VERTICAL PACKAGING MACHINE

Abstract

 The invention relates to a vertical packaging machine comprising a forming tube (1); a sealing and cutting device downstream of the forming tube (1), which is configured to seal and cut transversely a film tube; and a protection assembly (3) which is arranged at least partially between the forming tube (1) and the sealing and cutting device and comprising a first protection element (3.1) which is flexible and which comprises a junction area joined to the forming tube (1). The protection assembly (3) comprises a second protection element (3.2) which is more rigid than the first protection element (3.1) and which is attached to said first protection element (3.1) partially covering said first protection element (3.1) downstream of the junction area of said first protection element (3.1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to vertical packaging machines.

PRIOR ART

[0002] A vertical packaging machine comprises a hollow forming tube with a longitudinal axis, an inlet and an outlet downstream of the inlet. The longitudinal axis may be vertical or may be inclined with respect to the vertical.

[0003] The forming tube is configured to receive a continuous film on the outside and to give a tubular shape to the film, and to receive the products to be packaged through the inlet. The products pass through the forming tube and exit the forming tube through the outlet.

[0004] The machine comprises a longitudinal sealing tool for longitudinally sealing the longitudinal edges of the tubular shaped film surrounding the forming tube, thereby generating a film tube, and a transverse sealing and cutting device downstream of the forming tube, for cutting the film tube transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the forming tube and for sealing said film tube on both sides of the cut, when said sealing and cutting device is arranged in a closed position. The operation of the sealing and cutting device results in a film tube closed at one end upstream of the cut and a package closed at both ends downstream of the cut. After sealing and cutting, the sealing and cutting device moves to an open position to allow the film tube to advance.

[0005] The product supplied to the forming tube is deposited on the closed end of the film tube after passing through the forming tube, but typically exits the forming tube with the sealing and cutting device in the closed position, reaching its destination by being deposited on the sealing and cutting device. When the sealing and cutting device moves to the open position, a longitudinal advance of the film tube and the product is generated, so that the product is downstream of the sealing and cutting device, and on the next actuation of the sealing and cutting device, the package generated downstream of the sealing and cutting device contains the product inside.

[0006] During the fall of the product along the forming tube, the product increases its velocity due to gravity. This may mean, especially the longer the length of the forming tube and/or the heavier the weight of the product, that the product will damage at least the film tube as it exits the forming tube by impacting against the film tube, thus affecting the integrity of the pack.

[0007] By modifying the inclination of the forming tube with respect to the vertical, the product drop speed can be reduced, but this is not always sufficient and, furthermore, this slowing down implies a reduction in the machine's productivity.

[0008] In other solutions, such as the one described in US4722373A for example, a machine with a solution to this problem is also disclosed, in which a plurality of platforms distributed inside the forming tube at different heights are incorporated, which move vertically together towards the outlet. Each product to be packaged that is fed into the forming tube is supported on a platform and moves down the forming tube along with the corresponding platform. Thus, the product is no longer accelerated during the fall through the forming tube due to the effect of gravity, and only undergoes this acceleration once it leaves the forming tube, thus eliminating or reducing the risk described above.

[0009] These solutions involve higher film consumption (as the forming tube requires a larger cross-section to accommodate the platforms and allow the product to pass through), lower productivity (as the product moves at a constant speed instead of being accelerated through the forming tube), longer cleaning times and more maintenance work (due to a larger number of actuating mechanisms), therefore, simpler and more economical solutions are also known in which a protective device is used at least partially between the forming tube and the sealing and cutting device, so that the protective device protects the film tube and the product does not hit the film tube with sufficient force to break or tear it.

[0010] CN217260887U discloses a solution of this type. The machine described in this document comprises a protective device which can be opened and closed in a controlled manner by an actuator. When closed, the protective device creates a wedge-shaped space above the sealing and cutting device, which receives the product to be packaged, thus preventing the product from damaging the film tube. Subsequently, the protection device is caused actively to be opened to allow the product to fall until it contacts the film of the film tube and is packaged, thus reducing the speed at which the product hits the film tube.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The object of the invention is to provide a vertical packaging machine, as defined in the claims.

