Belt merchandising system and method

Abstract

A flexible sheet of a desired material is configured with a number of loop openings for the passage of a belt or belt loops depending on the configuration of the tool belt to be displayed. One or more hanger openings are also included in the flexible sheet for supporting the tool belt in a retail location, and a handle opening may also be included. The flexible sheet is also configured to be wearable by a consumer during an evaluation of the tool belt, without undue interference to the evaluation. Printed material may be included on the flexible sheet, to include consumer information, UPCs, and other information typically included in product packaging.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool belt display apparatus, comprising:
 a relatively thin, flexible longitudinal sheet of a size and shape selected for a predetermined tool belt configuration, the flexible sheet comprising (a) a first pair of loop openings, and a second pair of loop openings, each pair of loop openings disposed generally parallel and distributed symmetrically on opposing ends of the flexible longitudinal sheet, and (b) at least one hanger opening disposed higher than the loop openings.   
     
     
         2 . The tool belt display apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a central opening disposed generally in a central location of the flexible sheet. 
     
     
         3 . The tool belt display apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hanger opening comprises a symmetrical pair of hanger openings. 
     
     
         4 . The tool belt display apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible longitudinal sheet has a length that is at least 70% of a predetermined belt length. 
     
     
         5 . The tool belt display apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the flexible longitudinal sheet is between 80%-120% of the length of a predetermined back support element. 
     
     
         6 . The tool belt display apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the flexible longitudinal sheet is at least three times the height of the flexible longitudinal sheet. 
     
     
         7 . The tool belt display apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible longitudinal sheet comprises a printable material. 
     
     
         8 . The tool belt display apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the printable material comprises one selected from a coating and a laminate. 
     
     
         9 . The tool belt display apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the printable material is disposed only in areas anticipated to be visible when the tool belt is operatively connected to the flexible sheet. 
     
     
         10 . The tool belt display apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising printed material disposed on at least one surface. 
     
     
         11 . The tool belt display apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible longitudinal sheet comprises at least one material selected from PVC, polycarbonate, vinyl, and polyethylene. 
     
     
         12 . A method of preparing a tool belt for display, comprising:
 providing a flexible longitudinal sheet having a plurality of paired loop openings disposed along its length;   operatively connecting a belt to the flexible longitudinal sheet; and   operatively connecting at least one tool belt accessory to the belt and the flexible longitudinal sheet.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein operatively connecting the belt to the flexible longitudinal sheet comprises:
 disposing a back support member on a first side of the flexible longitudinal sheet;   passing a plurality of loops operatively connected to the back support member through select pairs of the plurality of paired loop openings in the flexible sheet so that the plurality of loops protrude from a second side of the flexible longitudinal sheet; and   threading the belt through the plurality of loops on the second side of the flexible longitudinal sheet.   
     
     
         14 . A tool belt merchandising system, comprising:
 a tool belt display apparatus, comprising a longitudinal flexible sheet having a plurality of loop openings, and at least one hanger opening, disposed therein; and   a tool belt operatively connected to the tool belt display apparatus, comprising a belt and at least one tool belt accessory.   
     
     
         15 . The tool belt merchandising system of  claim 14 , further comprising a back support element operatively connected to the tool belt display apparatus and tool belt. 
     
     
         16 . The tool belt merchandising system of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one selected from text, and graphical images, disposed on the flexible sheet. 
     
     
         17 . The tool belt merchandising system of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one hang tag operatively connected to the tool belt.