the recess,
introducing the material into the volume to form the cup;
removing the cavity;
transitioning the stripper plate with respect to the core thereby disengaging the cup from the core.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the material is a plastic.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the protrusion has at least one of an arcuate, a square, and a triangular cross section.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the protrusion and the second protrusion have substantially identical profiles thereby defining the recess of at least one of an arcuate, a square, a rectangular and a triangular cross section.

### Claim 5

A method of making a container comprising:
providing a mold having:
a core that defines an inner surface of the container,
a cavity spaced a distance from the core that defines an outer surface of the container, the space between said core and the cavity defining a volume to receive a material,
a means for removing the container from the core, the means being positioned adjacent to the core and below the container, the means for removing the container having means for forming an annulus in a lip positioned about an open end of the container, and
a means for forming a recess positioned within the annulus;
wherein the core includes a second means for forming an annulus, the means for forming an annulus and the second means for forming an annulus defining the lip, and wherein a second protrusion is located within the second annulus, the protrusion and second protrusion defining the recess,
introducing the material into the device to define the container;
removing the cavity;
transitioning the means for removing the container with respect to the core thereby disengaging the container from the core.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the material is a plastic.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the protrusion has at least one of an arcuate, a square, and a triangular cross section.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the protrusion and the second protrusion have substantially identical profiles thereby defining the recess of at least one of an arcuate, a square, a rectangular and a triangular cross section.