Carton with integrated tray

A carton comprising:

• a plurality of wall panels arranged so that the carton is substantially rectangular, the plurality of wall panels comprises:
• (a) two main panels,
• (b) an intermediate panel positioned between and connected to the main panels, and
• (c) a plurality of flap panels respectively formed by pairs of first flaps that are folded and adhered together, each of the first flaps being foldably connected to one of the main panels;
• a tear strip extending around the carton, the tear strip having an alternating series of narrow and wide regions, and the tear strip being formed by a plurality of removable links connected in series, each of the removable links being disposed in a respective one of the wall panels, wherein one or more of the removable links is at least partially formed by a pair of first tear-away subportions respectively disposed in one of the pairs of the first flaps;
• wherein the carton is convertible to a first tray and a second tray by removal of the tear strip and upon removal of the tear strip, the first and second trays are separated into a first configuration in which each of the first and second trays comprises:
• one of the main panels, and
• a plurality of corner wall members respectively located at corner areas of the one of the main panels, wherein each of the corner wall members comprises a pair of walls that are perpendicular to each other and extend perpendicularly away from the one of the main panels;
• and
• wherein the carton further comprises a plurality of oblique corner fold lines respectively located at the corner areas of the one of the main panels, whereby the first and second trays can be placed in a second configuration in which each of the corner areas is folded through about 180° about a respective one of the corner fold lines, with respect to the first configuration, such that the each of the corner areas lies underneath the one of the main panels and can support the one of the main panels in an elevated position.

A method of converting a carton into at least one other construct, comprising:

• providing a carton comprising a tear strip extending around the carton, the tear strip having an alternating series of narrow and wide regions;
• and
• removing the tear strip such that the carton is converted into at least a first tray and a second tray, wherein removing the tear strip separates the at least first and second trays such that the at least first and second trays are each configured in a first configuration in which the at least first and second trays each comprise:
• a platform, and
• a plurality of corner wall members respectively located at corner areas of the platform, wherein each of the corner wall members comprises a pair of walls that are perpendicular to each other and extended perpendicularly away from the platform, and
• a plurality of oblique corner fold lines respectively located at the corner areas of the platform;
• the method further comprising placing at least one of the at least first and second trays in a second configuration by folding each of the corner areas through about 180° about a respective one of the corner fold lines with respect to the first configuration such that each of the corner areas lies underneath the platform and can support the platform in an elevated position.