Apparatus and Method for the Production of Stoppers

In an apparatus for producing cork stoppers (12) or the like, in which the stoppers have a substantially cylindrical central portion (14) having a longitudinal axis (X) and in which at least a disk element (16, 18) is joined to a corresponding end (14a, 14b) of the central portion (14), to join the disk element (16, 18) to the central portion (14), the central portion (14) itself is positioned with the longitudinal axis (X) oriented substantially horizontal. An apparatus for the production of the aforesaid cork stoppers (12) comprises a station (20) for distributing glue on at least an end (14a, 14b) of the central portion (14) of the stopper (12); a station (22) for applying at least a disk element (16, 18) to the end (14a, 14b) and means (24) for conveying the central portion (14) between the glue distribution station (20) and the station (22) for applying the disk element (16, 18). In the apparatus, the conveying means (24) maintain the longitudinal axis (X) of the central portion (14) oriented substantially horizontal.