Historical information

This device would separate the cream from milk using a hand operated lever. When turned, the lever would activate a disc which would spin the separator bowl at a great speed. Through this use of centrifugal force, the cream would gather in the middle while the milk would be pulled towards the outside walls of the bowl. Once the rotation ceased, the milk and cream would flow out of two separate spouts.

Prior to the invention of the separator, gravity was used to naturally separate the cream from the milk. The cream rose to the top and was then skimmed by hand. This process was lengthy and often resulted in sour milk, so the invention of the mechanical separator was popular in the dairy industry as there was less waste and encouraged greater production levels.


Alfa Laval is a Swedish company founded in 1883. Beginning with domestic farm machinery and dairy products, they expanded to heavy industry and are still successful today.

Physical description

Metal cream separator mounted on red base with bowl, double spouts.

Inscriptions & markings

Alfa Laval