Expander device for keeping an opening in food packaging open

Abstract

The invention relates to an expander device ( 100 ) for keeping a pouch opening ( 410 ) of a pouch ( 400 ) open. The expander device ( 100 ) comprises a ring member ( 120 ), by which a central opening ( 110 ) is surrounded. The ring member ( 120 ) comprises at least one flap ( 150 ) that is convertible between an expanded position and a collapsed position. In the expanded position, the flap ( 150 ) extends from the ring member ( 120 ) on one side ( 111 ) of the central opening ( 110 ) to keep clear of the central opening ( 110 ) for allowing to bring the ring member ( 120 ) into alignment with a circumferential rim section ( 411 ) of the pouch opening ( 410 ). In the collapsed position, the flap ( 150 ) extends from the ring member ( 120 ) into or through the central opening ( 110 ) so that a fitment section ( 151 ) of the flap ( 150 ) faces laterally outside with respect to the central opening ( 110 ) to be fitted against an inner side surface ( 412 ) of the rim section ( 411 ) to keep the pouch opening ( 410 ) open. The invention further relates to a package system ( 200 ) comprising the expander device ( 100 ) and a pouch ( 400 ) carrying a food product, and to a method for use of said package system ( 200 ).

1 . An expander device for keeping a pouch opening of a pouch open, the expander device comprising a ring member by which a central opening is at least partially surrounded, wherein the ring member comprises at least one flap being convertible between an expanded position, in which the flap extends from the ring member on one side of the central opening to keep clear of the central opening for allowing to bring the ring member into alignment with a circumferential rim section of the pouch opening, and a collapsed position, in which the flap extends from the ring member at least partially into or through the central opening so that a fitment section of the flap faces laterally outside with respect to the central opening so as to be fitted against an inner side surface of the rim section to keep the pouch opening open. 
     
     
         2 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein the flap is provided on an upper edge section of the ring member, and
 wherein the flap is integrally formed with the ring member.   
     
     
         3 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein the flap has a length in an extension direction being equal to or larger than a height or thickness of the ring member or a height of the central opening. 
     
     
         4 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ring member comprises a plurality of flaps. 
     
     
         5 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the flaps comprises a levelling section provided at a distal edge of the flap with respect to the ring member, wherein, in the collapsed state, the levelling section bulges towards the central opening or is laterally offset from the fitment section towards the central opening. 
     
     
         6 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ring member comprises a circumferential attachment section at least partially surrounding the central opening for fitting the expander device at the rim section of the pouch opening or at a container opening of a storage container for receiving the pouch, wherein the attachment section faces laterally outside and inside with respect to the central opening. 
     
     
         7 . The expander device according to  claim 6 , wherein an outer circumferential surface of the ring member forms the attachment section, and
 an inner circumferential surface of the ring member forms the attachment section.   
     
     
         8 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein the expander device has a shape selected from the group consisting of round, circular, oval, square, and rectangular. 
     
     
         9 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ring member comprises a circumferential device rim section protruding laterally away from and towards the central opening. 
     
     
         10 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ring member comprises a circumferential first rim section, wherein the flap(s) extend from the first rim section, and an integral second rim section being provided opposite to the first rim section (with respect to the central opening for fitting the expander device at the rim section of the pouch opening or at a container opening of a storage container for receiving the pouch. 
     
     
         11 . The expander device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a lid for closing the central opening at least in the collapsed position,
 the lid is separately provided, and   the lid is integrally formed with the expander device or the ring member.   
     
     
         12 . A package system, comprising a pouch carrying a food product, and
 an expander device for keeping a pouch opening of a pouch open, the expander device comprising a ring member by which a central opening is at least partially surrounded, wherein the ring member comprises at least one flap being convertible between an expanded position, in which the flap extends from the ring member on one side of the central opening to keep clear of the central opening for allowing to bring the ring member into alignment with a circumferential rim section of the pouch opening, and a collapsed position, in which the flap extends from the ring member at least partially into or through the central opening so that a fitment section of the flap faces laterally outside with respect to the central opening so as to be fitted against an inner side surface of the rim section to keep the pouch opening open,   wherein the flap(s) are configured to be inserted into a pouch opening of the pouch when being converted from the expanded position to the collapsed position to keep the pouch opening open by fitment of the fitment section (against an inner side surface of a circumferential rim section of the pouch opening.   
     
     
         13 . The package system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a storage container having a container opening for receiving the pouch and the expander device,
 the expander device is configured to press the rim section towards or against a circumferential inner wall section (of the storage container.   
     
     
         14 - 15 . (canceled)