Abstract: A denesting apparatus for a stack of cup-shaped articles having peripheral outwardly extending rims includes a pair of uniquely machined rotary shafts which operate together to support the stack of nested articles and to denest and separate one article at a time as the stack passes vertically downwardly between the shafts. Each of the shafts includes at least one profiled surface portion which makes line contact with the lowermost cup rim and supports the stack, followed rotationally by a groove that engages the rim of the lowermost cup to denest and separate it from the stack.