Abstract: A pallet dismantler includes cantilevered supports to support a pallet by its deck boards, which automatically aligns the pallet with a band saw blade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for at least partially disassembling a pallet, the pallet having a plurality of deck board support interfaces, includes providing at least one cutting device that is positionable at any one of the board support interfaces and selectively positioning the at least one cutting device adjacent a particular board support interface of the pallet. The particular board support interface is cut with the at least one cutting device.

Abstract: An automated de-banding machine which can perform by scanning the surface of the pallet to determine the number and position of bands to be removed. The machine also is capable of analyzing to determine the overlay bands from underlay bands. The overlay bands are removed first and typically fed individually to a chopper which chops the bands into pieces for recycling. The band information may be recorded and used to facilitate handling of a similar type of pallet in future operations to eliminate any stoppage for determination of retooling or adjustment.

Abstract: A device and method for severing fasteners securing deck boards to pallet runners. A band saw extends across a table recess. The band saw is spaced above the tabletop aligning the saw between the deck boards and runners. The recess includes stop surfaces enabling the pallet to be pivoted from a horizontal position through a vertical position and then to an upside down position while the saw blade remains within the pallet for severing fasteners securing the opposite top deck board from the pallet.

Abstract: A table saw for use in dismantling wood pallets is provided with a table and band saw blade having course over table to cut nails between face boards and stringers as pallet is moved through blade. Table has convex, arcuate fence about which pallet may be twisted to facilitate cutting of nails. Table is shiftable horizontally relative to the saw blade to adjust position for use by single operator with short pallets or two operators with long pallets.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a palletized container (411), the palletized container (411) including a container (413) affixed to a pallet (415). The apparatus includes a receptacle (412) arranged and configured for receiving the palletized container (411). A shearing mechanism is incorporated within the receptacle (412). The shearing mechanism is constructed and arranged for generating relative movement between the container (413) and the pallet (415) such that the container (413) is sheared from the pallet (415). The shearing mechanism includes support structure (428) for supporting the palletized container (411) within the receptacle (412) by engaging the pallet (415) of the palletized container (411). The shearing mechanism also includes a shearing member (440) having an edge (456) spaced a predetermined distance (D1) from the support structure (428).

Abstract: A pallet dismantling machine for cutting nail staples or like fastening means holding boards to stringers or blocks of the pallet assembly to facilitate reuse of the wood or other material from which the pallets are manufactured. The machine includes a horizontally mounted band saw blade and a vertically convenient adjustable work table. The distance between the table and the saw blade is adjusted to be equal to the thickness of the board so that the blade passes between the board and the stringer to cut the nails or other fasteners.

Abstract: A saw for removing opposing deck boards from a pallet. A pair of band saws are suspendedly and pivotally mounted to a frame. Guide fingers extend between the saw blades to engage the opposing surfaces of pallet deck boards to automatically position the saw blades with the junctions between deck boards and pallet runners. An upwardly extending bed is cantileverly mounted to the saw supporting the pallet.

Abstract: A machine for removing stringers from pallets includes a table assembly that establishes a working surface upon which a pallet can be placed and a carrier assembly that is movable relative to the pallet. The carrier assembly includes a pair of spaced, parallel, elongate cutter rails, the cutter rails being spaced a distance greater than the width of a stringer and adapted to receive a stringer therebetween. A cutting assembly is connected to the cutter rails toward the ends thereof, the cutting assembly including rotatable upper and lower disks connected to the cutter rails. The disks are positioned side-by-side such that the edges thereof are in contact with each other. The upper disks are spaced closer to the ends of the cutter rails than the lower disks. As the cutting assembly is advanced through a pallet, the upper and lower disks shear the nails that hold the stringer in place within the pallet. Severed stringers are collected in a trough and are removed automatically by a conveyor.

