Box template folding process and mechanisms

A method of forming a box from fanfold material, the method comprising:

• forming a blank from fanfold material, the fanfold material including fanfold scores, the blank including at least one false score extending transversely across the blank;
• moving the blank forward longitudinally down a drive line, the blank comprising:
• a plurality of panels including a leading panel, an intermediate panel, a bottom panel, and a trailing panel;
• a plurality of side panels extending transversely to the drive line, each panel connected to two opposing side panels;
• and
• a glue tab;
• folding down in a first direction the side panels associated with the leading and bottom panels and folding up in a second direction the side panels associated with the intermediate and trailing panels as the blank moves forward on the drive line so that the panels from which each folded side panel extends are rigidified, the first and second directions being opposite to one another;
• and
• holding the side panels that have been folded up in position as the blank moves forward on the drive line.

A method of forming a box from a blank, the method comprising:

• providing a blank on a drive line, the blank comprising:
• a plurality of panels including a leading panel, an intermediate panel, a bottom panel, and a trailing panel;
• a plurality of side panels extending transversely to the drive line, each panel connected to two opposing side panels;
• and
• a glue tab;
• moving the blank forward longitudinally down a drive line;
• folding the side panels up and down in an alternating fashion as the blank moves forward on the drive line so that the panels from which each folded side panel extends are rigidified;
• holding the side panels that have been folded up in position as the blank moves forward on the drive line;
• folding the trailing panel up to form a rear wall of a box;
• folding the intermediate and leading panels to form front and top walls, respectively, of the box,
• folding the glue tab extending from the trailing panel down with a spatula;
• and
• contacting a boundary between the leading panel and the intermediate panel with a leading edge of the spatula to facilitate folding between the intermediate panel and leading panel.