Labeling tag with expandable loop and pocket, and method of manufacture

A labeling tag comprising:

• a foldable tag portion comprising:
• a front segment;
• and
• a rear segment integrally connected to the front segment at a fold line, wherein the rear segment comprises a front surface and a rear surface;
• a film bonded to the front surface of the rear segment to define a pocket between the film and the front surface, the pocket having an inlet opening located adjacent to the fold line at which the film is unbonded to the front surface;
• and
• an elastomer portion secured to the rear surface of the rear segment, and comprising an expandable loop.

A method for manufacturing multiple labeling tags, the method comprising:

• advancing a web of a tag material in a longitudinal direction, the web having a front surface and a rear surface;
• laminating a film over a first segment of the front surface of the web, wherein a second segment of the web is free of the laminated film;
• bonding portions of the film to the front surface of the web to define multiple pockets, wherein each pocket has an inlet opening at which the film is unbonded to the front surface of the web;
• folding the second segment of the web over the first segment of the web to define a longitudinally-extending fold line, wherein the folded second segment covers at least a portion of the pockets, and wherein the inlet openings of the pockets are located adjacent to the longitudinally-extending fold line;
• laminating an elastomer film to the rear surface of the web to form a bonding zone between the elastomer film and the rear surface of the web adjacent to the longitudinally-extending fold line;
• cutting the laminated elastomer film to form multiple expandable loops;
• and
• forming lines of weakness in the front and rear segments of the web and in the bonded film to define the multiple labeling tags, wherein each of the multiple labeling tags includes one of the pockets and one of the expandable loops.