Patent ID: 6973764

Claim:
The method for providing a stacked assemblage of protectors comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of substantially identically configured protectors, each said protector having a generally planar, annulus-shaped polymeric flange having a central axis and extending from an outwardly disposed edge to an inwardly disposed generally annular shaped ridge portion, an inwardly extending open sleeve having a top portion formed integrally with said ridge portion and having an outer sleeve surface extending inwardly therefrom along said axis with a generally converging taper a sleeve length to a sleeve edge, three stacking tab access openings arranged within a first pattern within said sleeve, each extending from a lower side spaced from said sleeve edge through said ridge portion, three fingers, each having a stacking receiver surface and each said finger extending angularly outwardly from said lower side of one of said stacking tab access openings, three stacking openings arranged within a second pattern shifted about said axis from said first pattern to space said stacking openings from said stacking tab access openings and dimensioned to receive a said finger, and three stacking tabs extending along said outer sleeve surface arranged within a third pattern shifted about said axis from said first pattern to space said stacking tabs from said stacking openings and said stacking tab access openings, each said stacking tab having an engagement surface; (b) positioning the sleeve edge of one said protector upon a lifting surface; (c) positioning the sleeve of a next protector through the upwardly disposed ridge portion and within the sleeve of said one protector in a manner wherein the engagement surface of said three stacking tabs is inserted through aligned said stacking tab access openings to an extent wherein said engagement surface freely abuttably contacts a said stacking receiver surface and each said finger of said next protector extends through corresponding said stacking opening of said one protector; and (d) reiterating said step (c) for a succession of said protectors until the last of said plurality of protectors is positioned upon the next to last of said protectors in said stacked assemblage.