Carton with insert

In combination, a carton blank and a reinforcing insert for forming a carton for holding a plurality of containers,

• the carton blank comprising:
• a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel;
• a plurality of end flaps respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels for at least partially overlapping with respect to one another to at least partially close an end of the carton formed from the carton blank, the plurality of end flaps comprising a top end flap foldably connected to the top panel;
• the reinforcing insert comprising:
• a central panel at least partially overlapping and adhering to the top panel;
• a reinforcing end flap comprising a proximal portion foldably connected to the central panel, an intermediate portion foldably connected to the proximal portion, and a distal portion foldably connected to the intermediate portion, wherein the distal portion of the reinforcing end flap at least partially overlaps the top end flap;
• and
• a reinforcing side flap foldably connected to the central panel.

A method of forming a carton comprising:

• obtaining a carton blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel, a plurality of end flaps respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps comprising a top end flap foldably connected to the top panel;
• obtaining a reinforcing insert comprising a central panel, a reinforcing end flap, and a reinforcing side flap foldably connected to the central panel, the reinforcing end flap comprising a proximal portion foldably connected to the central panel, an intermediate portion foldably connected to the proximal portion, and a distal portion foldably connected to the intermediate portion;
• positioning the reinforcing insert relative to the carton blank so that the central panel at least partially overlaps and adheres to the top panel and the distal portion of the reinforcing insert at least partially overlaps the top end flap;
• 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;
• positioning the plurality of end flaps and the reinforcing end flap to at least partially close an end of the open-ended sleeve.