Abstract: A high speed case opener is comprised of an ingress section, and transition section, and an egress section. Boxes entering the high speed case opener on a conveyor are cut by a pair of rotating blades mounted on either side of the conveyor. Movement of the box is paused after it is cut and the trajectory of the box is redirected 90° by operation of a redirection means located within the transition section. After being so redirected, the box enters the egress section where a pair of rotating blades cut the box on the two previously uncut sides, forming a lid which can be readily removed to access the contents of the box. The rotating blades are each enclosed within a deflection segment and are only exposed when a box presses against a pair of deflection segments.