A staple remover (also known as a destapler) is a device that allows for the quick removal of a

staple Staple may refer to: *Staple food, a foodstuff that forms the basic constituent of a diet *Staple (fastener), a small formed metal fastener **Surgical staple Arts, entertainment, and media * Staple (band), a Christian post-hardcore band ** ''Stap ...

from a material without causing damage. The best-known form of staple remover, designed for light-

gauge Gauge ( or ) may refer to: Measurement * Gauge (instrument), any of a variety of measuring instruments * Gauge (firearms) * Wire gauge, a measure of the size of a wire ** American wire gauge, a common measure of nonferrous wire diameter, es ...

staples, consists of two opposing, pivot-mounted pairs of thin, steep wedges and a

spring Spring(s) may refer to: Common uses * Spring (season), a season of the year * Spring (device), a mechanical device that stores energy * Spring (hydrology), a natural source of water * Spring (mathematics), a geometric surface in the shape of a h ...

that returns the device to the open position after use. Although a simple metal

wedge A wedge is a triangular shaped tool, and is a portable inclined plane, and one of the six simple machines. It can be used to separate two objects or portions of an object, lift up an object, or hold an object in place. It functions by converti ...

can be used for the same purpose, and although some staplers (especially small ones about long) feature such a wedge at their hinge end, use of the wedge tends to tear fragile

paper Paper is a thin sheet material produced by mechanically or chemically processing cellulose fibres derived from wood, Textile, rags, poaceae, grasses or other vegetable sources in water, draining the water through fine mesh leaving the fibre e ...

Use

Proper use of the opposing wedge staple remover is debated; the two major methods are described below.

Original method

The user clips the front flat side of the staple, forcing the folded tabs on the reverse side to open and pull through the entry holes. Although this method is quick, it may tear the paper during removal. The inventor of the original staple remover, William G. Pankonin, illustrates this method of removal in US Patent Number 2033050.

"Safe" method

The following method reduces the risk of damage to the paper sheets being separated, albeit at some cost to speed and associated time efficiency: # Turn the paper over to the side of the paper (usually the