Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to a container or a carton having a plurality of selectable volumes. The present invention is also directed to a container having a plurality of identified markings to reduce container volume upon partial consumption of content. The container includes a plurality of fold facilitating creases adapted to allow panels to be folded or removed along a fold facilitating crease and/or perforation. At least one set of perforations or identified creases are provided in the box so as to form a shell and a second or a secondary box, where the shell is removed after the contents of the box have been partially consumed and space becomes available. The container may further include perforations, flaps, tabs, slits, indentations, notches, along or at an edge of the panel. A blank of bendable and creaseable material for forming a predefined selectable volume carton box is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a container or a carton having a plurality of selectable volumes. The present invention is also directed to a container having a plurality of identified markings to reduce container volume upon partial consumption of content. The container includes a plurality of fold facilitating creases adapted to allow panels to be folded or removed along a fold facilitating crease and/or perforation. At least one set of perforations or identified creases are provided in the box so as to form a shell and a second or a secondary box, where the shell is removed after the contents of the box have been partially consumed and space becomes available. The container may further include perforations, flaps, tabs, slits, indentations, notches, along or at an edge of the panel. A blank of bendable and creaseable material for forming a predefined selectable volume carton box is also disclosed. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     Various efforts have been done in the past to improve the basic design and utility of a container. Similarly, efforts have been made to further the art of container but they have had limited success. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,056,032 (Abraham Berman), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a variable volume box in which the outer wall is perforated at various heights, so as to be cut there along reducing the size of the box, wherein the upper outer walls of the box may be used as the flaps to close the box. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,128,031 (Gerald Dembo), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an invention relating to cartons, and more particularly to cartons which may be reduced in size as the contents thereof are used. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,168,234 (Fred H. Bartz), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses form containers of the type allowing reduction of the original volume of the container by the disposal of a used section of the container after dispensing a portion of the contents of the container, while at the same time enabling closing of the reduced carton to minimize air spaces therewithin. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,291,372 (William R. Saidel), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a laminated and reclosable carton box having strips located on the outer surface thereof at various levels so as to reduce the carton in height when those strips are removed. A top box may be placed at the various levels once the levels are reduced. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,302,855 (William C. Becker), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an improved container construction wherein the same can be reduced in size as the product thereof is progressively removed so that the container construction of this invention will only require a minimum of storage space for the amount of product still remaining in the container construction. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,506 (Robert Fred Roenna) the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a tear open and relockable cardboard container comprising a first and a second top member having a first and a second top fold and a first and a second top edge which top members are secured in an overlapping relationship to form a top of the container. The first top member has a container aperture perforation with a locking projection extending toward the first edge. Locking slots extend from the sides of the container aperture perforation. The second member has a first and a second perforation with a lift tab fold line extending between the first and second perforation defining a lift tab therebetween. A lift tab perforation is located on the second top member and intersects the lift tab fold line forming a reopen tab. The container is opened by raising the lift tab to expose the container aperture. The container is relocked by inserting the lift tab into the locking slots with the locking projection extending through the lift tab perforation resulting in a first engagement between the lift tab and the bottom surface of the first member and resulting in a second engagement between the reopen tab and the top surface of the first member. The lift tab forms an obtuse angle with the second member resulting in an increase in the force of the first and second engagements by the weight of the contents of the container upon the lift tab when the container is overturned. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,478 (Ralph J. Korte), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a paperboard container having an opening member defined by an array of perforations. A coating of plastically deformable and readily rupturable material is disposed on the inside surface of the container and extends on each side of each perforation in the array of perforations including the continuous section of paperboard material between adjacent perforations. The cooperation of the coating of plastically deformable material and the paperboard material ensures that the severances between adjacent perforations will be more precise, less ragged and will not produce detached slivers of paperboard material. