Carton with tray

In combination, a carton blank and a tray blank for forming a carton for containing a plurality of articles arranged in at least a first layer and a second layer above the first layer,

• the carton blank comprising a plurality of panels for at least partially extending around an interior of the carton formed from the blank and an opening feature extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels, and a plurality of end flaps respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps for being overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton formed from the carton blank;
• and
• the tray blank comprising at least a main panel for at least partially forming a tray disposed at least partially in the interior of the carton formed from the carton blank, at least a portion of the main panel being for positioning between the first layer and the second layer, wherein when the carton is formed, the tray is for supporting the articles in the second layer to allow removal of the articles in the second layer after activation of the opening feature of the carton formed from the carton blank;
• and
• features for forming an opening extending in the closed end of the carton formed from the carton blank.

A method of forming a carton, comprising:

• obtaining a carton blank and a tray blank, the carton blank comprising a plurality of panels and a plurality of end flaps respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the plurality of panels comprises a side panel, the plurality of end flaps comprises a side end flap foldably connected to the side panel, and the carton blank further comprising an opening feature extending in at least the side end flap and the side panel, and the tray blank comprising at least a main 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;
• forming a tray from the tray blank;
• arranging a plurality of containers in at least a first layer and a second layer so that at least a portion of the main panel of the tray is disposed between the first layer and the second layer;
• and
• inserting the plurality of containers and the tray at least partially into the interior of the carton, wherein the tray supports the articles in the second layer to allow removal of the articles in the second layer after activation of the opening feature of the carton.

A method of opening a carton, comprising:

• obtaining a carton comprising a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton, an opening feature extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels, and a tray disposed at least partially in the interior of the carton, wherein the carton contains a plurality of articles arranged in at least a first layer and a second layer above the first layer, and at least a portion of the tray is disposed between the first layer and the second layer, the tray at least partially containing the articles in the second layer, and the plurality of panels comprises a side panel, the carton further comprising a plurality of end flaps respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps being overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton, the plurality of end flaps comprises a side end flap foldably connected to the side panel;
• at least partially opening the carton by actuating the opening feature extending in at least the side end flap and the side panel to at least partially separate an upper portion and a lower portion of the carton and at least partially removing the upper portion;
• and
• removing the tray and the second layer of articles from the lower portion of the carton.

A method of forming a handle in a carton, comprising:

• obtaining a carton comprising a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton, an opening feature extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels, and a tray disposed at least partially in the interior of the carton, the tray comprising a main panel and a handle foldably connected to the main panel, wherein the carton contains a plurality of articles arranged in at least a first layer and a second layer above the first layer, and at least a portion of the main panel is disposed between the first layer and the second layer;
• grasping the handle of the tray;
• folding the handle out from the interior of the carton;
• actuating the opening feature to separate the carton into an upper portion and a lower portion;
• at least partially removing the upper portion of the carton;
• and
• carrying the tray and the second layer of the plurality of articles at handle of the tray and removing the tray and the second layer of the plurality of articles from the lower portion of the carton.

A package comprising:

• a carton containing a plurality of articles arranged in at least a first layer and a second layer above the first layer, the carton comprising:
• a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprises a side panel;
• a plurality of end flaps respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the plurality of end flaps being overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton, the plurality of end flaps comprises a side end flap foldably connected to the side panel;
• and
• an opening feature for accessing the articles in the carton, the opening feature extending in at least the side end flap and the side panel;
• and
• a tray at least partially disposed in the carton, wherein at least a portion of the tray is positioned between the first layer and the second layer, the tray supporting the articles in the second layer when removing the articles in the second layer after activation of the opening feature of the carton.