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 can be made of
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.
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.