Method and apparatus for manufacturing pallet spacers

An apparatus for forming a pallet spacer from a one-piece blank, the one piece blank having at least a first end and a second opposite end, a retention segment disposed between said first and second ends, said retention segment defining a retention aperture, said second end including a cut-out flange having a hinge, the apparatus comprising;

• a base;
• a rotating mandrel assembly mounted on said base for wrapping said one-piece blank around itself such that said retention aperture is registered directly adjacent said cut-out flange, said rotating mandrel assembly including a selective engagement means for gripping said first end of said one-piece blank when said one-piece blank is wrapped around itself;
• a punch for pushing said cut-out flange into said retention aperture thereby retaining said one-piece blank in a coiled shape forming a pallet spacer;
• and
• stripper means for removing said pallet spacer from said rotating mandrel assembly.

An apparatus for forming a pallet spacer from a one-piece blank, the one piece blank having at least a first end and a second opposite end, the apparatus comprising;

• a base;
• a rotating mandrel mounted on said base for wrapping said one-piece blank around said mandrel forming a spiral shape, said rotating mandrel assembly including an internally disposed clamp having an actuator which has an extended position in which the clamp positively grips said first end of said one-piece blank during wrapping of said one-piece blank around said mandrel;
• and
• a stripper for removing said pallet spacer from said rotating mandrel assembly after said internally disposed clamp is shifted by the actuator to a retracted position.