Container with tab

Abstract

The invention relates, amongst others, to a container ( 1 ) for use in a beverage preparation machine. The container ( 1 ) comprises: a sealed body ( 2 ) for containing an ingredient for preparing a beverage, the sealed body ( 2 ) comprising a back part and a front part ( 3 ), which are sealed along one or more first side edges ( 4 ). The front part ( 3 ) comprises one or more tabs ( 11, 21 ) integrally formed with the front part ( 3 ), wherein each of the one or more tabs ( 11, 21 ) has one or more second side edges ( 12 - 14, 14 A, 22 - 14 ), wherein at least one of the one or more second side edges is at least in part complementary formed to the one or more first side edges ( 4 ).

1 . A container for use in a beverage preparation machine, comprising:
 a sealed body for containing an ingredient for preparing a beverage, the sealed body comprising a back part and a front part, which are sealed along one or more first side edges, and   the front part comprises one or more tabs integrally formed with the front part, wherein each of the one or more tabs has one or more second side edges, wherein at least one of the one or more second side edges is at least in part complementary formed to the one or more first side edges.   
     
     
         2 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more second side edges are formed by obtaining one or more further front parts of other containers, such as by obtaining one or more first side edges and/or one or more second side edges of the one or more further front parts. 
     
     
         3 . A container for use in a beverage preparation machine, comprising:
 a sealed body for containing an ingredient for preparing a beverage, the sealed body comprising a back part and a front part, which are sealed along one or more first side edges, and   the front part comprises one or more tabs integrally formed with the front part, wherein each of the one or more tabs has one or more second side edges, wherein the one or more second side edges are formed by obtaining one or more further front parts of other containers.   
     
     
         4 . The container according to  claim 2 , wherein the front part and the one or more further front parts are obtained from the same blank and/or are identically formed. 
     
     
         5 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more tabs include a handling tab for handling the container. 
     
     
         6 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more tabs include an identification tab comprising information, e.g. in the form of a code, for processing the container in a beverage preparation machine. 
     
     
         7 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more tabs are shaped to bring the container in a defined position and/or orientation in a beverage preparation machine. 
     
     
         8 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the tabs extend in different directions, and/or wherein the tabs are arranged to be diametrically opposed, and/or wherein the tabs extend in a same plane. 
     
     
         9 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more second side edges is a side edge being laterally provided with respect to the respective tab. 
     
     
         10 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more second side edges is a side edge being provided at a distal end of the respective tab. 
     
     
         11 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more second side edges of one of the tabs include a second side edge being complementary formed to a second side edge of a further one of the tabs, and/or wherein the one or more second side edges of the one or more tabs include a second side edge being formed by obtaining one or more tabs of further front parts of other containers. 
     
     
         12 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the one or more second side edges has a concave shape, wherein the one or more first side edges have thus a convex shape. 
     
     
         13 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more tabs has only three second side edges, wherein, preferably, each of the second side edges of a respective tab is at least in part complementary formed to the one or more first side edges. 
     
     
         14 . A process for manufacturing one or more first front parts and a second front part from a blank, wherein each front part is suitable for a container, wherein the container is adapted to be used in a beverage preparation machine, wherein the container comprises a sealed body for containing an ingredient for preparing a beverage, the sealed body comprising a back part and the respective front part, wherein the process comprises the following steps:
 providing a blank for obtaining the front parts,   obtaining the one or more first front parts from the blank, and   obtaining the second front part from the blank such the second front part comprises one or more tabs with each tab comprising one or more side edges, which one or more side edges are formed by obtaining the one or more first front parts from the blank.   
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 14 , wherein the front parts are obtained by a separation process such as by punching.