Pail (container)

In technical usage in the shipping industry, a pail is a type of cylindrical shipping container with a capacity of about 3 to 50 litres (1 to 13 US gal). It can have straight or slanted sides and usually has a handle or bail.^[1] In non-technical usage, a pail is synonymous with a bucket.^[2]

Three gallon plastic pail of paint with screw closure

Steel pail of concentrated pesticide

Open-head plastic pails being reused to carry other items

Construction

Pails can be made of

• Steel, tinplate
• Aluminium
• Fibre, paperboard
• Plastics

Pails are either "open head" with removable lids (covers) or are "tight head" with sealed heads and a screw closure.

Pails made of wood, and later metal, were originally used to transport milk, before the introduction of the milk churn.

Uses

Pails are used for a variety of fluids and flowable materials. When properly constructed and certified, they may be used for dangerous goods shipments. ^[3]

Pails are shipping containers that are shipped individually, shipped as secure unit loads on pallets, or shipped in corrugated fiberboard boxes.

See also

• Bucket
• Plastic bottle