[0012] The vertical packaging machine comprises a forming tube configured to receive a continuous film and to give a tubular shape to the film, the products to be packaged being supplied through the forming tube.

[0013] The machine comprises a sealing and cutting device downstream of the forming tube, which is configured to seal and cut such a continuous tubular shaped sheet and which is movable between an open position and a closed position; and a protection assembly which is arranged at least partially between the forming tube and the sealing and cutting device, which is movable between an operating position in which it interferes with the product path from the forming tube to the sealing and cutting device and a non-operating position in which it does not interfere with said path, and which comprises a first flexible protection element comprising a junction area joined to the forming tube. The junction area is facing the forming tube.

[0014] The first protection element is flexible. When the sealing and cutting device acts on the continuous tubular-shaped film (when moving from the open position to the closed position), the sealing and cutting device displaces the tubular-shaped film (a film tube) with this actuation. This displacement of the film tube causes a reduction of the cross-section of the film tube and further causes the film tube to press against the protective assembly. Due to the flexible properties of the first protection element, said pressure causes the first protection element to flex towards the product path (the protection assembly thus moves from the non-operational to the operational position). When the sealing and cutting tool is returned to its open position, the film tube no longer presses on the protection assembly and the flexible or elastic properties of the first protection element cause the protection assembly to return to its non-operational position.

[0015] The protection assembly further comprises a second protection element which is more rigid than the first protection element, which partially covers the first protection element at least between the junction area of the first protection element and the sealing and cutting device and which is attached to the first protection element. Being downstream of the junction area, the second protection element is then disposed downstream the forming tube and does not affect the flexure of the first protection element and, moreover, being attached to the first protection element, the second protection element moves together with the first protection element when the first protection element is flexed. The second protection element covers the first protection element in such a way that, with the protection assembly in the operating position, a product delivered through the forming tube impacts against said second protection element on its way to the sealing and cutting device.

[0016] During the operation of the machine, the first protection element flexes each time a package is produced. Due to the high number of flexes that the first protection element has to withstand, over time the material of which it is made may tend to degrade and parts of it may become detached, with the risk that these parts may be present in the final package. On the other hand, the second protection element withstands the product's packaging each time a package is generated but does not need to have flexible properties as it is the first protection element that flexes, and can be made of a material that does not suffer said type of degradation and better withstands the product's impact, such as a rigid material such as metal or hard plastic. In this way optimum properties can be provided for each protection element, increasing the service life of both protection elements.

[0017] In this way, the protective assembly protects the film and, therefore, the final package, since it receives the impact of the product during its fall and the product contacts the film without force. Furthermore, in the proposed machine this is achieved without the need to use actuators to actively trigger the movement of the protection assembly, which moves between its operational and non-operational position passively. The absence of actuators to cause this movement simplifies the protection assembly, which reduces its size, facilitates maintenance and cleaning of both the protection assembly and the machine, and reduces its cost and therefore that of the machine.

[0018] Moreover, as the second protection element is the one that receives the impact of the product and the second protection element can be rigid, the risk of part of the material of the second protection element becoming detached and remaining in the final packaging can be avoided, thus ensuring greater protection of the final packaging. Thus, the protection assembly of the proposed machine makes it possible to protect the final package obtained to a greater extent, thus ensuring to a greater extent the correct quality of the final package obtained.

[0019] These and other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent in view of the figures and the detailed description of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] 

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a vertical packaging machine of the invention, comprising two protection assemblies.

Figure 2 shows the protection assemblies of the machine of figure 1, in an operational position.

Figure 3 shows the protection assemblies of the machine of figure 1, in a non-operational position.

Figure 4 shows a protection assembly of the machine of figure 1 comprising a plurality of coupling devices, in exploded form.

