Interactive 3D

1 / 3

ECMA A01.60.00.00

Open-Bottom Hood with Auto-Lock Top

Available in a wide range of custom configurations & material selection.
Order 1 sample. Or order 100K+ units. Or anything in between.
Affordable delivery across North America.
Design support, warehousing, testing, assembly available.
Widest machinery capability in America via 30+ specialist partner plants.

Get pricing

Free white-glove consultations. Blazing-fast response time. Fast quotes.

Product details

Top highlights

Completely open bottom for dropping over products or bases
Auto-locking top snaps closed when the carton is squared
Delivered flat and requires no manual top-flap folding

About this product

The A01.60.00.00 is a specialized folding carton that acts as a fast-erecting hood or cover. Unlike standard boxes, it features a completely open bottom and an automatic crash-lock top. When the flat carton is squared, the top flaps snap together to form a rigid, closed surface, leaving the base open to drop over a product or secondary tray.

Because the auto-lock mechanism is at the top, this structure cannot hold items from underneath. If the goal is a standard bin with a closed floor and an open top, the inverted A60.01.00.00 is the correct comparison.

Common uses

Retail display covers
Protective hoods over rigid bases
Fast-erecting decorative sleeves
Multi-component retail packaging

Get a quote

Share what you know. We'll take it from there. Or email us at info@herculeindustrial.com

Describe your project *

Approximate quantity *

Size if known

Files or competing quote (optional)Drag files here or choose filesAdd drawings, photos, dielines, quotes, specs, or other useful files.Max 5 files, 25 MB total.

Name *

Email *

Phone

Optional

More details

You can skip this whole part, or open a section and answer only what you know.

Size and quantity

Detailed dimensions

Units US customary (inches)Metric

What do your dimensions describe?

Length

Width

Height

Size notes

Quantity notes

Materials and print

Paperboard preference

Add details for paperboard preference

Paperboard details

Print and artwork

Add details for print and artwork

Print, finish, or artwork details

Shipping or storage context

Custom changes or unusual needs

What will this hood cover?

Does the bottom edge need to match a specific shape?

Current box or specs

Do you have a current box, spec, or target sample?

Add details for do you have a current box, spec, or target sample?

Current box, known specs, or current problem

Destination ZIP or region

Company

Any deadline or timing constraint?

Practical Uses for an Open-Bottom Hood

Fast-Erecting Retail Covers

When a product is already seated in a rigid tray or blister, this carton acts as a protective and decorative hood. The operator simply squares the carton, lets the top snap closed, and slides the open bottom over the base.

Display Sleeves

Used as a structural sleeve over secondary packaging, providing a continuous printable surface on four sides and a clean, locked top.

Protective Hoods for Tray-Seated Goods

For heavier items that rest on a separate base or pallet, this hood provides a quick way to cover the product without lifting it into a box.

Top-Loading Presentation Sleeves

Used over a rigid inner tray where the top needs to look clean and closed, hiding the internal components while presenting a smooth outer surface.

Retail and Display Applications

High-Volume Assembly Lines

The crash-lock top eliminates the need to manually fold and tuck top flaps. This reduces handling time when capping or covering products at scale.

Multi-Component Retail Packaging

When a product is housed in a plastic blister or molded pulp tray, this hood provides the branded outer layer and physical protection without adding a redundant floor.

Contract Packing and Fulfillment

Contract packers use this style to quickly cap products without needing tape or glue on the packing line, relying entirely on the pre-glued auto-lock top.

When to Choose a Standard Bin Instead

Holding Products from the Bottom

The A01.60.00.00 has no bottom flaps. If the carton must hold items from underneath, the inverted A60.01.00.00 places the crash-lock mechanism on the floor and leaves the top open.

Need for a Manual Top Closure

If the auto-lock snap is too rigid for the board choice, or if the top needs to be opened and closed repeatedly, compare the A01.55.00.01, which uses a manual envelope closure instead.

Board Stiffness and Clearance for Auto-Erection

Board Caliper and Snap Action

The automatic top relies on board memory and stiffness to snap into place. The board choice must be rigid enough to force the diagonal creases to lock without bowing the main walls.

Internal Clearance

Because this carton slides over a product or base, the internal dimensions must account for the thickness of the board and any friction during application.

Grain Direction

The board grain should typically run parallel to the vertical creases. This helps the carton square up easily without resisting the push or bowing the side panels.

Base Edge Finish

The open bottom is a raw cut. Consider whether it needs to sit flush against a flat tray or if it requires contouring to match a specific base profile.

Adjusting the Lock and Base Profile

Locking Flap Clearances

The internal cut-backs and overlap of the top locking flaps can be adjusted to match the specific board thickness, ensuring the top closes smoothly without binding.

Base Edge Contouring

The straight bottom edge can be modified with cutouts or contours to fit over specific tray profiles or to reveal part of the inner product.

Top Panel Cutouts

Display windows or access holes can be added to the auto-locking top panels, provided they do not interfere with the diagonal creases that drive the snap action.

Board and packing details

Folder-Gluer Production

This carton requires multi-point gluing during manufacturing to pre-fold the top lock and secure the side seam. It is delivered flat and ready for fast assembly.

Additional notes

Manual vs. Automated Erection

While the top locks automatically, the carton itself can be squared up by hand or fed through automated erecting equipment that squares the tube and drops it over the product.

FAQs

Product Fit and Orientation

Will this carton hold my product?

No. The bottom is completely open. This structure is designed to act as a hood or cover that drops over a product that is already supported by a base, tray, or pallet.

Is this the correct code for a standard crash-lock box?

If the goal is a box with a crash-lock floor and an open top, the correct comparison is the A60.01.00.00. The A01.60.00.00 places the lock at the top and leaves the bottom open.

Assembly and Packing

How is the top closed?

The top flaps are pre-glued during manufacturing. When the flat carton's edges are pushed inward to square it, the top flaps automatically pull inward and interlock, creating a closed surface.

Does this carton require gluing during packing?

No. The side seam and the top crash-lock mechanism are glued by the manufacturer. The packer only needs to square the carton to engage the top lock.

Shipping and Route

Can this be used as a shipping box?

Not on its own. Because the bottom is open, it provides no containment for parcel shipping. It is typically used for retail presentation or as an inner component within a larger master shipper.

Materials and Production

Which board types suit this auto-lock top?

Folding boxboard (FBB) or solid bleached board (SBB) are common because they offer the right balance of stiffness and fold memory. If a thicker micro-flute corrugated board is used, the locking flap clearances must be adjusted so the top does not bind when snapping closed.

Modifications

Can the open bottom edge be modified?

Yes. While the standard template has a straight, raw cut at the bottom, the edge can be contoured or cut with display windows depending on how it needs to sit over the base product.

Sizing and Fit

How do I determine the right height for the hood?

Measure from the resting surface of the base tray to the highest point of the product, then add clearance to ensure the top locking flaps do not hit the product as they swing inward during assembly.