Method for forming slotted and creased box blanks

The method of forming a scored and slotted box blank from a generally-rectangular sheet of material, comprising the steps of:

• providing a frame for supporting and guiding said sheet;
• placing a sheet of material on said frame, said sheet having first and second longitudinal edges;
• providing guide means extending transverse to said longitudinal edges of said sheet;
• providing a carriage mounted to said guide means for transverse movement along the guide means;
• providing a transverse cutting means mounted to said carriage for transverse movement with said carriage to transversely cut across said sheet and form predetermined slots in said sheet;
• providing punch means mounted to said carriage for selectively punching slots in said sheet;
• controlling said transverse slot cutting means to transversely cut at least one predetermined slot in said sheet;
• controlling said punch means to punch a first slot in said sheet at a transverse position;
• controllably moving said sheet in a longitudinal direction relative to said frame;
• controlling said punch means to punch a second slot longitudinally overlapping said first slot;
• thereby to punch a longitudinal slot in said sheet greater than the longitudinal width of said punch.