Figure 5 shows the protection assemblies of the machine shown in figure 1 before being attached to a forming tube of said machine.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention relates to vertical packaging machines 100, such as the one shown in figure 1 by way of example.

[0022] The machine 100 comprises a hollow forming tube 1 configured to receive a continuous sheet 300 on the outside and to give a tubular shape to the said sheet 300, so as to obtain a sheet tube 301 enclosing the forming tube 1. The forming tube 1 comprises a longitudinal axis 1.0 (vertical as in the case of the machine 100 of figure 1, or inclined with respect to the vertical), an inlet opening through which it receives the products P to be packaged, and an outlet opening 1.2 downstream of the inlet opening.

[0023] The machine 100 further comprises a transverse sealing and cutting device 2 downstream of the forming tube 1, which is configured to transversely seal and cut the film tube 301 in a closed position (see figure 2) but allowing the passage of the film tube 301 in an open position (see figure 1); and a protection assembly 3 which is arranged at least partially between the forming tube 1 and the sealing and cutting device 2, and which comprises a first protection element 3.1 with a junction area 3.11 joined to the forming tube 1.

[0024] The sealing and cutting device 2 is configured to act on the film tube 301 when said sealing and cutting device 2 is moved from the open position to the closed position and to displace said film tube 301 as a result of said actuation, as previously described. When moving to the closed position, the sealing and cutting device 2 clamps the area of the film tube 301 which is at its height and causes a displacement therefore of said area (to clamp it) and also of at least part of the film tube 301 lying above said area, between the sealing and cutting device 2 and the forming tube 1. The first protection element 3.1 comprises a material preferably adapted so that when the film tube 301 is displaced, the pressure exerted by said film tube 301 on said first protection element 3.1 causes said first protection element 3.1 to flex, although the machine 100 could additionally comprise a pushing device 4 to assist said flexure, as described below, thus ensuring the desired flexure under all circumstances. As the first protection element 3.1 flexes, the protection assembly 3 moves from a non-operational position (see Figures 1 and 3) in which it does not interfere with the product path P to an operational position (see Figure 2) in which it does interfere with said path. Preferably, in addition, the protection assembly 3 prevents the passage of the product P towards the sealing and cutting device 2 when it is in the operational position.

[0025] The sealing and cutting device 2 may be a conventional sealing and cutting device 2 comprising two sealing and cutting elements 2.1 and 2.2 facing each other between which the film tube 301 is clamped. In the open position of the sealing and cutting device 2 the sealing and cutting elements 2.1 and 2.2 are spaced apart from each other in such a way that the film tube 301 can move between them. When the sealing and cutting device 2 is moved to the closed position, the sealing and cutting elements 2.1 and 2.2 are moved closer together until the film tube 301 is clamped between them, and, preferably, the two sealing and cutting elements 2.1 and 2.2 are moved simultaneously for this approach. Both sealing and cutting elements 2.1 and 2.2 can be actuated by one and the same actuator.

[0026] When the machine 100 comprises a pushing device 4, said pushing device 4 is arranged between the sealing and cutting device 2 and the forming tube 1 and is preferably attached to said sealing and cutting device 2 in such a way that it moves together with said sealing and cutting device 2. When said sealing and cutting device 2 is caused to move into the closed position, the pushing device 4 also moves and acts on at least part of the film tube 301 which is between the forming tube 1 and the sealing and cutting device 2, in turn pushing the protection assembly 3. The pushing device 4 comprises a first pushing element 4.1 attached to the first sealing and cutting element 2.1 such that both elements 4.1 and 2.1 move together, and a second pushing element 4.2 attached to the second sealing and cutting element 2.2 such that both elements 4.2 and 2.2 move together. The separation distance between the pushing elements 4.1 and 4.2 is greater than the distance between the sealing and cutting elements 2.1 and 2.2, since between the pushing elements 4.1 and 4.2 is arranged at least one protection assembly 3 which is pushed by at least one of said pushing elements 4.1 and 4.2. Preferably, the machine 100 comprises two protection assemblies 3 facing each other and arranged between the pushing elements 4.1 and 4.2, a first protection assembly 3 being arranged between the first pushing element 4.1 and a second protection assembly 3 to be pushed by said first pushing element 4.1, and said second protection assembly 3 being arranged between the second pushing element 4.2 and the first protection assembly 3 to be pushed by said second pushing element 4.2.