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,513 (William R. Newman), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses an invention that is generally accomplished by providing a sheet of cover material, folding the sheet such that one portion to become the front extends up to a line slightly below the edge of the portion to become the back. The flap of the back portion extending above the front is coated with adhesive; the disposal container is formed by sealing the sides of the folded sheet. Outward of the seal lines that form the container are placed tear lines such as perforation lines. The object to be wrapped then is placed onto the exterior side of the front of the container, and the container is wrapped around the object and sealed with the adhesive strip on the flap to form a package. The ends of the package are then sealed. The package may be opened by tearing at the perforations and unrolling the container by releasing the adhesive flap to recover the wrapped article. After use the used article may be placed inside the container which is then sealed with the pressure-sensitive adhesive on the flap by adhering the flap to the front of the container. In a particularly preferred form, the package is used for wrapping and disposal of catamenial devices. The packages may be made from continuous strips of polymer sheet that are heat sealed at the end of each package and then cut between the packages. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,808 (Darryl J. Rudd), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a variable volume carton box having a top lid with flaps which are secured in the conventional manner for cereal boxes or other boxes used to contain like commodities sold in grocery stores and supermarkets. At least one intermediate circumferential perforation is located around the box so as to allow the box to be reduced in size. Once the box is reduced in size by tearing or cutting along the perforation, another set of intermediate flaps are attached circumferentially around an interior section of the carton box to form the new lid used when the box is reduced in size. If a flexible airtight lining is used within the box, a circumferential perforation or mark line is located thereon just above the circumferential perforation of the variable volume carton box to allow the lining to be folded, thereby forming an airtight lining within the reduced volume carton box. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,009 (Harold J. Rose), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses in a container having a plurality of selectable volumes including a plurality of fold facilitating creases adapted to allow panels to be folded or removed along a fold facilitating crease and/or perforation, further including a first set and a second set of perforations or other separating mechanism extending substantially parallel to a corner edge to thereby define a removable strip for unconnecting panels that form a corner edge from one another. The first set of perforations and the second set of perforations or other separating mechanism are positioned at a spaced distance from each other. The first set of perforations or other separating mechanism is provided on a first panel while the second set of perforations or other separating mechanism is provided on either the corner edge itself or a second panel that form the corner edge. The container may further include lateral perforations as well as flaps, tabs, slits and slots along a top edge of the panels. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,988,034 (Paul Pezzoli), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a container that is designed for shipping and holding various items. The container is formed from a blank of a material, such as corrugated material, plastic, paperboard, etc. and includes side panels extending between a top portion and a bottom portion. A tear line extends around the side panels for disengaging the top portion from the container thereby exposing all of the items extending along the side panels. An improved configuration of the perforations or slits along the tear line prevents the corners defined between the side panels from being damaged and deformed and provides for smooth tearing of the tear line from the container. A second tear section is defined in a portion of the container by a perforation line with the tear section being separable from the top portion thereby partially exposing the items contained in the container. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
     This invention improves on the deficiencies of the prior art and provides an inventive reduceable container. 
     PURPOSES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to a container having a plurality of identified markings to reduce container volume upon consumption of content. 
     Therefore, one purpose of this invention is to provide a cost effective, and a durable container having a plurality of identified markings to reduce container volume upon consumption of content. 
     Another purpose of this invention is to provide a container that includes a plurality of fold facilitating creases adapted to allow panels to be folded or removed along a fold facilitating crease and/or perforation. 
     Yet another purpose of this invention is to provide at least one set of perforations or identified creases on the outer surface of the box so as to form a shell and a second box, where the shell is removed after the contents of the box have been partially consumed and space becomes available for the formation of the intermediate or secondary box. 
     Still yet another purpose of this invention is to have a container that may further include perforations, flaps, tabs, slits, indentations, notches, in or along a panel. 
     Therefore, in one aspect this invention comprises a predefined selectable volume carton box having a front side, a back side, a right side, a left side, a top portion, and a bottom portion, said predefined selectable volume carton box comprising an upper closable lid located at the top portion thereof, and wherein said predefined selectable volume carton box further comprises:
     (a) at least one intermediate box located within said predefined selectable volume carton box between said top portion and said bottom portion of said predefined selectable volume carton box;   (b) said at least one intermediate box being defined by an upper peripheral marking and a lower peripheral marking on the outside surface of said predefined selectable volume carton box;   (c) said upper peripheral marking defining at least one removeable portion of said predefined selectable volume carton box to form at least one removable sleeve; and   (d) said lower peripheral marking defining a bendable portion for said at least one intermediate box.   

