The open crate responds to redstone. However, it doesnt respond to redstone blocks or redstone torches placed like below.

The open crate is open by default and shuts when a Redstone signal is applied. However, the crate does not shut when a redstone signal is applied in the manner shown in the picture.

Open crate doesn't shut when powered by redstone. What you've probably been experiencing is that the hopper that's feeding into it is getting powered, which locks it. When an open crate gets powered, i believe it makes it so that items dropped have an extra delay before they can be handled by functional or generating flora. It should say what the behavior is in the lexica botania. Additionally, i believe that after a recent-ish 1.16 patch, it emits redstone particles when it's powered.

I'm sorry for the oversight. I apologize for wasting your time. I had no Idea that this was intentional. Sorry.

no worries :)