Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for palletizing bagged and other items that are susceptible to being damaged or degraded by the sliding friction caused by apron removal includes a center-opening apron assembly having a left and right side apron consisting of a roller curtain floor and belt. Each roller curtain floor follows a generally L-shaped path by means of roller chains guided through a plurality of sprockets. A single apron motor simultaneously operates both the left side and right side roller curtain by means of a cross-linked synchronization chain. Each roller curtain includes a belt having opposed stationary ends whereby opening of the roller curtain floor results in opposite direction rotation of the belt. This enables bagged items to by palletized in a single layer without causing bunching or tearing of the bagged items as the roller curtain floor retracts.