     In another aspect this invention comprises a blank of bendable and creaseable material for forming a predefined selectable volume carton box, said blank comprising:
     (a) a first narrow side having a first left narrow side edge, a first right narrow side edge, a first narrow top edge, and a first narrow bottom edge;   (b) a first wide side having a first left wide side edge, a first right wide side edge, a first wide top edge, and a first wide bottom edge, and wherein said first right narrow side edge is parallel and secured to said first left wide side edge;   (c) a second narrow side having a second left narrow side edge, a second right narrow side edge, a second narrow top edge, and a second narrow bottom edge, and wherein said first right wide side edge is parallel and secured to said second left narrow side edge;   (d) a second wide side having a second left wide side edge, a second right wide side edge, a second wide top edge, and a second wide bottom edge, and wherein said second right narrow side edge is parallel and secured to said second left wide side edge;   (e) said blank comprising at least one upper peripheral marking from said first left narrow side edge to said second right wide side edge, and at least one lower peripheral marking from said first left narrow side edge to said second right wide side edge;   (f) wherein said at least one upper peripheral marking, and said at least one lower peripheral marking are on the outside surface of said predefined selectable volume carton box; and   (g) wherein portion of said at least one upper peripheral, marking to said first narrow bottom edge, said first wide bottom edge, said second narrow bottom edge, said second wide bottom edge, including said at least one lower peripheral, marking define at least one intermediate box.   

     In yet another aspect this invention comprises predefined selectable volume carton box having a front side, a back side, a right side, a left side, a top portion, and a bottom portion, said predefined selectable volume carton box comprising an upper closable lid located at the top portion thereof, and wherein said predefined selectable volume carton box further comprises:
     (a) at least one intermediate box located within said predefined selectable volume carton box between said top portion and said bottom portion of said predefined selectable volume carton box;   (b) said at least one intermediate box being defined by an upper peripheral marking and a lower peripheral marking on the outside surface of said predefined selectable volume carton box;   (c) said upper peripheral marking defining at least one removeable portion of said predefined selectable volume carton box to form at least one removable sleeve;   (d) said lower peripheral marking defining a bendable portion for said at least one intermediate box;   (e) said intermediate box has an intermediate closable lid along said bendable portion comprising a first top elongated intermediate flap with a first intermediate slot located thereon, a second top elongated intermediate flap with a first intermediate tab located thereon, and wherein said first intermediate tab and said first intermediate slot cooperate in such a manner as to securely close and open said intermediate closable lid.   

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, a detailed description of the preferred embodiment follows together with drawings. These drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. Like numbers represent like features and components in the drawings. The invention may best be understood by reference to the ensuing detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1 , illustrates a perspective view of a variable volume box according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2 , illustrates a perspective view of a variable volume box according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3 , illustrates a plan view looking at the outside surface of a blank structure of a carton incorporating features of the present invention according to a third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4 , illustrates a plan view looking at the outside surface of a blank structure of a carton incorporating features of the present invention according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Sometimes it takes a while to finish a box of food or anything and storing the original box when the plastic bag inside is almost done can be space consuming. To make an efficient use of space it would be beneficial to have a box that can be torn, for example, in half. This box has perforated side edges and a peripheral perforations along the front, back, and the two sides so that it can be easily torn so the box is reduced to, for example, half its size. 
