Apparatus and method for processing palletized containers

An apparatus for separating a container from a pallet, the apparatus comprising:

• a receptacle sized for receiving the pallet with the container affixed thereto, the receptacle including a bed for supporting the pallet within the receptacle;
• a shearing platen disposed within the receptacle, the shearing platen being transversely oriented with respect to the bed of the receptacle, the shearing platen including and elongated blade having an edge spaced a predetermined distance from the bed, the predetermined distance being larger than a thickness of the pallet;
• and
• a drive mechanism for reciprocally driving the shearing platen along the bed between first and second positions, wherein when the container and pallet are positioned in the receptacle and the shearing platen is driven between the first and second positions, the container is sheared form the pallet by the shearing platen.

An apparatus for processing a palletized container, the palletized container including a container affixed to a pallet, the apparatus comprising:

• a receptacle defining a entrance opening for introducing the palletized container into the receptacle, a pallet discharge opening for discharging the pallet from the receptacle, and a container discharge opening for discharging the container from the receptacle, the receptacle also including a bed for supporting the palletized container within the receptacle by engaging the pallet of the palletized container;
• a shearing member moveably mounted within the receptacle, the shearing member having a lower edge spaced a predetermined distance above the bed of the receptacle, the predetermined distance being slightly greater than a height of the pallet;
• a restraining structure for preventing the pallet from moving toward the container discharge opening;
• and
• a drive mechanism for reciprocally driving the shearing member between a first position adjacent to the pallet discharge opening and a second position adjacent to the container discharge opening, wherein when the drive mechanism drives the shearing member from the first position to the second position, the shearing member is adapted for shearing the container from the pallet and discharging the container through the container discharge opening.

A system for processing palletized containers, each palletized container including a container affixed to a pallet, the system comprising:

• a receptacle arranged and configured for receiving the palletized containers, the receptacle including a container discharge opening and a separate pallet discharge opening;
• a shearing mechanism incorporated within the receptacle, the shearing mechanism being constructed and arranged for generating relative movement between the containers and the pallets such that the containers are sheared from the pallets and discharged through the container discharge opening;
• a pallet discharge mechanism for discharging the pallets from the receptacle through pallet discharge opening;
• a pallet stacking mechanism for receiving the pallets from the pallet discharge opening, the pallet stacking mechanism being constructed and arranged to stack the pallets;
• and
• a hopper for receiving the containers from the container discharge opening of the receptacle, wherein the containers are compacted within the hopper by the shearing mechanism.

A method for processing a palletized container, the palletized container including a container affixed to a pallet, the method comprising:

• placing the palletized container in a receptacle having a pallet discharge opening and a container discharge opening, the receptacle including a shearing member mounted therein;
• aligning an edge of the shearing member with an interface between the pallet and the container;
• generating relative movement between the pallet and the container such that the shearing member engages the container and shears the container from the pallet;
• discharging the sheared container through the container discharge opening;
• and
• discharging the pallet through the pallet discharge opening.