[0027] The first protection element 3.1 of a protection assembly 3 may be made of a polymeric material comprising particles or pieces of metal. In this way, in the event that the first protection element 3.1 suffers degradation and part of its material becomes detached, it is possible to detect whether the detached material has fallen into the package together with the product P with, for example, X-rays. The second protection element 3.2 may be made of a metallic material or a material comprising particles or pieces of metal, so that if for any reason part of this material becomes detached it can also be detected.

[0028] The machine 100 comprises at least one coupling device 3.3 for coupling together in a decoupling manner two corresponding elements 3.1, 3.2; 3.1, 1 of the machine 100, which may be part of the protective assembly 3, and which are shown in Figure 4. Said two elements can be the second protection element 3.2 and the first protection element 3.1 of the protection assembly, or said first protection element 3.1 and the forming tube 1. Thus, the machine 100 may comprise at least one coupling device 3.3 for joining together the first protection element 3.1 of said protection assembly 3 and/or at least one coupling device 3.3 for joining together the first protection element 3.1 of said protection assembly 3 and the forming tube 1.

[0029] The coupling device 3.3 is configured to change position by a rotation and to, depending on its position, maintain the coupling or allow uncoupling between the two elements 3.1, 3.2; 3.1, 1 which it couples together. The coupling device 3.3 comprises at least one face with a configuration adapted to allow the use of a tool such as a screwdriver for example (see figure 3), so that the user can generate such a rotation in a simple manner.

[0030] The coupling device 3.3 preferably comprises a longitudinal rod 3.30, a first platen 3.31 attached to a first end of said rod 3.30 and a second platen 3.32 attached to a second end of said rod 3.30 opposite to the first end. The rod 3.30, the first platen 3.31 and the second platen 3.32 of the coupling device 3.3 preferably form a single piece. The face of the coupling device 3.3 configured to be operable with a tool may be a face of either of the two platens 3.31 and 3.32, or indeed both platens 3.31 and 3.32 may be so configured to make the user's operation more flexible.

[0031] Each of the two elements 3.1, 3.2; 3.1, 1 coupled by at least one coupling device 3.3 comprises a respective through hole 3.10, 3.20; 3.5, 1.3 configured so that the first platen 3.31 of the coupling device 3.3 is prevented from passing through said through holes 3.10, 3.20; 3.5, 1.3 in at least a certain position of the coupling device 3.3; so that the rod 3.30 of said coupling device 3.3 can pass through said through holes 3.10, 3.20; 3.5, 1.3 in any position of the coupling device 3.3; and so that the second platen 3.32 of said coupling device 3.3 is prevented from passing through said through holes 3.10, 3.20; 3.5, 1.3 in at least one certain position of the coupling device 3.3. Preferably the shape of the through holes 3.10, 3.20; 3.5, 1.3 is elongated.

[0032] When a coupling device 3.3 couples together the first protection element 3.1 of the protection assembly 3 and the forming tube 1, said first protection element 3.1 comprises a through hole 3.5 in the junction area 3.11 and the forming tube 1 comprises a through hole 1.3 (see figure 5), said through holes 3.5 and 1.3 being configured as previously described. Preferably, the through hole 3.5 is configured to be pierced by a platen 3.31 or 3.32 of said coupling device 3.3 when said coupling device 3.3 is in a first determined position and wherein the through hole 1.3 is configured to be pierced by said platen 3.31 or 3.32 when said coupling device 3.3 is in a second determined position different from the first determined position, in such a way as to make it very difficult for the first protection element 3.1 of the protection assembly 3 and the forming tube 1 to be accidentally disengaged. For example, the through hole 3.5 may extend vertically and the through hole 1.3 may extend horizontally, or vice versa.

