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EVF41168

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

  • 100% glue-free mechanical assembly
  • Ships completely flat to minimize inbound freight
  • Relies on manual ear-hook insertion during packing

About this product

The EVF41168 is a single-piece folding carton that forms a rigid presentation tray and attached lid without the use of adhesive. Instead of glued seams, it relies on manual ear-hook tabs that lock into the side walls, creating a clean, structured box that ships completely flat.

Because it bypasses the folder-gluer entirely, manufacturing is highly efficient. However, the multi-step manual assembly shifts the cost burden to the fulfillment stage, making this tray a practical choice for lower-volume retail rollouts, kitting, or operations where flat storage is more critical than packing speed.

Common uses

  • Lightweight cosmetics
  • Electronics accessories
  • Apparel kitting
  • Small retail goods

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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Retail Presentation and Kitting

Lightweight retail goods and cosmetics

The clean, unglued corners and attached lid provide an excellent unboxing experience for cosmetics, electronics accessories, and apparel. The lack of glued seams leaves the interior and exterior panels uninterrupted for high-quality graphics.

Pegboard and shelf displays

With an optional hanging hole integrated into the locking panel, the closed tray can be hung directly on retail pegboards or stacked neatly on shelves. The front tuck flap keeps the lid secured during customer handling.

Apparel and soft goods kitting

Soft items that do not exert heavy outward pressure on the side walls are well-suited for this tray. The attached lid allows for easy presentation of folded garments or accessory kits.

Electronics accessories and small parts

For lightweight tech accessories, the tray provides a structured presentation. The friction-fit dust flaps and front lock help keep small components contained on the retail shelf.

Low-Volume Rollouts and Flat-Storage Operations

Operations prioritizing flat storage

Because the tray uses no pre-gluing, it ships completely flat. This maximizes inbound freight efficiency and minimizes warehouse footprint before the product is packed.

Manual kitting and fulfillment

This package relies entirely on human hands to fold the corner flaps and seat the ear hooks into their slots. It fits well in manual kitting lines where operators are already handling multiple components.

Short-run retail promotions

For limited-edition products or seasonal rollouts, avoiding the folder-gluer setup can make short production runs more practical. The tradeoff is the additional time spent assembling the trays by hand.

When to Consider Glued or Roll-End Trays

High-volume packing lines

If packing speed is the primary bottleneck, the manual ear-hook assembly will slow down fulfillment. A four-corner glued tray or an auto-bottom carton is often a better choice for high-speed operations.

Heavy products or parcel shipping

The mechanical locks are designed for lightweight retail presentation. Heavy items can cause the side walls to splay, and the friction-tuck lid can pop open during rough courier transit. For direct-to-consumer shipping, consider a corrugated mailer or place this tray inside a secure outer shipper.

Board Tear Strength and Display Routing

Board tear resistance

The ear hooks bear the tension of the erected walls. Brittle or overly thin board can tear at the hook roots during assembly. Specifying a board with high tear resistance, such as virgin FBB or SBS, helps ensure the locks hold securely.

Board caliper and slot width

The width of the receiving slots should be calibrated to the chosen board thickness. Changing the board caliper without adjusting the die-cut profile can result in hooks that either fail to lock or tear when forced.

Display routing

Decide whether the product will hang on a pegboard or sit on a shelf. This determines whether the hanging hole should be included in the final die, as removing it can simplify the cut and strengthen the end wall.

Packing labor capacity

Because every corner is manually hooked into place, fulfillment takes longer per unit than with pre-glued crash-lock cartons. Factoring this labor time into the overall rollout schedule helps avoid bottlenecks.

Hanging Holes and Lock Styles

Pegboard hanging hole

The base template includes a hanging hole on the short wall opposite the lid hinge. If the tray will only be stacked on shelves, this hole can be removed to simplify the die and strengthen the wall.

Front lock style

The front tuck flap can engage with different receiver styles. The base model uses a tongue lock, while variants can use a slit lock receiver on the front wall for a different closure feel.

Dust flap friction tabs

The side dust flaps on the lid include small friction tabs that fold slightly to provide tension inside the tray. These can be adjusted based on the board thickness to ensure the lid stays closed without being too difficult to open.

Packing details

Stripping complexity

The intricate cuts for the ear hooks and the front lock receiver demand precise stripping during die-cutting to ensure all waste is removed cleanly before delivery.

Template Variants

EVF41168

The base configuration features a tongue lock for the front tuck flap and includes a hanging hole for pegboard displays.

EVF41168_1

A variant that uses a slit lock receiver on the front wall instead of a tongue lock, and typically omits the hanging hole for standard shelf stacking.

Additional notes

Packing labor considerations

Because every corner is manually hooked into place, fulfillment will take longer per unit than with pre-glued crash-lock cartons. Factoring this labor time into the overall rollout schedule helps avoid bottlenecks.

Related Retail Trays

Four-Corner Glued Trays

Consider this alternative when packing speed is critical and the tray should open quickly.

FAQs

Can this tray be erected on automated packaging lines?

The ear-hook locking mechanism relies on manual manipulation to fold the corner flaps and seat the tabs into the side wall slots. It is designed for hand assembly.

Does this package use glue or tape?

The tray and lid assemble entirely through mechanical friction locks. Tape or clear wafer seals are only necessary if tamper evidence is desired for retail shelves.

What board types work well for the ear-hook locks?

Folding carton boards with high tear resistance, such as Solid Bleached Sulfate or virgin Folding Box Board, are often recommended. Recycled or brittle boards are more prone to tearing at the hook joints during assembly.

Is this tray suitable for e-commerce parcel shipping?

The friction-tuck lid and mechanical corner locks can dislodge under the impact of mixed-carrier transit. It is generally placed inside a corrugated outer shipper for direct-to-consumer delivery.

Can the hanging hole be removed?

If the product will be stacked on shelves rather than hung on pegboards, the hanging hole can be removed from the template to create a solid end wall.

Can I change the board thickness later?

Any change in board caliper means recalculating the width of the receiving slots and the ear-hook clearances. Using a thicker board without updating the die can make the tray difficult to assemble without tearing.

How does the lid stay closed on the shelf?

The lid features a front tuck flap that inserts into the tray and engages a tongue or slit lock on the front wall, preventing accidental opening during customer handling.

Does the tray ship flat or pre-assembled?

Because it uses no gluing during manufacturing, the tray ships completely flat to the fulfillment center, maximizing inbound freight efficiency.