Abstract: A base mount supports a secondary mount in surface facing relation and a pair of these mount assemblies are positioned in spaced relation to receive a pallet stringer between them. The mounts support circular cutter discs which are disposed in axially aligned pairs and also in laterally aligned pairs whereby to be capable of severing nails on opposite edges of a stringer in a single pass of a stringer through the space between the laterally spaced mounts. The base mounts support the secondary mounts and are capable of being retrofitted to existing machines. The base and secondary mounts are secured by cross plates that have a cutting edge to form a backup cutter for the cutter discs. The secondary mounts are hingedly supported on the base mounts by a cross hinge at the rear of the mounts and a spring and limit assembly is provided between the mounts to allow adjustment of the mounts for different dimensioned stringers.

Abstract: An apparatus for unnailing wood pallets includes a frame, a first cutter assembly and a second cutter assembly positioned vertically above the first. The first cutter assembly includes a pair of elongated horizontal support arms supporting a cutting head at one end, downwardly biasing springs at an opposite end and a pivot between the ends. The second cutter assembly includes a pair of elongated horizontal support arms supporting a second cutting head at one end and a pivot at an opposite end that is coaxial the pivot of the first cutter assembly. The second cutter assembly is biased upwardly by springs between its support arms and those of the first cutter assembly. A stringer return member is horizontally movable with a pallet-moving cradle and includes a member which is pivotally mounted to the cradle at one end and has a follower at an opposite end to follow a track that moves with the support arms in order to keep the member positioned between the pair of support arms.

Abstract: A base mount supports a secondary mount in surface facing relation and a pair of these mount assemblies are positioned in spaced relation to receive a pallet stringer between them. The mounts support circular cutter discs which are disposed in axially aligned pairs and also in laterally aligned pairs whereby to be capable of severing nails on opposite edges of a stringer in a single pass of a stringer through the space between the laterally spaced mounts. The base mounts support the secondary mounts and are capable of being retrofitted to existing machines. The base and secondary mounts are secured by cross plates that have a cutting edge to form a backup cutter for the cutter discs. The secondary mounts are hingedly supported on the base mounts by a cross hinge at the rear of the mounts and a spring and limit assembly is provided between the mounts to allow adjustment of the mounts for different dimensioned stringers.

Abstract: A pallet-cutting machine for selectively removing individual components of a load-bearing pallet.

Abstract: A machine which separates pallet boards from their connecting stringers by sawing essentially through their attaching nails only, thus minimizing damage to the boards so that they can be reused.In order to separate and loosen the boards so that only the nails are cut a pressing device is designed to squeeze the sides of a pallet inserted within it. Then the loosened pallet, with the boards lifted so that there is space enough for a saw blade to be inserted to cut the nails only, is sent through the previously described sawing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for unnailing wood pallets includes a frame, a first cutter assembly and a second cutter assembly positioned vertically above the first. The first cutter assembly includes a pair of elongated horizontal support arms supporting a cutting head at one end, downwardly biasing springs at an opposite end and a pivot between the ends. The second cutter assembly includes a pair of elongated horizontal support arms supporting a second cutting head at one end and a pivot at an opposite end that is coaxial the pivot of the first cutter assembly. The second cutter assembly is biased upwardly by springs between its support arms and those of the first cutter assembly. A stringer return member is horizontally movable with a pallet-moving cradle and includes a member which is pivotally mounted to the cradle at one end and has a follower at an opposite end to follow a track that moves with the support arms in order to keep the member positioned between the pair of support arms.

Abstract: An apparatus for unnailing wood pallets includes a frame, a first cutter assembly and a second cutter assembly positioned vertically above the first. The first cutter assembly includes a pair of elongated horizontal support arms supporting a cutting head at one end, downwardly biasing springs at an opposite end and a pivot between the ends. The second cutter assembly includes a pair of elongated horizontal support arms supporting a second cutting head at one end and a pivot at an opposite end that is coaxial the pivot of the first cutter assembly. The second cutter assembly is biased upwardly by springs between its support arms and those of the first cutter assembly. A stringer return member is horizontally movable with a pallet-moving cradle and includes a member which is pivotally mounted to the cradle at one end and has a follower at an opposite end to follow a track that moves with the support arms in order to keep the member positioned between the pair of support arms.