Reinforced package

In combination, a carton blank and a bag for forming a reinforced package for holding a product:

• the carton blank being for forming a carton, the carton blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the front panel along a first fold line, a back panel foldably connected to at least the first side panel along a second fold line, and a second side panel foldably connected to at least one of the front panel and the back panel;
• and
• the bag having an at least partially open end, an at least partially closed end, and an interior space for holding a product, the bag being at least partially attached to the carton blank;
• wherein the reinforced package formed from the carton blank and the bag is positionable in a non-erect position wherein the interior space of the bag is at least partially collapsed and in an erect position wherein the interior space of the bag is increased;
• wherein the first side panel and the second side panel comprise retention features for at least partially retaining the carton formed from the carton blank in the erect position, and the retention features comprise at least a V-shaped fold line extending from the first fold line and extending in the first side panel.

A method of forming a reinforced package comprising:

• obtaining a carton blank at least partially attached to a bag, the carton blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a front panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the front panel along a first fold line, a back panel foldably connected to at least the first side panel along a second fold line, and a second side panel foldably connected to at least one of the front panel and the back panel, and the bag comprising an at least partially open end, an at least partially closed end, and an interior space for holding a product;
• forming an interior of a carton at least partially defined by the plurality of panels by folding the plurality of panels at least partially around the bag;
• wherein the carton is positionable in a non-erect position wherein the interior space of the bag is at least partially collapsed and in an erect position wherein the interior space of the bag is increased, and the carton is configured to support the bag in the erect position;
• wherein the first side panel and the second side panel comprise retention features for at least partially retaining the carton in the erect position, and the retention features comprise at least a V-shaped fold line extending from the first fold line and extending in the first side panel.