Method for undressing a pallet and related apparatus

Method for undressing a pallet of products arranged in layers on a base, said pallet being coated with a protective film for retaining and protecting the products the film being configured to cover an upper surface and a side surface of the pallet up to the base, the method comprising:

• cutting said protective film into at least two segments each comprising an upper flap of an upper portion of film at the upper surface of the pallet, and a lower flap of a side portion of film at the side surface of the pallet,
• moving away said at least two segments from the upper surface of the pallet and from the side surface of the pallet;
• wherein cutting said protective film into said at least two segments is carried out before moving away said at least two segments and comprises:
• cutting a first cut and a second cut at said side surface;
• and
• at least one horizontal cut at said upper surface;
• wherein the method further comprises:
• rotating the pallet around a vertical symmetry axis thereof, after cutting said first cut and before cutting said second cut.

Apparatus for undressing a pallet of products arranged in layers on a base, said pallet being coated with a protective film for retaining and protecting the products, the film being configured to cover an upper surface and a side surface of the pallet at least up to the base, wherein said apparatus comprises:

• a cutting device for performing the cutting of the protective film said cutting device being configured to cut:
• a first cut and a second cut at said side surface and
• at least one horizontal cut at said upper surface so as to cut said protective film into at least two segments, each comprising an upper flap of an upper portion of film, at said upper surface, and a lower flap of a side portion of film, at said side surface;
• a withdrawal device for moving away said at least two segments, after cutting said protective film into said at least two segments;
• and
• transfer and/or support means configured to position the pallet in a work area and wherein said transfer and/or support means comprise a rotating device configured to rotate the pallet around a vertical symmetry axis thereof, when the pallet is positioned at said work area,
• wherein said first cut and second cut are horizontally spaced apart from each other on said side surface and vertically extend up to said upper surface so as to end or start at respective opposite ends of said horizontal cut.