Inventions and Developments

Thermometer with wire grating                              

1910

in stainless steel. Approved by several institutes for cheese making and recommended in Switzerland and abroad.

Air conditioning System for production of rennet

Production on recommendation of Dr. Peter. Since 1925 a modified version, the so-called rennet box for Alps, water-bath without electricity.

Export to the USA

1920

of cap cloths, thermometers, milk ladles. Since the beginning delivery to cheese-makers in Russia and Finland.

Lift-out aid for cheese

1923

of wood. From 1938 improved aluminium version.

Steam washing machine

1935

To make use of the remaining steam from cheese production. With a special outgoing drill to rotate the laundry.

WIKO agitator to attach to the cheese kettle

1938

with oil-transmission for belt drive.

Cheese screw press

1939

in galvanised metal to press Alp cheese like Vacherin, Gruyere and Sbrinz (Parmesan)

Milling machine for outlets

1940

Our development to renew leaky outlets. Was often used by plumbing companies.

Branding iron for cheese

directly heated with spirit injection. To save transport and time the cheeses were marked in the cellar. Replaced later on by casein-labels.

Pine cheese mould follower

1943

with oak slats and a metallic frame to increase the stability.

Maple-wood paddle agitator

1946

with rounded wings to reduce the dust in cutting the cheese grain.

Galvanised iron cutting device

1948

The vertical bars were soldered in to avoid accumulation of bacteria.

Can pasteurizer

WIKO produced pasteurizer for cans in small dairies, operated by steam or electricity.

Whey probe

1950

Idea of Prof. Zollikofer – produced and sold by WIKO

Current interrupter

with fully-floating suspension for all cheese kettles. Adjustable attachment to control the direction of flow.

Incubator for yoghurt

in 4 sizes. Small dairies could now produce yoghurt to a consistently high standard.

Bottle washing machine

to clean 2 milk bottles or glasses of yoghurt at once over the sink.

Hot air cabin

1951

with exact temperature regulator. Isolation made of glass fibre, external cabin made of wood, inside finished with aluminium.

Paper lids for school milk bottles

1953

also for glasses of yoghurt. For years WIKO produced on 2 machines the demand of small and big dairies.

Cheese grooving machine

1955

to sign cheeses for bargain sale. WIKO developed the machine in order of the Swiss Cheese Union.

Stainless milk strainer

1958

WIKO was the first company able to provide strainers in stainless steel for weighting machines.

Stainless butter moulds

1959

Only available mould with out-turning rim, slightly conical, sand blasted. Easy to take out the butter.

Plywood cheese mould follower

1960

Treated with Bakelite for smooth surface for cheese. Finished with hardwood slats.

Plastic scoops

To replace scoops made of wood or sheet metal.

Funnel for filling yoghurt

1962

for small quantities. Initially made of sheet metal, since 1987 of plastic.

Milk bag

1963

WIKO launched the new bag in more than 100 dairies. Included was the bag packing machine, boxes for transportation, dispensers and promotion material. The final success was in the late 90ies.

Suparen

1967

Introduction of the first microbial rennet (rennet substitute) from the USA in Switzerland, Austria and South Germany.

Etscheid milk cooling

1968

General Swiss representative for milk cooling tanks and immersion cooling until 1978.

Cheese moulds made of beech

for rectangular Gruyere. Were made under charge of the Swiss Cheese Union.

Whey-skimming plates

made of plastic to guarantee a better drain of the cheese curd.

Export expanded world-wide

1970

Beginning of collaboration with Swiss and German developing Organization.

Label of rennet WINKLER

liquid and powder. Since 1980 branch leader and launching of rennet paste Cabrette, to produce goat cheese.

Rapidase

1974

Introduction of a further microbial rennet. Replaced in 1982 by Fromase/Renilase.

Flexitub

1976

The first bendable drinking straw in Switzerland. Sold over wholesaler.

Slicer for hard mountain cheese

1978

Improved joint of the base and the screws to hold the blade.

Cheese preservative Plasticoat

Imported from Holland to preserve the cheese rind (exclusively until 1996).

Cheese cutting machines

1979

Development of low price machines.

Bacterial starter culture for direct inoculation

1980

by CSL/Milan. Since 1988 Swiss general representative of TEXEL/France (Ezal, Marschall cultures)

WIKO filling and cheese pressing system

Cheese factories with more than 4000 kg milk daily were more and more modernized. WIKO developed a sophisticated system for economical production in smaller factories.

Sealing machine for yoghurt cups

1982

In competition with the large scale manufacturers WIKO introduced a machine ideal for the treatment of small quantities.

Digital thermometer with alarm

1987

Specification of the demands to develop an electronic thermometer.

Quick antibiotic test

1988

Swiss representative of UCB Bioproducts/ Belgium for the product Penzym/Betastar.

Cheese corset for hard cheese

with special plastic textile. Adjustable in length and easy to clean.

Thermometer with spirit

1990

to replace the mercury thermometers.

Fumispore

Introduction of a system to fumigate room ambience.

Plastic cheese mould follower

1997

System Priga. To store cheese on plastic instead of wood.

Widening of the product range

1999

Take-over of the products from the Swiss Cheese Union.