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EVF41162

Ear Hook Lock Tray with 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

Assembles manually without glue using interlocking corner tabs
Hinged lid with side dust flaps for a clean, dust-resistant closure
Ships flat to maximize storage and transport efficiency

About this product

This one-piece folding carton forms a clean, unglued presentation tray using mechanical ear-hook locks. The front and back walls feature rounded tabs that snap securely into slits on the side walls, creating a rigid base without adhesive.

An attached hinged lid with a front tuck flap and side dust flaps provides a smooth, friction-fit closure. Because it relies entirely on single-wall interlocking panels, it offers a refined aesthetic for retail goods, cosmetics, and light kits while shipping completely flat.

Common uses

Retail packaging
Cosmetics
Light-duty kits
Presentation boxes

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Retail and Presentation Packing

Retail packaging and cosmetics

The unglued, single-wall construction leaves no visible adhesive seams, making it a strong fit for primary retail presentation where unboxing aesthetics matter.

Light-duty kitting

The attached lid and dust flaps keep multiple small components contained and protected from dust on the retail shelf.

Promotional kits and influencer mailers

When placed inside a protective outer shipper, the clean interior and hinged lid provide an excellent unboxing experience for promotional items.

Boutique bakery and confectionery

Useful for lightweight dry goods where a premium, glue-free presentation is preferred, provided the board choice is appropriate for food contact.

Kitting and Store-Floor Setup

Manual assembly environments

Because the tray requires manual folding to engage the ear hooks into the side wall slits, it fits operations that rely on hand-packing rather than automated erecting machinery.

Space-constrained fulfillment

The one-piece design ships entirely flat (knocked down), requiring minimal warehouse space before assembly.

Premium unboxing experiences

Brands looking to avoid visible glue lines or rough corrugated edges often choose this style for a cleaner, more refined presentation.

When to Consider Glued or Double-Wall Trays

High-speed automated packing

If your line uses automated folder-gluers or case erectors, the manual ear-hook locks will slow down production. A pre-glued crash-lock base or a machine-erected tray may be a better choice.

Heavy or fragile transit

The single-wall construction and friction-fit lid are designed for presentation, not rough parcel shipping. For direct-to-consumer shipping, consider a corrugated mailer or placing this tray inside a protective outer box.

Need for double-wall strength

If the product requires higher stacking strength or more rigid side walls, a roll-end tuck-top (RETT) tray provides double-wall sides and a roll-over lock instead of single-wall ear hooks.

Board Choice and Lock Tolerances

Board caliper and lock fit

The hook and slit dimensions are very sensitive to board thickness. If you change from a standard folding boxboard to a thicker material, the lock geometry must be adjusted so the tabs do not tear or fit too loosely.

Print and finish placement

All outer panels are on the same side of the blank, making single-sided printing very effective for full exterior branding.

Assembly labor allocation

Since the corner locks must be engaged by hand, packing facilities need to account for the manual labor required to erect each tray before loading.

Outer shipping protection

Because the friction-fit lid can open during rough handling, decide early if this tray will be handed directly to consumers or if it needs an outer shipping box for courier delivery.

Adjusting the Lid and Corner Locks

Lid flap depth

The front tuck flap and side dust flaps can be extended or shortened to change the friction feel of the closure.

Hook and slit geometry

The depth of the catch and the shape of the receiving slit can be tuned to balance assembly speed against lock security.

Dust flap profile

The side dust flaps on the lid can be shaped with different corner radii to prevent binding against the side walls during closure.

Packing details

Prototyping the corner locks

Because the mechanical locks rely on exact board thickness, cutting a physical sample from the final production material is a best practice. This confirms the ears engage smoothly without tearing the side wall slits.

Additional notes

Coating and lock friction

Heavy coatings or laminations can increase the thickness of the board and change the friction of the ear hooks. Always test the lock engagement with the final finished material.

FAQs

Does this tray require glue or tape to stay together?

No. The tray base holds its shape using mechanical ear hooks that slide into slits on the side walls. The lid stays closed via a friction-fit tuck flap.

Can this box be erected on automated packaging lines?

This specific ear-hook design requires manual manipulation to engage the corner locks, making it a poor fit for fully automated erecting equipment.

Can I use corrugated board for this tray?

It is generally designed for paperboard. Using corrugated board often crushes the intricate hook and slit locks, though micro-flutes might work if the lock dimensions are heavily modified and tested.

Is this package secure enough for parcel shipping?

On its own, the friction-fit lid and mechanical corners can open during rough transit. It usually requires an outer shipping box or a secure outer seal for courier networks.

Are the inside and outside printed on the same pass?

Because it is a single flat piece, the entire exterior is printed on one side of the sheet. If you want printing on the inside of the tray or lid, it requires double-sided printing.

Why is board thickness so critical for this design?

The slits on the side walls are sized exactly for the thickness of the board. If the board is too thick, the hooks will not fit; if it is too thin, the corners will be loose and the tray may collapse.

Can I add a window patch to the lid?

Yes, a window cutout can be added to the top lid panel for product visibility, though it requires a separate window-patching operation and slightly reduces the lid's rigidity.

How does board grain direction affect the tray?

The grain of the paperboard should run perpendicular to the main load-bearing creases. If the side walls bow outward due to incorrect grain direction, the slits can slip off the hooks, releasing the corners.