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EVF41161

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.
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Product details

Top highlights

Unglued, one-piece construction with a hinged tuck lid
Manual assembly to seat the four corner hooks
Sensitive to board thickness for secure locking

About this product

The EVF41161 is a one-piece folding carton that forms a rigid tray and hinged lid without adhesive. The front and back walls feature ear hooks that manually lock into receiving slits on the side walls. This creates a clean, single-ply presentation box that ships flat.

Because it avoids the double-wall construction of roll-end trays and the gluing steps of crash-lock cartons, it uses material efficiently. That efficiency trades off against packing labor, as operators manually seat all four corners during fulfillment.

Common uses

Bakery boxes
Apparel packaging
Lightweight retail kits
Premium gift boxes

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Retail and Presentation Packing

Retail presentation and unboxing

The single-ply walls and unglued corners create a clean aesthetic often used for boutique retail. The attached lid opens fully to display the product, while the side dust flaps keep the interior neat.

Flat-shipped fulfillment

Because the entire carton is cut from a single sheet without folding or gluing at the converter, it ships flat. This maximizes pallet density for facilities that have the space and labor to assemble boxes on demand.

In-store bakery packing

Often used as a pastry or cake box where a flat-packing, unglued format is preferred. The manual setup fits bakery environments where boxes are formed right before loading.

Lightweight apparel kitting

Clothing and accessories do not need heavy structural support, making the single-ply walls of this tray sufficient. The hook locks hold the shape well against lightweight, flexible items.

Apparel, Bakery, and Lightweight Kitting

Apparel and soft goods

Brands packing garments often prefer this style because it avoids glue seams and presents a clean interior when the lid is opened.

Bakery and confectionery

Food service operations use this tray for pastries and baked goods, relying on the flat storage and simple manual locking mechanism.

Corporate gifting and event kits

For promotional kits assembled by hand, this tray provides a structured presentation box without needing specialized packing equipment.

When to Consider Glued or Roll-End Trays

High-volume packing lines

If the fulfillment team cannot spend time locking four individual corners per box, consider a 4-corner glued tray or an automated crash-lock base. Glued formats cost more to manufacture but reduce assembly time.

Heavy products requiring rigid walls

The single-ply walls rely entirely on the ear hooks to prevent outward splay. For heavier items, a Roll-End Tuck-Top (RETT) tray uses double-wall sides that roll over and lock, providing higher burst resistance and stacking strength.

Unboxed parcel delivery

This tray is designed for retail hand-offs or master carton shipments. If the box will ship individually through a courier, a corrugated mailer with a secure locking tab or adhesive seal is a better comparison.

Board Caliper, Labor, and Route Choices

Exact board thickness

The receiving slits on the side walls are cut to match the exact board caliper. If the board is too thick, the hooks will crush or tear the slits. If it is too thin, the corners will be loose and the tray may splay.

Two-sided printing

Since the lid opens to reveal the inside of the tray, any interior branding means two-sided printing. The exterior of the tray and the top of the lid are printed on the primary side of the sheet.

Packing labor availability

Because each corner is seated manually, this box takes more operator time than a glued tray. Review the packing line capacity before selecting this format for large runs.

Outer shipping requirements

Determine how the loaded tray will reach the end user. It performs well inside a master carton or on a retail shelf, but individual parcel shipping usually points to an outer mailer.

Hook Offsets and Lid Tuck Adjustments

Hook size and offset

The depth and height of the ear hooks can be adjusted based on the material. Stiffer boards may need slightly modified hook profiles to allow them to bend and seat without cracking.

Lid tuck friction

The front tuck flap relies on friction against the front wall to stay closed. The depth of this tuck can be extended if the box holds bulkier items that might push upward against the lid.

Receiving slit width

The slits on the side panels are adjusted to match the exact caliper of the chosen paperboard, ensuring the hooks lock securely without tearing the material.

Packing details

Parcel shipping considerations

This tray is designed for retail shelves, direct hand-offs, or master carton shipments. If used for individual parcel delivery, the friction lid and hook corners are vulnerable to opening. It should be placed inside a corrugated outer shipper or secured with heavy-duty outer seals.

Additional notes

Board grain direction and hinge cracking

The grain direction of the paperboard should be planned to prevent cracking along the main wall folds and the lid hinge, ensuring the tray sets up squarely.

FAQs

Does this box need automated equipment to set up?

No. This format is designed for manual assembly. The packer folds the walls upright and inserts the four ear hooks into the side wall slits by hand.

Can this tray be made from corrugated board?

It is primarily designed for folding carton board. Using micro-flute corrugated is possible but risky, as the thicker material can crush at the hook locks or tear the receiving slits during assembly.

Will the lid stay closed during shipping?

The lid uses a friction tuck flap. While secure for retail handling or stacking inside a master carton, it is not designed for unboxed parcel delivery without an outer shipping box or applied seals.

Can the inside of the box be printed?

Yes, but because the entire tray and lid are cut from a single flat blank, printing the inside means running the board through the press on both sides.

How does the assembly time compare to other trays?

Because each of the four corners are manually aligned and locked, it takes longer to set up than a glued tray or a crash-lock box. It is best suited for operations where packing speed is not the primary bottleneck.

What happens if I change my board material later?

If you change the board thickness, the cutting die needs updating. The slits that receive the ear hooks are sized exactly to the board caliper to ensure a tight lock without tearing.

How is this tray delivered?

It is delivered completely flat. Because there are no glued seams, it maximizes pallet density and takes up minimal storage space before assembly.

Do I need tape or glue to assemble this tray?

No. The four corners lock together using the integrated ear hooks and receiving slits, holding the tray together mechanically.