Opening arrangement for opening a side fold hose in a flat folded state, in particular from a hose store, for the purpose of later transfer to a device, in particular to a coating device, wherein the opening arrangement comprises at least two suction cheeks arranged on each of the two sides of the folded side fold hose, wherein in each case the one suction cheek arranged on the one side of the side fold hose forms a pair with the other corresponding suction cheek arranged on the opposite side of the folded side fold hose, wherein each suction cheek comprises a contact region, interacting with the side fold hose, with a suction region which is provided in particular with an air flow-permeable protection device, and wherein, for the purpose of expanding the side fold hose, the two opposed suction cheeks of a pair can be moved apart from one another in a direction orthogonal to the general extension of the folded side fold hose, characterised in that, in order to smooth the outer surfaces (2, 3) of the still folded side fold hose, at least in the area contacted by the suction cheeks, at least one suction cheek of at least one pair, and preferably both suction cheeks of a pair, is/are arranged along the outer surface (2, 3) of the folded side fold hose such as to be movable outwards (arrow 8) away from the other pair of suction cheeks, wherein the opening arrangement is configured in such a way that in the operation of the opening arrangement the following method is applied: Method for opening a side fold hose delivered in a flat folded state, in particular from a hose store, for the purpose of later transfer to a device, in particular to a coating device, wherein arranged on each of the two sides of the folded side fold hose are at least two suction cheeks, wherein in each case the one suction cheek arranged on the one side of the side fold hose forms a pair with the other corresponding suction cheek arranged on the opposite side of the folded side fold hose, wherein in each case the region of the side fold hose adjacent to a suction cheek is suctioned by this suction cheek and, in particular following this, the side fold hose is at least partially expanded by the enlargement of the distance interval between the two opposing suction cheeks of at least one pair, by these suction cheeks being moved apart from one another in a direction (arrow 9) orthogonal to the general extension of the folded side fold hose, wherein, in order to smooth the outer surfaces (2, 3) of the still folded side fold hose, at least in the region contacted by the suction cheeks, at least one suction cheek of at least one of the two pairs, preferably both suction cheeks of at least one of the two pairs, is/are moved along the outer surface (2, 3) of the folded side fold hose outwards (arrow 8) away from the second pair of suction cheeks. Method for opening a side fold hose delivered in a flat folded state, in particular from a hose store, for the purpose of later transfer to a device, in particular to a coating device, wherein arranged on each of the two sides of the folded side fold hose are at least two suction cheeks, wherein in each case the one suction cheek arranged on the one side of the side fold hose forms a pair with the other corresponding suction cheek arranged on the opposite side of the folded side fold hose, wherein in each case the region of the side fold hose adjacent to a suction cheek is suctioned by this suction cheek and, in particular following this, the side fold hose is at least partially expanded by the enlargement of the distance interval between the two opposing suction cheeks of at least one pair, by these suction cheeks being moved apart from one another in a direction (arrow 9) orthogonal to the general extension of the folded side fold hose, wherein, in order to smooth the outer surfaces (2, 3) of the still folded side fold hose, at least in the region contacted by the suction cheeks, at least one suction cheek of at least one of the two pairs, preferably both suction cheeks of at least one of the two pairs, is/are moved along the outer surface (2, 3) of the folded side fold hose outwards (arrow 8) away from the second pair of suction cheeks.