Transverse sealing device, method for operating the transverse sealing device and vertical form fill sealing machine

A transverse sealing device (14a-14g) for sealing a package or a packaging material, comprising at least two sealing jaws (18a-18g, 20a-20g), at least one movement unit (36a-36g), which is configured for moving the at least two sealing jaws (18a-18g, 20a-20gl) horizontally relative to each other, and a guide unit (82a-82g) to guide the at least two sealing jaws (18a-18g, 20a-20g) during a movement, wherein the at least one movement unit (36a-36g) is arranged at least substantially completely sideways relative to the at least two sealing jaws (18a-18g, 20a-20g), at least viewed in a direction parallel to a horizontal movement axis (38a-38g) of the guide unit (82a-82g), wherein the at least two sealing jaws (18a-18g, 20a-20g) are linearly movably supported along a direction parallel to the horizontal movement axis (38a-38g) of the guide unit (82a-82g), wherein the at least two sealing jaws (18a-18g, 20a-20g) are pullable into a sealing position by the movement unit (36a-36g), wherein the movement unit (36a-36g) is connected to the at least two sealing jaws (18a-18g, 20a-20g) in such a way that the movement unit (36a-36g) is enabled to generate a direct pulling force for pulling the at least two sealing jaws (18a-18g, 20a-20g) relative to each other into the sealing position.