       FIG. 1 , illustrates a perspective view of a variable volume box  23 , according to a first embodiment of the invention. The variable volume box or container or carton  23 , comprises of a base or bottom  11 , a first or lower box portion  10 , a second or upper box portion  20 , a top portion  77 , comprising a first flap or closure  26 , and a second flap or closure  28 . The first flap  26 , could have a slit or opening or receiving area  27 , to receive a portion of a tab or protrusion  25 , of the second flap  28 . A portion of the receiving area  27 , could also have an adhesive  76 , as such a resealable adhesive  76 , which are well known in the art that could be used to resealably secure a portion of the tab  25 , to a portion of the first flap  26 , around the receiving area  27 . The upper portion  20 , and the lower portion  10 , of the container  23 , further comprise of two first or narrow face wall or sides  22 , and two second or wide face wall or sides  24 , such that they form a square or a rectangular or a polygonal shaped box  23 . Separating the lower box portion  10 , from the upper box portion  20 , is at least one peripherally formed perforation or weakened area or marked area or foldable area or creaseable area  19 . Above the foldable area  19 , in the second or upper removable portion  20 , is at least one peripherally marked perforation area  29 , which can be used as a guide to separate the upper removable portion  20 , from the lower box  10 . Between the peripherally marked perforation area  29 , and the foldable area  19 , is a first or broad side flap  16 , a second or broad side flap  18 , and optionally at least one first narrow side flap  12 . The first broad side flap  16 , could have a limited perforation or slit or opening or receiving area  17 , to receive a portion of a tab or protrusion  15 , of the second flap  18 . It should be appreciated that both the slit  17 , and the tab  15 , are marked or identified on the face or outside surface of the box  23 , however they do not exist or appear to operate independently or become available for use until the upper removal portion  20 , of the box  23 , is removed along path identified by the removal portion  29 . The carton  23 , could have a liner or inner sleeve (not shown), which is well known in the art. Any contents (not shown) could be contained within the container  23 , or within the inner liner (not shown). The inner liner (not shown) is usually made from a collapsible material, such as, polyethylene, wax paper, to name a few, which are typically made to form a plastic type bag or container. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the lower box portion  10 , and the upper removal portion  20 , are sold to a customer with the markings  15 ,  19 , and perforations  17 ,  29 , on the face or the outside surface of the box  23 , while the contents are inside the box  23 . It is only when the contents are partially consumed or when the customer wants to make space as the box  23 , is taking up space while the original contents, for example, are below the foldable area  19 , the customer at that time could easily press along the preformed perforations  29 , and remove the upper removal portion  20 . After the removal of the upper removal portion  20 , the customer would then bend the two optional narrow side flap  12 , towards the inside of the box  10 , and also the broad or wide side flap  16 ,  18 , towards the inside of the box  10 . Once the crease or fold along the foldable path  19 , has been established the customer would press at the slit area  17 , to open the slit area  17 , which slit or area  17 , would then be used to receive the tab  15 . Thus the upper removal portion  20 , that did not have any content, but was taking up shelf space at a consumer location, such as, home or office, once removed, would allow for box  10 , that still has the remaining contents to still provide useful service while taking substantially less shelf space. Optionally, the upper removable portion  20 , could also have pre-identified markings or perforations  20 A, along each edge of the upper removable portion  20 , of the variable volume box  23 , so that it is very easy for a user or customer to remove the upper removable portion  20 , not only along the peripheral perforations  29 , but also along the plurality of edges  20 A. The variable volume box  23 , also has pre-identified markings or perforations  20 B, along each edge between the upper removable portion  20 , and the foldable area  19 , so that it is very easy for a user or customer to remove the upper removable portion  20 , not only along the peripheral perforations  29 , but also along the plurality of edges  20 B, and allow the narrow side flaps  12 , and the broad side flap  16 ,  18 , to independently be bendable or foldable. For some applications the predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , could also have at least one printed indicia  21 . The at least one printed indicia  21 , could be selected from a group comprising, product information, advertising, promotional material, slogans, to name a few. 
       FIG. 2 , illustrates a perspective view of a variable volume box  14 , according to a second embodiment of the invention. The variable volume box or container or carton  14 , has been formed by the removal of the upper removal portion  20 , along the path identified by the removal portion  29 . The carton  14 , comprises of the base or bottom  11 , the first or lower or intermediate or secondary box portion  10 , the two first or narrow side wall or face  22 , the two second or the wide face wall or side  24 , the first flap or closure  16 , and the second flap or closure  18 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper removal portion  20 , from  FIG. 1 , has been removed by the customer. The customer can now separate the two optional narrow side flap  12 , from the adjacent broad side flap  16 ,  18 , and bend them towards the inside of the box  10 , along the marked or bendable or crease area  19 . Similarly, the customer can now also separate the broad side flap  16 ,  18 , from the two adjacent optional narrow side flaps  12 , and bend them towards the inside of the box  10 , along the indentation  19 . Once the crease or fold along the foldable path  19 , has been established the customer would press at the slit area  17 , on the broad side flap  16 , to open the slit area  17 , which slit or area  17 , would then be used to receive the tab  15 , on the broad side flap  18 . Thus, the upper removal portion  20 , that did not have any content, but was taking up shelf space at a consumer location, such as, home or office, once removed, allows box  10 , that still has the remaining contents to still provide useful service while taking substantially less shelf space. The at least one printed indicia  21 , could be selected from a group comprising, product information, advertising, promotional material, slogans, to name a few. 