[0033] The coupling area 3.11 of the first protection element 3.1 can be arranged inside the forming tube 1 so that the coupling device 3.3 is accessible from the outside of the forming tube 1, thus facilitating coupling or uncoupling and preventing the first protection element 3.1 from rubbing against the film tube 301. Preferably, the forming tube 1 comprises an element 1.9 in the form of a plate, adhered to its surface, said element 1.9 comprising a through hole at least partially coinciding with the through hole 1.3 and which is passed through by the coupling device 3.3. This element 1.9 provides a flat joining surface, contrary to the forming tube 1 where sometimes the surface may be curved, thus giving robustness to the joint between said forming tube 1 and the first protection element 3.1.

[0034] When a coupling device 3.3 couples together the first protection element 3.1 and the second protection element 3.2 of the protection assembly 3, said first protection element 3.1 comprises a through hole 3.10 (preferably equivalent to through hole 3.5) and said second protection element 3.2 comprises a through hole 3.20, said through holes 3.10 and 3.20 being configured as previously described. Preferably, the through hole 3.10 is configured to be pierced by a platen 3.31 or 3.32 of said coupling device 3.3 when said coupling device 3.3 is in a first determined position and wherein the through hole 3.20 is configured to be pierced by said platen 3.31 or 3.32 when said coupling device 3.3 is in a first determined position, and wherein said through hole 3.20 is configured to be pierced by said platen 3.31 or 3.32 when said coupling device 3.3 is in a first determined position.31 or 3.32 when said coupling device 3.3 is in a second determined position different from the first determined position, in such a way as to make it very difficult for both protection elements 3.1 and 3.2 to be accidentally uncoupled. For example, the through hole 3.10 may extend vertically and the through hole 3.20 may extend horizontally, or vice versa. Preferably, the second protection element 3.2 comprises a plurality of through holes 3.20 and the protection assembly 3 comprises a coupling device 3.3 for each through hole 3.2. In this way a better coupling between the protection elements 3.1 and 3.2 is provided. The plurality of through holes 3.20 are preferably arranged closer to an edge of said second protection element 3.2 than to the centre of said second protection element 3.2, preventing or hindering the deposition of product residues P between both protection elements 3.1 and 3.2, and are evenly distributed to provide a better coupling.

[0035] In general terms, for example, the coupling device 3.3 may be configured to be arranged in a certain first position to allow a relative displacement between the first protection element 3.1 and the second protection element 3.2, in order to be able to decouple said protection elements 3.1 and 3.2 from each other and/or, if applicable, from the first protection element 3.1 and the forming tube 1. In turn, said coupling device 3.3 may be configured to be arranged in a second determined position shown in Figure 3, in order to prevent said displacement and to prevent said uncoupling between the two protection elements 3.1 and 3.2, and/or where applicable, between the first protection element 3.1 and the forming tube 1. In this way, although both protection elements 3.1 and 3.2 may be decoupled (and/or where applicable, the first protection element 3.1 and the forming tube 1), during normal operation of the machine 100 the said protection elements 3.1 and 3.2 (and/or if applicable, the first protection element 3.1 and the forming tube 1) remain securely coupled, the protection assembly 3 offering the protection previously mentioned.

