|
|
 |
We have compiled a list of the questions we are
usually asked about our service. If you still need to know more
then get in touch.
|
| Q - Why
is the Hill Brush logo a "Salmon"? |
In the early days of the company, the two founders, Fred and Bill
Coward, were trying to decide upon a suitable logo. The name of The
"Hill" Brush Company was because the company was started
in a small building beneath Castle Hill in Mere, Wiltshire but it
was thought that a diagram of a hill would not be very interesting!
Bill Coward was a keen salmon fisherman, and he thought if they used
a "Salmon" as the logo, he would be reminded of his favourite
pastime, when not selling brushes!
The company also used an "Elephant" as a logo, specifically
for hand made brushes, but this is no longer registered. As far
as we know neither of the founders rode elephants!
The "Salmon" logo is now registered
in many countries around the world.
return to top of page
|
| Q - How
long should a brush last? |
|
The life of a brush can vary considerably, depending
upon the care, usage, and the type of brush. Brushes used very frequently
in an industrial environment may only last a few months, but a household
brush could last for many years. Whether the brush is designed for
inside or outside use can also make a big difference, especially
if an inside broom is used outside. Outside brooms are generally
more robust. Unfortunately in recent years, many brushes have been
down graded in quality due to cost pressures, and sometimes lesser
quality fibres are used.
Hill Brush has undertaken various experiments with the life of brushes,
especially hygiene brushes, using a specially designed "brushing"
machine. This machine counts the strokes brushed on specific surfaces
that can be changed to simulate different sweeping conditions. We
tested a brush filled with polypropylene fibres, and another with
polyester fibres on a tar macadam surface. It was found that after
300,000 sweeps, the polyester filled brush was still only worn to
the same extent as a polypropylene brush, which had only completed
10,000 sweeps.
return to top
of page
|
| Q - Who
are Champion Brush? |
|
Champion Brush is the company in Baltimore,
USA, which The Hill Brush Company Ltd purchased in February 2001.
Champion Brush is now part of Hill Brush Inc.
return to top
of page
|
| Q - What
is a "Beastie" brush? |
The "Beastie" brush was an original Champion Brush product
name, and was the name given to the innovative range of multi-coloured
and multi-patterned dandy brushes developed by Champion. The concept
has since been expanded by The Hill Brush Company Ltd to include Beastie
body brushes, Beastie tartan brushes, and Beastie bucket brushes.
All of these products have co-ordinated counter top display packaging,
and every brush, in a particular display carton, is different.
The Beastie name is registered.
return to top
of page
|
| Q - What
does "trim length" mean? |
|
The "trim length" is the exposed length
of brush fibre. In other words the distance from the surface of
the sweeping part of the brush to the face of the brush back into
which the tufts are punched.
return to top
of page
|
| Q - What
makes a hygienic brush? |
A hygienic brush is one that is constructed in such a way, and of
such materials, that it will not, in itself, absorb bacteria, or contaminate
any food stuffs, or sensitive areas during its normal use. The materials
should be corrosion proof and non-toxic, and the brushes should be
able to withstand sterilisation and disinfection by other processes,
including chemical treatment.
The Hill Brush hygiene range is available
in five colours of filling material Blue, Green, Red, White and
Yellow. A core range of brushes are also available filled with
Black material. Coloured brush backs are also optional on some
products. The different colours are to assist managers with interdepartmental
or food type segregation, or the implementation of HACCP (Hazard
and Critical Control Point) systems.
The Hill Brush Company Ltd
has applied and passed all examinations necessary and is entitled
to use the PHB logo with - Registration # GB-700 -
for all brushware produced by the Company meeting the requirements
of the Professional Hygiene Brushware (PHB) Charter
HYGIENE BRUSH CHARTER
return to top
of page
|
| Q - When
should I use a Resin Set hygiene brush? |
|
Resin Set hygiene brushes were developed for
highly sensitive hygiene areas. Please see the "Staple and
Resin Set" section of "Brush Manufacturing Methods"
BRUSH MANUFACTURING
METHODS
return to top
of page
|
| Q - What
is a Platform broom? |
A "Platform" broom is a broom that is wide and narrow,
with an exposed length of brush fibre of approximately 100mm. Typically
a platform broom has a flat back, or block, and is used for sweeping
large open areas, such as pavements, factory floors, station platforms,
school halls etc.
They are produced in lengths from 356mm (14")
up to 914mm (36"), with varying textures of natural and synthetic
fibres.
return to top
of page
|
| Q - Why
use a stay? |
A "stay" is used on platform brooms to prevent the handle
being broken. If the end of the platform broom is knocked against
a fixed object, the leverage back to the handle can be considerable
and can cause the handle to break. The stay will prevent any damage
to the broom handle.
Hill Brush has different sizes of stays, and
we recommend that any platform broom of 600mm (24") or over
should have a stay fitted, with a larger stay being recommended
on the 914mm (36") brushes. Stays can be fitted to 450mm (18")
brushes, but this is not always necessary.
return to top
of page
|
| Q - What
is a Scavenger broom? |
|
A "Scavenger" broom is a stiff broom
with long fibres, which is used to remove heavy dirt. The term arose
because the brooms "sought out and removed" or "scavenged"
for dirt.
return to top
of page
|
| Q - Why
does a Scavenger broom have two handle holes? |
A "Scavenger" broom has two handle holes so that if the
brush wears on one side, the handle can be removed and refitted into
the other handle hole. This enables the unworn side of the brush to
be used.
There is another explanation, which says that
the handle is fitted in one hole, and a candle put in the other,
so that the user can sweep in the dark!
return to top
of page
|
| Q - What
is the best brush for sweeping concrete? |
|
The best brush for sweeping smooth dry concrete
is one filled with Gumati (Arenga fibre). The best brush for sweeping
rough concrete, which may be wet, is one filled with Bahia Piassava.
return to top
of page
|
| Q - Where
would I use a churn brush today? |
A "Churn" brush was so named, because it was designed
for cleaning milk churns in the days when they were used to transport
milk from farms to milk factories.
They are made with a wedge trim to allow the brush to reach into
the corners of the milk churns, and the fibre used in better quality
brushes is a unique natural fibre called Bahia. Bahia comes from
a palm in the State of Bahia in Brazil, and will not rot or distort.
Churn brushes are therefore especially good for use in wet conditions.
Nowadays they are used on most building sites for cleaning cement
mixers, barrows and tools, and are also widely used in domestic
garden situations.
How many times have you needed a suitable brush
for cleaning the mud off your Wellington boots?
return to top
of page
|
| Q - What
sort of wood do we use? |
|
All of the wood machined by
Hill Brush is British hardwood. Most of the moulded (shaped) wood
brush backs are made from Beech, and most of the half round (turned)
brush backs are made from Birch. Some Sycamore and Alder is also
turned, and some Ash is moulded.
The company also imports moulded Rubber Wood
blocks from the Far East, and Birch and Beech wood materials from
Eastern Europe. FSC certified brush backs are also available.
return to top
of page
|
|
Hill Brush Co are a brush manufacturer located in UK and Maryland USA. They manufacture and supply all types of high quality household and industrial brooms and brushes besides paint brushes, window cleaning equipment, floor mops, equestrian brushes and hygiene (food service) products. Check the online products pages for our complete range of brushes, brooms and cleaning equipment
|
|