       FIG. 3 , illustrates a plan view looking at the outside surface of a blank structure of a carton  33 , incorporating features of the present invention according to a third embodiment of the invention. The blank carton  33 , is shown in a flattened mode  33 , where the blank carton  33 , comprises of a first narrow side wall  22 A, connected to a first wide face wall  24 A, along a crease or fold  31 . The first wide face wall  24 A, is connected to the second narrow side wall  22 B, on the opposite side along crease or fold  32 . The second narrow side wall  22 B, is connected to a second wide face wall  24 B, along crease or fold  34 . Optionally, a wide tab or lip  60 , could be provided to the second wide face wall  24 B, along a fold or crease  35 . The wide tab  60 , is normally secured to the first or narrow side wall  22 A, along an edge  70 , so as to form a square or rectangular or a polygonal shaped container  23 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . An upper edge of the first narrow side wall  22 A, could have an optional upper tab or flap  72 , along crease or fold line  68 , and an optional or lower tab or flap  11 A, along crease or fold line  69 . An upper edge of the second narrow side wall  22 B, could have an optional upper tab or flap  72 , along crease or fold line  68 , and an optional or lower tab or flap  11 A, along crease or fold line  69 . An upper edge of the first wide face wall  24 A, has an upper tab or flap  36 , along crease or fold line  66 , and a lower wide tab or flap  11 B, along crease or fold line  67 . Flap  11 B, could have optional recess portion  75 . An upper edge of the second wide face wall  24 B, has an upper tab or flap  38 , along crease or fold line  66 , and a lower wide tab or flap  11 C, along crease or fold line  67 .  FIG. 3 , further illustrates that at least one peripherally formed perforation or weakened area or marked area or foldable area or creaseable area  19 , that runs horizontally from one edge to another edge of the blank  33 . Above the foldable area  19 , in the second or upper removable portion  20 , there is at least one peripherally marked perforation or marked area  29 , which can be used as a guide to separate the upper removable portion  20 , from the lower or intermediate box  10 . It should be understood that the fold or crease lines  31 ,  32 ,  34 ,  35 , run vertically along both the upper removal portion  20 , and the lower box portion  10 , along the corners or edges of the box  23 , and portions of which run along the removal portion  29 , are used to separate the two narrow side flap  12 , and the wide side flap  16 ,  18 . The tab or flap  36 , has at least two indentations  59 , so as to create a flap portion  37 . The tab or flap  38 , has a receiving recess portion  55 , for engageably securing the flap portion  37 , via indentations or notches  59 , such that a portion of the tab  37 , is below the recess portion  55 , while a portion of the flap  36 , is above the flap  38 . The fold or crease lines  31 ,  32 ,  34 ,  35 , that run vertically along both the upper removal portion  20 , and the lower box portion  10 , can be further subdivided into lines  31 A,  32 A,  34 A,  35 A, respectively, for the portion that is above the foldable area  19 , and lines  31 B,  32 B,  343 B,  35 B, respectively, for the portion that is below the foldable area  19 . Lines  31 A,  32 A,  34 A,  35 A, can have perforation markings  31 A,  32 A,  34 A,  35 A, for easy removal or separation from the variable volume box  23 , illustrated in  FIG. 1 . It should be appreciated that vertical lines  31 B,  32 B,  34 B,  35 B, below the foldable area  19 , are fold or crease lines that integrate into and form the intermediate container  14 , illustrated in  FIG. 2 , after the separation of the upper removal portion  20 , of the carton  23 . The blank  33 , also has the tab area  15 , and slit area  17 , pre-marked or scored during manufacturing. 