[0036] The joining between the first protection element 3.1 of said protection assembly 3 and the forming tube 1 made with the coupling device 3.3 is thus stable, but can be undone and redone when required, by changing the position of the coupling device 3.3, to replace the protection assembly 3 or for maintenance work, for example. The fact that the second protection element 3.2 is uncoupled from the first protection element 3.1 means that either of the two protection elements 3.1 and 3.2 can be replaced when required, without having to replace the whole protection assembly 3, since the service life of the first protection element 3.1 will be mainly conditioned by the fatigue generated by its flexing, whereas the service life of the second protection element 3.2 will be mainly conditioned by the impacts produced by the products P to be packaged, therefore it is not generally necessary to replace both protection elements 3.1, 3.2 at the same time, which reduces the cost of maintenance of the machine 100. Moreover, this also facilitates the cleaning of the protection assembly 3, since by uncoupling both protection elements 3.1 and 3.2, the whole of protection elements 3.1 and 3.2 can be accessed for cleaning.

[0037] Preferably, the machine 100 comprises a plurality of coupling devices 3.3 for coupling with each other the first protection element 3.1 and the second protection element 3.2 of the protection assembly 3, and a plurality of coupling devices 3.3 for coupling with each other the first protection element 3.1 of the protection assembly 3 and the forming tube 1, as shown in the embodiment of the figures.

[0038] In some embodiments, the protection assembly 3 may comprise a first protection element 3.1 and a plurality of second protection elements 3.2 as described. The first protection element 3.1 may comprise a tubular shape (the part below the forming tube 1), such that when flexed, the protection assembly 3 stops the product P from falling and the product P cannot continue to fall until the sealing and cutting device 2 is opened. When the sealing and cutting tool 2 is opened, the protective assembly 3.1 is no longer depressed and returns to its initial position. This can be achieved with other shapes of the first protection element 3.1, such as a semitubular first protection element 3.1. In any of these options, the product P exiting the forming tube 1 impacts against the second protection elements 3.2.

Claims

1. Vertical packaging machine for packaging products, said machine (100) comprising a forming tube (1) through which the product (P) to be packaged is supplied; a transverse sealing and cutting device (2) arranged downstream of the forming tube (1) and movable between an open position and a closed position; and a protection assembly (3) which is arranged at least partially between the forming tube (1) and the sealing and cutting device (2), which is movable between an operating position in which it interferes with the path of the product (P) from the forming tube (1) to the sealing and cutting device (2) and a non-operating position in which it does not interfere with said path, and which comprises a first protection element (3.1) which is flexible and which comprises a junction area (3.11)joined to the forming tube (1), characterised in that the protection assembly (3) further comprises a second protection element (3.2) more rigid than the first protection element (3.1), which partially covers the first protection element (3.1) at least between the junction area (3.11) of said first protection element (3.1) and the sealing and cutting device (2), and which is attached to said first protection element (3.1) in such a way that a product (P) delivered through the forming tube (1) impacts against said second protection element (3.2) on its way to the sealing and cutting device (2) when the protection assembly (3) is in the operating position.

2. Vertical packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the sealing and cutting device (2) is configured so that, when a film tube (301) surrounds the forming tube (1), said sealing and cutting device (2) acts on said film tube (301) when moving from the open position to the closed position and causes the displacement of said film tube (300) with said actuation, said first protection element (3.1) being made of a material adapted so that said displacement of the film tube (301) causes said first protection element (3.1) to flex.

3. Vertical packaging machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first protection element (3.1) is formed by a polymeric material comprising metal particles or pieces, and wherein the second protection element (3.2) is formed by a metallic material or a material comprising metal particles or pieces.

4. Vertical packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising at least one coupling device (3.3) to couple two elements (3.1, 3.2; 3.1, 1) of the machine (100) to each other in an uncoupling manner, wherein said two elements (3.1, 3.2; 3.1, 1) being the second protection element (3.2) and the first protection element (3.1) of the protection assembly (3) or the first protection element (3.1) of the protection assembly (3) and the forming tube (1).

5. Vertical packaging machine according to claim 4, wherein the coupling device (3.3) is configured to change position with a rotation and, depending on its position, to maintain the coupling or to allow the decoupling of the two elements (3.1, 3.2; 3.1, 1) that it couples together.

