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EVF41160

Ear-Hook Lock Tray with Hinged Lid

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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Product details

Top highlights

Glue-free manual assembly
Hinged lid with friction-fit tucks
Ships flat to save storage space

About this product

This one-piece folding carton features a hinged lid and ear-hook corner locks that assemble without glue. The front and back walls fold up, and their hook-shaped tabs snap securely into slits on the side walls, creating a clean, rigid tray for retail presentation.

Because it relies on precise mechanical locks rather than adhesive, this design is sensitive to board thickness. It is a strong fit for lightweight kitting, apparel, and bakery goods where a clean unboxing experience is prioritized over machine-erected speed.

Common uses

Apparel
Bakery
Lightweight kitting

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Retail and Presentation Uses

Lightweight retail kitting

The clean lines and integrated lid make this a strong fit for multi-item retail kits. The lack of glue seams keeps the interior presentation neat.

Apparel and soft goods

Often used for shirts, accessories, or boutique items where the buyer expects a hinged unboxing experience. The friction-fit lid keeps the contents secure on the shelf.

Bakery and confectionery

Suitable for lightweight baked goods when produced with appropriate food-safe boards and coatings. The flat delivery saves space in crowded retail backrooms.

Event and promotional gifting

The integrated lid and clean interior make this tray useful for corporate gifts or event handouts. The lack of glue seams keeps the focus on the presentation.

Fulfillment and Packing Environments

Manual packing stations

This tray is assembled by hand. Operators fold the walls and seat the ear hooks into the side slits. It makes sense for fulfillment centers that have planned time for manual corner locking.

Space-constrained storage

Because the entire structure is a single flat blank with no pre-glued joints, it stores efficiently before use.

Short-run or seasonal programs

The glue-free design means this tray can be produced without folder-gluer setup, making it a practical choice for seasonal promotions or limited-edition retail runs.

When to Consider Alternative Trays

High-speed automated packing

The ear-hook locks involve manual manipulation. If your volume points toward automated erecting, review machine-formed glued trays or crash-lock base cartons.

Direct parcel shipping

The mechanical locks and friction-tuck lid can open during rough transit. For e-commerce delivery, this tray is usually placed inside a dedicated outer shipping box or mailer.

Heavy or dense products

The ear hooks bear the outward pressure of the corners. Heavy items can cause the locks to tear or splay. A roll-end tuck-top (RETT) tray with double-thick side walls often provides better burst resistance for heavier goods.

Board, Fit, and Assembly Choices

Board thickness and lock fit

The width of the receiving slits should match the caliper (thickness) of your chosen board. Changing materials later in the process usually means adjusting the die-cut template so the hooks do not bind or tear.

Folding carton versus corrugated

This design is optimized for standard folding carton boards. Using corrugated board increases the risk of the hooks crushing or tearing during assembly, and usually involves prototype validation.

Print and graphic placement

All outer panels, including the lid and side walls, are fully accessible for printing. Be mindful of graphics that cross the corner locks, as they need careful registration.

Packing labor and assembly time

Because the four corners lock manually, assembly takes slightly longer than folding a standard glued tray. This time should be factored into fulfillment planning.

Template Adjustments

Locking tab geometry

The height, bevel angle, and fillet radius of the ear hooks can be modified to change how tightly the corners snap together, though this should always be tested with a physical sample.

Lid tuck friction

The depth and radius of the front and side tuck flaps can be adjusted to increase or decrease the opening resistance of the lid.

Dust flap clearance

The side dust flaps on the lid can be shortened or reshaped if they interfere with the internal product during closing.

Packing details

Grain direction planning

To prevent the main wall hinges from cracking during assembly, the board's grain direction should be aligned with the longest primary folds.

Additional notes

Manual setup and packing labor

Fulfillment teams should test the assembly motion to accurately budget packing time, as seating the four ear hooks takes slightly longer than folding a standard glued tray.

FAQs

Can this tray be erected on automated machinery?

The ear-hook corner locks are designed for manual assembly. Operators fold the walls up and physically seat the hooks into the side-wall slits.

Is this box secure enough to ship on its own?

The friction-fit lid and mechanical corner locks are designed for retail presentation and shelf storage. For parcel shipping, it is usually packed inside a corrugated outer mailer or shipping box.

Can I use corrugated board for this design?

The ear hooks and receiving slits are optimized for thinner folding carton boards. Corrugated flutes can crush or tear at the lock points. If corrugated is needed, the locking mechanism should be modified and tested.

Why does board thickness matter so much for this tray?

The side-wall slits are cut to match the exact thickness of the board. If the board is too thick, the hooks will bind and tear; if it is too thin, the corners will be loose and the tray may lose its shape.

Are there any restrictions on printing?

The entire exterior is accessible for print. However, because the corners interlock, any continuous graphics wrapping around the corners will need careful alignment and registration during production.

Should I request a physical sample before ordering?

Because the corner locks rely entirely on friction and board stiffness, a physical prototype helps confirm that the tray holds your specific product without the corners splaying.

Does this tray require glue?

This design is entirely glue-free. The corners hold together using mechanical ear hooks, and the lid secures with friction-fit tuck flaps.

How is this tray delivered?

It is delivered flat. Because there are no glued seams, the flat blanks stack very densely, saving space in storage and transit.