       FIG. 4 , illustrates a plan view looking at the outside surface of a blank structure of a carton  43 , incorporating features of the present invention according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The blank carton  43 , is shown in a flattened mode  43 , where the blank carton  43 , comprises of a first narrow side wall  42 A, connected to a first wide face wall  44 A, along a crease or fold  61 . The first wide face wall  44 A, is connected to the second narrow side wall  42 B, on the opposite side along crease or fold  62 . The second narrow side wall  42 B, is connected to a second wide face wall  44 B, along crease or fold  64 . Optionally, a wide tab or lip  60 , could be provided to the second wide face wall  44 B, along a fold or crease  65 . The wide tab  60 , is normally secured to the first or narrow side wall  42 A, along an edge  70 , so as to form a square or rectangular or a polygonal shaped container  23 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . An upper edge of the first wide face wall  44 A, has an upper tab or flap  56 , along crease or fold line  66 , and a lower wide tab or flap  41 A, along crease or fold line  67 . An upper edge of the second wide face wall  44 B, has an upper tab or flap  58 , along crease or fold line  66 , and a lower wide tab or flap  41 B, along crease or fold line  67 .  FIG. 4 , further illustrates the at least one peripherally formed perforation or weakened area or marked area or foldable area or creaseable area  39 , that runs horizontally from one edge to another edge of the blank  43 . Above the foldable area  39 , in the second or upper removable portion  20 , there is at least one peripherally marked perforation or marked area  49 , which can be used as a guide to separate the upper removable portion  20 , from the lower or intermediate or secondary box  10 . It should be understood that the fold or crease lines  61 ,  62 ,  64 ,  65 , run vertically along both the upper removal portion  20 , and the lower box portion  10 , along the corners or edges of the box  23 , and portions of which run along the removal portion  49 , are used to separate the wide side flap  46 ,  48 , from the rest of the upper removeable portion  20 . The tab or flap  56 , has at least two indentations  59 , so as to create a flap portion  57 . The tab or flap  58 , has a receiving recess portion  55 , for engageably securing the flap portion  57 , via indentations or notches  59 , such that a portion of the tab  57 , is below the recess portion  55 , while a portion of the flap  56 , is above the flap  58 . Similarly, the carton  43 , has flap portion  46 , along a crease or fold line  39 , that can be folded once the upper removal portion  20 , has been removed. The flap portion  46 , has at least two indentations or notches  79 , that help create a tab portion  47 . The carton  43 , further has a flap portion  48 , along a crease or fold line  39 , that can be folded once the upper removal portion  20 , has been removed. The flap portion  48 , has at least one recess area or portion  45 , that can be used to engage with indentations or notches  79 , using the tab portion  47 , to create a closeable container  10 ,  14 ,  43 , once formed into a square or rectangular or polygonal shape, similar to box  23 , shown in  FIG. 1 . The fold or crease lines  61 ,  62 ,  64 ,  65 , that run vertically along both the upper removal portion  20 , and the lower box portion  10 , can be further subdivided into lines  61 A,  62 A,  64 A,  65 A, respectively, for the portion that is above the foldable area  39 , and lines  61 B,  62 B,  64 B,  65 B, respectively, for the portion that is below the foldable area  39 . Lines  61 A,  62 A,  64 A,  65 A can have perforation markings  61 A,  62 A,  64 A,  65 A, for easy removal or separation from the variable volume box  23 , illustrated in  FIG. 1 . It should be appreciated that vertical lines  61 B,  62 B,  64 B,  65 B, below the foldable area  39 , are fold or crease lines that integrate into and form the intermediate container  14 , illustrated in  FIG. 2 , after the separation of the upper removal portion  20 , of the carton  23 . Adhesive  76 , as such a resealable adhesive  76 , could be applied or secured onto the carton  43 , as needed. 
     The predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , could be made from a material that is suitably strong but creasable and foldable material. The predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , could be made from a material selected from a group comprising cardboard, corrugated cardboard and the like, fibrous paperboard, plastics or similar products which are creasable and foldable. 
     This invention allows for a user to create a selected volume for the container  23 . For example, a user would select a volume that the user desires and then can remove the sleeve portion  20 , so as to create a smaller or secondary or intermediate box  14 , which is foldably adjustable with respect to a height dimension and consequent volume in order to accommodate articles or collections of articles having a specific volume. The variable volume container  23 , also eliminates the need for carton providers to purchase and stock a great variety of sizes of boxes and containers. Storage of variable volume boxes  23 , is more efficient, and consumers purchasing boxes  23 , for shipping or any other purpose do not have to worry about or guess what size box  23 , is appropriate for their packages or business or personal contents or food items. 
