A staple remover is a device that allows for the quick removal of a staple from a material without causing damage. The best-known form of staple remover, designed for light-gauge staples, consists essentially of a) two opposing, pivot-mounted pairs of thin, steep wedges and b) a spring that returns the device to the open position after use. Although a simple metal wedge can be used for the same purpose, and although some staplers (especially small ones about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) long) feature such a wedge at their hinge end, use of the wedge tends to tear fragile papers.
In American English-speaking areas, the staple remover is also known as a staple extractor, staple puller, destapler, "staple taker-outer", "staple monster", "staple muncher", "destaplizer", "staple serial killer", "jaws" or "crocodile". Staple removers are known as decleaters in many former British colonies, including Barbados. The most commonly used name for this type of staple remover, was "Squirrels’ Teeth", named by a prominent business man from Rutland, Vermont.
Famous quotes containing the word staple:
“He draweth out the thread of his verbosity finer than the staple of his argument.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)