Device and method for filling and/or portioning food mass on a carrier

An apparatus (1) for portioning food mass on a carrier (2), comprising:

• a machine frame (4),
• a carrier (2) movably arranged on the frame (4), for receiving dispensed food mass,
• a drive means (22) for moving the carrier (2),
• a dispensing device (18) for dispensing food mass and which is arranged on or relative to the machine frame (4) in such a way that dispensed food mass lands on the movable carrier (2), and
• a controller (20) configured to control the drive means (22) for moving the carrier (2) and configured to control the dispensing device (18) for dispensing food mass,
• wherein:
• a mechanical separator (12) is provided for mechanically separating the carrier (2) and the drive means (22),
• the carrier (2) is arranged above the separator (12),
• the drive means (22) is arranged at least partly below the separator (12),
• the carrier (2) and the drive means (22) are coupled with the aid of at least one of magnetic and electromagnetic means in such a way that the carrier (2) can be moved by the drive means (22) using magnetic or electromagnetic force,
• wherein the drive means (22) has at least one of a mechanical and electrical guide unit (38) for moving the magnet (26) in the X/Y direction substantially in a plane below the separator (12), and wherein the drive means (22) has at least two independently drivable motors (40, 42) for operating the guide unit (38), and
• wherein the controller (20) is configured to control the drive means (22) and the dispensing device (18) in such a way that food mass can be produced in portions of different arrangements or patterns on the carrier (2).