     It should be appreciated that the predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , has the lower peripheral marking  19 , defining a bendable portion for the intermediate box  14 , and wherein the lower peripheral marking  19 , is substantially parallel to an outer peripheral portion of the base or bottom portion  11 . 
     For some applications the outer peripheral portion of the base or bottom portion  11 , has a rectangular shape so that the predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , has a rectangular shape. The outer peripheral portion of the base or bottom portion  11 , could also have a polygonal shape so that the predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , is polygonal in shape. 
     The predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , could also have at least one printed indicia  21 . The at least one printed indicia  21 , could be selected from a group comprising, product information, advertising, slogans, to name a few. 
     The predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , having the intermediate box  14 , has an intermediate lid or cover  16 ,  18 , comprising a top elongated intermediate flap  16 , with at least one first intermediate slot  17 , located thereon, and a second top elongated intermediate flap  18 , with a first intermediate tab  15 , located thereon, and third and fourth, top side intermediate flaps  12 , located between the first and the second top elongated intermediate flaps  16 ,  18 , wherein the first intermediate tab  15 , and the first intermediate slot  17 , cooperate in such a manner as to open or securely close the intermediate closable lid  16 ,  18 . 
     The predefined selectable volume carton box  23 ,  43 , wherein the intermediate box  14 , has an intermediate closeable lid  46 ,  48 , which comprises of a top elongated intermediate flap  46 , having at least two indentations  79 , located thereon, and a second top elongated intermediate flap  48 , with an intermediate tab relief  45 , located thereon, and wherein the intermediate relief tab  45 , and the at least two indentations  79 , cooperate in such a manner so as to securely close the intermediate closeable lid  46 ,  48 , and forming a tuck-in closing flap  46 ,  48 . 
     The predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , has the upper peripheral marking  29 , that define the removeable portion  20 , of the predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , which are located at a predetermined distance above the lower peripheral marking  19 , so as to allow the predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , to be reduced in size. The predetermined distance could be selected between about one quarter distance from the base or bottom portion  11 , to the top portion  77 , of the predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , to about three quarter distance from the base or bottom portion  11 , to the top portion  77 , of the predefined selectable volume carton box  23 . The predetermined distance could be selected from a group comprising of about one quarter distance from the bottom portion  11 , to the top portion  77 , of the predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , or about one third distance from the base or bottom portion  11 , to the top portion  77 , of the predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , or about one half distance from the bottom or base portion  11 , to the top portion  77 , of the predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , or about one two third distance from the bottom portion  11 , to the top portion  77 , of the predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , or about three quarter distance from the base or bottom portion  11 , to the top portion  77 , of the predefined selectable volume carton box  23 . 
     The blank  33 ,  43 , of a bendable and creaseable material for forming a predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , has at least one upper peripheral marking  29 , having perforations  29 , so that at least one portion  20 , can be separated from the predefined selectable volume carton box  23 ,  33 ,  43 . It should be appreciated that the lower peripheral marking  19 ,  39 , can be used as an edge to bend the flaps  12 ,  16 ,  18 ,  46 ,  48 , and to define at least one intermediate box  14 . 
     The blank  33 , of a bendable and creaseable material for forming a predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , can have at least one slit portion  17 , that is defined in the blank  33 , between the first left wide side edge  31 A, the first right wide side edge  32 A, the upper peripheral marking  29 , and the at least one lower peripheral marking  19 . 
     The blank  33 , of a bendable and creaseable material for forming a predefined selectable volume carton box  23 , can have at least one tab portion  15 , that is defined in said blank  33 , between the first left wide side edge  31 A, the first right wide side edge  32 A, the at least one upper peripheral marking  29 , and the at least one lower peripheral marking  19 . 
     It should be appreciated that the tab or flap  11 B,  11 C,  16 ,  18 ,  26 ,  28 ,  36 ,  38 ,  41 A,  41 B,  56 ,  58 , could have a tab  15 ,  25 , relief area  45 ,  55 ,  75 , notches or indentations  59 ,  79 , slits  17 ,  27 , to name a few. 
     While the present invention has been particularly described in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.