Carton With Article Protection Features

A method of forming a carton for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising:

• obtaining a carton blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a top panel;
• obtaining an insert blank comprising a central panel, an inner end flap foldably connected to the central panel, and at least one crown guard flap foldably connected to the inner end flap adjacent a crown guard opening in the insert, the central panel comprising a stop edge adjacent the crown guard opening, and the crown guard flap comprising a first portion foldably connected to the inner end flap and a second portion foldably connected to the first portion, the second portion being spaced apart from the stop edge of the central panel by the crown guard opening;
• positioning the insert blank relative to the carton blank so that the top panel at least partially overlaps the central panel;
• forming an interior of the carton at least partially defined by the plurality of panels, the forming the interior of the carton comprising forming an open-ended sleeve;
• and
• forming a crown retention feature in the interior of the carton comprising folding the inner end flap over an end of the open-ended sleeve, the folding the inner end flap causing the first portion of the crown guard flap to fold with respect to the inner end flap and the second portion of the crown guard flap and positioning the second portion to be adjacent the stop edge of the central panel.