Method and machine for preparing stoppers, caps, or other types of objects

A sealing element preparation machine having an endless conveyor comprising battens in which slots are intended to contain objects that are stoppers, caps, or similar objects, comprising, in order to prepare said objects:

• a loading station for loading said slots with objects, said loading station comprising a hopper which is supported by a chassis and which contains said objects to be prepared,
• a selecting station for selecting and sorting said objects, said selecting station being installed above said hopper in order to eliminate objects being at least one of incorrectly positioned and incorrectly oriented objects in said slots,
• a preparation station for successively preparing said objects in each slot into a compact series or objects in said slot,
• an unloading station for successively unloading said slots, said unloading station comprising a receiving and transit area where said series of objects is directed towards a feed chute of a conveying device,
• and a conveyance system consisting of:
• said endless conveyor with battens, which comprises an endless chain extending between two shafts, said battens being attached to said chain, and said chain being able to curve in a plane passing through an axis of chain links,
• driving means for driving said chain so that an active side of said conveyor successively travels into said hopper, then to the selecting station, and lastly to the unloading station,
• an arching path supported by said chassis and which can be broken down into several portions on a side of an active object collection part, including:
• —a first straight rising portion which extends from said loading station to a level located above said selecting station, and —a curving planar portion in which said battens swing and fan out in order to bring together and add load to each series of objects to prepare said objects for gravitational ejection at said unloading station, said path consisting of side rails that are extended, at said shafts located at ends of said endless chain, by flanges respectively ensuring continuity of said side rails, said side rails and flanges cooperating with each batten in order to guide and orient said batten along an entire length of said path.