6. Vertical packaging machine according to claim 5, wherein the coupling device (3.3) comprises a longitudinal rod (3.30), a first platen (3.31) attached to a first end of said rod (3.30) and a second platen (3.32) attached to a second end of said rod (3.30) opposite the first end, each of the two elements (3.1, 3.2; 3.1, 1) coupled by the coupling device (3.3) comprising a through hole (3.10, 3.20; 3.5, 1.3) respectively configured so that the first platen (3.31) of the coupling device (3.3) is prevented from passing through said through holes (3.10, 3.20; 3.5, 1.3) in at least a certain position of the coupling device (3.3); so that the rod (3.30) of said coupling device (3.3) can pass through said through holes (3.10, 3.20; 3.5, 1.3) in any position of the coupling device (3.3); and so that the second platen (3.32) of said coupling device (3.3) is prevented from passing through said through holes (3.10, 3.20; 3.5, 1.3) in at least one certain position of the coupling device (3.3).

7. Vertical packaging machine according to claim 6, wherein the through hole (3.10, 3.20; 3.5, 1.3) of one of the two elements (3.1, 3.2; 3.1, 1) coupled by the coupling device (3.3) is configured to be pierced by the second platen (3.32) of said coupling device (3.3) when said coupling device (3.3) is in a first determined position and wherein the through hole (3.10, 3.20; 3.5, 1.3) of the other element (3.1, 3.2; 3.1, 1) coupled by said coupling device (3.3) is configured to be pierced by the second platen (3.32) of said coupling device (3.3) when said coupling device (3.3) is in a second determined position different from the first determined position.

8. Vertical packaging machine according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the rod (3.30), the first platen (3.31) and the second platen (3.32) of the coupling device (3.3) form a single piece.

9. Vertical packaging machine according to any one of claims 6 to 8, comprising a plurality of coupling devices (3.3) for coupling two elements (3.1, 3.2; 3.1, 1) of the machine (100) together.

10. Vertical packaging machine according to claim 9, wherein each of the elements (3.1, 3.2; 3.1, 1) that are coupled to each other by a plurality of coupling devices (3.3) of the machine (100) comprises a through hole (3.10, 3.20; 3.5, 1.3) for each of said coupling devices (3.3), at least a first through hole (3.10, 3.20; 3.5, 1.3) and a second through hole (3.10, 3.20; 3.5, 1.3) of the same element (3.1, 3.2; 3.1, 1) being configured to prevent the passage of the first platen (3.31) or the second platen (3.32) at different positions of the coupling device (3.3).

11. Vertical packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the protection assembly (3) is configured to prevent the passage of the product (P) towards the sealing and cutting tool (2), when being in the operating position.

12. Vertical packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a plurality of protection assemblies (3) configured to move simultaneously between the respective non-operational position and the respective operational position, such that said protection assemblies (3) are simultaneously arranged in the respective operational positions.

13. Vertical packaging machine according to claim 12, wherein the protection assemblies (3) are configured to prevent the passage of the product (P) towards the sealing and cutting tool (2), when said protection assemblies (3) are simultaneously arranged in the corresponding operating positions.

14. Vertical packaging machine according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the sealing and cutting tool (2) comprises a first actuating element (2.1) and a second actuating element (2.2) facing each other and movable when the sealing and cutting tool (2) changes position, and the machine (100) comprises a first protection assembly (3) and a second protection assembly (3) facing each other, the first protection assembly (3) being arranged at least partially between the forming tube (1) and the first actuation element (2.1) of the sealing and cutting device (2) and the second protective assembly (3) being arranged at least partially between the forming tube (1) and the second actuating element (2.2) of said sealing and cutting device (2).

15. Vertical packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising a pushing device (4) arranged between the sealing and cutting device (2) and the forming tube (1) and attached to said sealing and cutting device (2), such that the pushing device (4) moves in conjunction with said sealing and cutting device (2) and pushes the protection assembly (3) during its displacement when the sealing and cutting device (2) moves towards the closed position.

Drawing