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]
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.
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Flexner, Stuart; Hauck, epmpre, eds. (1993) [1987]. Random House Unabridged Dictionary (hardcover) (second ed.). New York: Random House. p. 271. ISBN0-679-429174.