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EVF31121

Open-Ended Collapsible Tray

  • 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.
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30+specialist partner plants

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Best Price Guarantee terms

To qualify, send a written supplier quote dated within the past 30 days and addressed to your company. It must cover the same dimensions, construction, material, print, finish, quantity, tooling, freight, delivery date, and delivery location. The guarantee does not cover taxes, expired quotes, liquidation or clearance sales, or obvious pricing errors.

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Product details

Top highlights

  • Assembles instantly for rapid packing line fulfillment
  • Three-sided design with an open front for sliding access
  • Delivered flat to minimize inbound freight and storage

About this product

The EVF31121 is a three-sided, pre-glued paperboard tray that ships flat and snaps into shape instantly. With two standing side walls, a closed back, and a completely open front, it is designed to act as the sliding inner drawer for a slipcase or as an accessible retail display tray.

Because the front end is open, this tray relies on an outer sleeve, rigid box, or master shipper to contain the product during movement.

Common uses

  • Slipcase drawers
  • Retail shelf trays
  • Kitting inserts

Get a quote

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

Best Price Guarantee

Already have a packaging quote? Let us beat it.

Send us the quote you have. We will beat it for the same specifications, quantity, and delivery requirements.

Upload a competing quote

Free quote review. No obligation.

30+specialist partner plants

We supply through the plant best suited to your price, material, production, and delivery requirements.

Why we can beat a lower quote

30+ plants give us more ways to lower the price.

Each plant has different machinery, material costs, order minimums, and freight rates. Our buying volume helps us secure better pricing. We then quote through the plant that gives you the lowest total price for your requirements.

Send us your current quote. Watch us beat it.

Attach it to the quote form or email it to us. We'll review it free and send you our price.

Upload a competing quoteinfo@herculeindustrial.com
Best Price Guarantee terms

To qualify, send a written supplier quote dated within the past 30 days and addressed to your company. It must cover the same dimensions, construction, material, print, finish, quantity, tooling, freight, delivery date, and delivery location. The guarantee does not cover taxes, expired quotes, liquidation or clearance sales, or obvious pricing errors.

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Slipcase Drawers and Retail Display Trays

Inner Drawers for Slipcases

The open front makes this tray a natural sliding drawer for two-piece slipcase packaging. The rigid back wall provides a pushing surface, while the open end allows the consumer to see or access the product immediately upon opening.

Shelf-Ready Display Trays

For retail environments, the three-sided setup holds products securely on the sides and back while leaving the front completely unobstructed for easy consumer access and clear brand visibility.

Kitting and Assembly Inserts

When packing multiple components into a larger master carton, this tray acts as a quick-loading base. The open end allows packers to slide items in rapidly before placing the entire tray into the outer box.

Sliding Trays for Rigid Boxes

Used as the inner sliding component for premium rigid setup boxes. The pre-glued corners ensure the tray stays square, while the open front allows for easy removal of the contents.

High-Volume Hand Packing

Rapid Fulfillment Lines

Because the back corners are pre-glued by the manufacturer, the tray requires no manual folding or locking tabs at the packing station. Operators simply lift the side walls, and the tray snaps into its rigid 3D shape, reducing assembly time.

Retail Presentation

Brands that need immediate product visibility on the shelf benefit from the missing front wall. It removes visual barriers while keeping the product contained on three sides.

Multi-Component Kitting

Operations that group several items together before final boxing use this tray to stage the kit. The open front allows workers to slide items in without lifting them over a front wall.

Four-Sided Containment for Loose Items

Four-Sided Containment for Loose Items

If the tray needs to hold loose items securely on all four sides or act as a standalone protective base, a four-corner glued tray is a better choice. The open end on this style offers no forward containment without an outer sleeve.

Standalone Shipping Needs

If the package must travel through a courier network without an outer sleeve or master carton, a fully enclosed mailer or shipping box is required. This tray provides no top or front protection.

Board Thickness and Outer Sleeve Pairing

Board Thickness and Corner Folds

This tray relies on 45-degree diagonal folds at the back corners to collapse flat. It is primarily designed for standard folding carton board. If heavier micro-flute corrugated is needed, the corner clearances must be carefully checked to ensure the material does not bind or crush when opening into its 3D shape.

Outer Sleeve Tolerances

Because the front end lacks a connecting wall, the side panels can bow slightly outward depending on the board's grain direction and the product's weight. The dimensions of the mating slipcase or outer sleeve should account for this slight outward pressure to ensure a smooth sliding fit.

Grain Direction for Side Wall Straightness

Aligning the paperboard grain parallel to the long side walls helps keep them straight and reduces outward bowing at the open end. This detail should be discussed with the manufacturer to ensure the tray slides cleanly into its outer housing.

Print Surface Planning

The base and interior side walls offer uninterrupted panels for printing. However, the internal glued webs will cover the back corners on the inside, which should be factored into the artwork layout.

Flap Tapers and Corner Adjustments

Flap Tapers for Smooth Assembly

The internal glue flaps can be tapered to prevent them from catching on the product or binding during the instant assembly motion. Adjusting these tapers helps tune the tray for faster fulfillment.

Wall Height Clearances

The height of the side and back walls can be adjusted to fit smoothly inside the outer sleeve, ensuring a snug fit that prevents the drawer from rattling.

Base Length and Width Proportions

The footprint can be scaled to fit the product, but the relationship between the width and the 45-degree corner webs must be maintained so the tray can still fold completely flat for delivery.

Packing details

Grain Direction and Side Wall Bowing

Aligning the paperboard grain parallel to the long side walls helps keep them straight and reduces outward bowing at the open end, ensuring the tray slides cleanly into its outer housing.

Additional notes

Assembly tension and glue seams

The instant assembly relies on the glued back corners. If the tray is erected too aggressively or overloaded, these seams bear the tension. Testing with the actual product weight ensures the corners hold up during packing.

Related Tray Styles

FAQs

Can this tray be shipped on its own?

No. The open front provides no containment or crush resistance. It must be paired with an outer sleeve, rigid box, or packed securely inside a master shipper for transit.

Does this tray require manual folding or locking tabs?

No. The back corners are pre-glued during manufacturing. The tray arrives flat and snaps into its final shape instantly when the side walls are lifted.

Can this tray be made from corrugated board?

It is primarily designed for folding carton paperboard. While thin micro-flutes can sometimes be used, thicker corrugated board will bind at the diagonal corner folds and prevent the tray from collapsing flat.

How do I ensure the tray fits my slipcase?

The open front means the side walls may flex slightly outward. The outer sleeve should be sized with enough tolerance to accommodate this flex without making the drawer too loose.

Where is the best place for branding on this tray?

The base and the interior side walls offer uninterrupted panels for printing. The back wall is also fully printable, though the internal glued webs will cover the back corners on the inside.

Should I test a prototype before ordering the outer sleeve?

Yes. Testing a physical sample with your exact product helps verify that the side walls remain straight and that the tray slides smoothly into the planned outer sleeve.

Can the open end be closed after loading?

No. This specific tray style lacks a front wall or folding flaps at the open end. It is designed to remain open for sliding access or display.

How are the back corners sealed?

The manufacturer glues the internal web flaps to the side walls. This creates a secure corner that allows the tray to fold flat for delivery and assemble instantly during packing.