Labeling article with encapsulated tag end

Abstract

An article includes a tag and an elastic mechanism. The tag includes a front surface, a rear surface, first and second ends, a first fold defining a first bent portion, and a central span. The rear surface of the first bent portion is configured to face the rear surface of the central span. The elastic mechanism is secured to the first bent portion, wherein a first connection zone between the elastic mechanism and the first bent portion includes a first elastomer portion that extends along the rear surface of the first bent portion, extends around the first end, and includes a second elastomer portion that extends along the front surface of the first bent portion. An article strip includes a plurality of tags and a plurality of elastic mechanisms. Adjacent tags are separated by a weakened demarcation. A method of forming a plurality of articles is also described.

1 . An article including:
 a tag including:
 a front surface; 
 a rear surface; 
 first and second ends; 
 a first fold defining a first bent portion that extends from the first end to the first fold; and 
 a central span; 
 wherein the rear surface of the first bent portion is configured to face the rear surface of the central span; and 
   an elastic mechanism secured to the first bent portion, wherein a first connection zone between the elastic mechanism and the first bent portion includes a first elastomer portion that extends along the rear surface of the first bent portion, extends around the first end, and includes a second elastomer portion that extends along the front surface of the first bent portion.   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1  including a release agent disposed on at least a part of the rear surface of the central span of the tag. 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the first elastomer portion is larger than the second elastomer portion. 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1 , including:
 a second fold on the tag defining a second bent portion that extends from the second end to the second fold;   wherein the central span is defined between the first and second folds;   wherein the elastic mechanism secured to the second bent portion; and   wherein the rear surface of the second bent portion is configured to face the rear surface of the central span.   
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 4 , wherein a second connection zone between the elastic mechanism and the second bent portion includes a third elastomer portion that extends along the rear surface of the second bent portion, extends around the second end, and includes a fourth elastomer portion that extends along the front surface of the second bent portion. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 5 , wherein the elastic mechanism has a reduced width between the first and second connection zones. 
     
     
         7 . An article strip including:
 a plurality of tags, wherein adjacent tags are separated by a weakened demarcation, at least one of the plurality of tags including:
 a front surface; 
 a rear surface; 
 first and second ends; 
 a first fold defining a first bent portion that extends from the first end to the first fold; and 
 a central span; 
 wherein the rear surface of the first bent portion is configured to face the rear surface of the central span; and 
   a plurality of elastic mechanisms, wherein at least one of the elastic mechanisms is associated with the at least one of the plurality of tags, and wherein the at least one of the plurality of elastic mechanisms is secured to the first bent portion, wherein a first connection zone between the elastic mechanism and the first bent portion includes a first elastomer portion that extends along the rear surface of the first bent portion, extends around the first end, and includes a second elastomer portion that extends along the front surface of the first bent portion.   
     
     
         8 . The article strip of  claim 7 , including:
 a second fold on the at least one of the plurality of tags defining a second bent portion that extends from the second end to the second fold;   wherein the central span is defined between the first and second folds;   wherein at least one of the plurality of elastic mechanisms is secured to the second bent portion; and   wherein the rear surface of the second bent portion is configured to face the rear surface of the central span.   
     
     
         9 . The article strip of  claim 8 , wherein a second connection zone between the at least one of the plurality of elastic mechanisms and the second bent portion includes a third elastomer portion that extends along the rear surface of the second bent portion, extends around the second end, and includes a fourth elastomer portion that extends along the front surface of the second bent portion. 
     
     
         10 . The article strip of  claim 7 , further including a release agent disposed on at least a part of the rear surface of the central span of the at least one of the plurality of tags. 
     
     
         11 . The article strip of  claim 7 , wherein the first elastomer portion is larger than the second elastomer portion. 
     
     
         12 . The article strip of  claim 7  provided in a roll configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The article strip of  claim 7  wherein the demarcation includes a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         14 . A method of forming a plurality of articles, the method including:
 creasing a tag substrate between first and second ends to form a first fold, wherein a first bent portion is defined between the first end and the first fold;   disposing an elastomer on at least a portion of a central span of the tag substrate; and   bonding the elastomer to the tag substrate at a first connection zone, wherein a first elastomer portion extends along a rear surface of the first bent portion, extends around the first end, and a second elastomer portion extends along a front surface of the first bent portion.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein disposing the elastomer includes extruding molten elastomer material onto the tag substrate. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  including advancing the tag substrate and elastomer through a nip between two rollers. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  including lifting the first bent portion away from the central span to initiate the elastomer to flow under the first bent portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  including disposing a release agent on at least a part of the central span of the tag substrate. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  including removing at least a portion of the elastomer to form an elastic securing mechanism having a reduced width over the central span of the tag substrate. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  including:
 creasing the tag substrate between the first fold and second end to form a second fold, wherein a second bent portion is defined between the second end and the second fold; and 
 bonding the elastomer to the tag substrate at a second connection zone, wherein a third elastomer portion extends along a rear surface of the second bent portion, extends around the second end, and a fourth elastomer portion extends along a front surface of the second bent portion.