Abstract: A modular conveyor system for the conveyance and distribution of individual items or continuous materials by means of conveyors and in particular conveyor belts. The conveyor system includes two or more conveyor modules mounted one after the other or aligned on a base frame, with each conveyor module having a rack on which a floor belt and two lateral guide belts are mounted. The rack of each conveyor module is mounted so that it can be moved relative to the base and to the other conveyor modules to discharge material from the respective conveyor module. An intermediate member is provided between each two adjacent conveyor modules and abuts each of the adjacent conveyor modules to provide a continuous conveyor path between adjacent conveyor modules.

Abstract: A method for controlling the flow of fruit and fruit juice through a juice extraction facility are disclosed. The juice extraction facility includes a bulk storage location for the fruit, a sizer for separating the fruit into size categories, a feeder for feeding the fruit from the storage location to the sizer, a plurality of juice extractors arranged into groups corresponding to the fruit size categories, means for recycling excess fruit from each group of extractors to the fruit storage location, and a juice storage tank. The measured variables include the level in the juice storage tank and the amount of fruit being recycled from each group of extractors to the fruit storage location. The control objectives include equalizing the fruit flow to each group of extractors, minimizing the amount of recycled fruit from each group of extractors, and maintaining the proper level in juice storage tank.