Method and apparatus for producing sheets of corrugated cardboard with a variable format

Method for producing corrugated cardboard sheets having variable formats, said method comprising the steps of,

• continuously conveying a corrugated cardboard web from a heating and pulling device at a uniform speed,
• processing the web to a predetermined format in at least one longitudinal cutting and grooving device, said web having edge strips cut longitudinally by said longitudinal cutting and grooving device;
• cross cutting said web into said sheets by a web cross cutting device so as to conform to said format, said web being conveyed to said web cross cutting device without being severed crosswise,
• said edge strips being cut crosswise by at least one edge strip cross cutting device and thereafter being conveyed to waste after processing of the web in said longitudinal cutting and grooving device and prior to said web being severed by said web cross cutting device,
• said web having format areas which overlap and said overlapping areas being cut by said web cross cutting device to produce waste which is removed to a waste container through a sheet trap, and
• said edge strip cross cutting device having a cutter operating inwardly a predetermined constant distance to cut said edge strips crosswise at each format change along entire length of said web, said predetermined distance being related to the difference between maximum and minimum web widths conveyed.