Abstract:
The present invention relates to a layered magnetic wafer seal for adhesive attachment to folded pieces, such as brochures, folded cards, self-mailers and postal mailers, which are generally made of card stock. One or more layered magnetic wafer seals may be adhesively attached to the open edges of a folded piece to secure the open edges together, for example, as required during the mailing process. The layered magnetic wafer seal can then be broken, preferably along at least one line of weakness, allowing the piece to be unfolded and converting the layered magnetic wafer seal into at least two magnetic holders for securing a piece to a metal surface. The unfolded piece can then be secured to a metallic surface by placing the side of the piece with the magnetic holders against the metallic surface, thereby allowing the magnetic holders to engage the metal surface, holding the piece in place.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/450,154, filed Feb. 26, 2003. 
    
    
     (a) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a layered magnetic wafer seal for adhesive attachment to folded pieces, such as brochures, folded cards, self-mailers and postal mailers, which are generally made of card stock. One or more layered magnetic wafer seals may be adhesively attached to the open edges of a folded piece to secure the open edges together, for example, as required during the mailing process. The layered magnetic wafer seal can then be broken, preferably along at least one line of weakness, allowing the piece to be unfolded and converting the layered magnetic wafer seal into at least two magnetic holders for securing a piece to a metal surface. The unfolded piece can then be secured to a metallic surface by placing the side of the piece with the magnetic holders against the metallic surface, thereby allowing the magnetic holders to engage the metal surface, holding the piece in place. 
     (b) Description of the Prior Art 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,938,654 to C. T. Braren teaches a machine for closing and sealing cartons, particularly cigarette cartons. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,056,451 to A. H. Haberstump teaches an apparatus for automatically stretching and securing a layer of fabric trim material over a padded backing sheet. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,388,770 to E. L. Stein teaches a method for sealing of mailing pieces by means of a small piece of gummed tape applied across the joint to be closed and sealed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,854,164 to L. Triolo teaches a high speed machine for applying short lengths or tabs of tape having a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive thereon to box blanks or other articles. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,962 to Kleid teaches an automatic machine which utilizes sealing tape to seal the edges of a folded article passing therethrough. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,160,687 to Spear teaches an apparatus for applying labels across the pages of a magazine as it is being conveyed with the binding of the magazine first. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,757 to Martin et al. teaches an apparatus for producing mail pieces and a system and method for controlling the apparatus to produce mail pieces in a variety of configurations. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,983 to Slater teaches a machine comprising a pair of rolls on powered shafts for forming a tight fit between a wafer seal and a form piece as they move between the rolls. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,175 to Graushar et al. teaches a system for preparing mail products having an arrangement for folding each of the mail products at least once and externally applying a self-adhesive label around each of the mail products after folding. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,300 to Oussani, Jr. et al. teaches a tabbing machine for applying adhesive tabs over the edge of an article. 
     Businesses often advertise by sending coupons, promotional materials, flyers, and other types of advertising materials through the U.S. mail or by inserting them between the pages of newspapers. These folded and sealed pieces are either mailed in envelopes, which may contain other types of advertising material, or are mailed or delivered as folded and sealed pieces which do not employ an envelope. The U.S. Postal Service has enacted rules specifying how the open edges of unenveloped pieces must be secured (tabbed) to prevent an open edge from jamming high-speed mail processing and sorting equipment. These rules are enumerated in the Domestic Mail Manual Quick Service Guide  811 , “Tabs and Wafer Seals,” incorporated herein by reference. Construction of the piece plays an important role in determining automation compatibility. Standards for tabbing are based on basis weight of paper stock used and the location of the folded or bound edge. The sealing method used to secure the folded edges of the piece can employ glue, tape, or wafer seals. To open the piece, the consumer merely breaks the seal on the edges of the piece and unfolds the piece. 
     Applicant is aware of no prior art where a layered magnetic wafer seal can be used to seal a piece and then be converted into at least two magnetic holders for securing a piece to a metal surface by breaking the layered magnetic wafer seal, preferably along at least one line of weakness arranged across the wafer seal. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a layered magnetic wafer seal for adhesive attachment to folded pieces, such as brochures, folded cards, self-mailers and postal mailers. In the preferred embodiment, the layered magnetic wafer seal is composed of a thin, relatively flat, flexible magnet having an upper surface, a lower surface, a thickness between said upper surface and said lower surface, two lines of weakness comprised of spaced perforations which extend across the upper surface and at least partially through the magnet thickness towards the lower surface, a first adhesive layer affixed to the lower surface, a paper layer having the same shape as the magnet affixed to the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer affixed to the paper layer. The two lines of weakness, which intersect at their respective mid-points and form four approximately 90 degree angles between them, are comprised of a multiplicity of spaced perforations which extend through the magnet and paper layer. The layered magnetic wafer seal may be attached to and seal the edges of a folded piece by adhering the second adhesive layer to the edges of the piece. The layered magnetic wafer seal can then be converted into at least two magnetic holders for securing the piece to a metal surface by breaking, tearing, or otherwise severing the layered magnetic wafer seal to form the magnetic holders. 
     It is often the hope of the business producing or sending the piece that the consumer will retain the piece and post it in a conspicuous place, such as a bulletin board or refrigerator. Small, flexible magnets have become very popular with consumers, who use them as “refrigerator magnets” to hold coupons, advertisements, promotional material, postcards, etc. on their home refrigerator. Consequently, there is a need for flexible wafer seals which can be adhesively attached to folded card stock or other material used for advertising pieces to secure the open edges and which can subsequently be used to magnetically attach the unfolded piece to a metal object, such as a refrigerator, when the seal is broken. 
     A principal object and advantage of the present invention is that the layered magnetic wafer seal can be used to secure the edges of a piece and then be converted into at least two magnetic holders for securing a piece to a metal surface by breaking, tearing, or otherwise severing the wafer seal to form the magnetic holders. 
     An additional object and advantage of the present invention is that the layered magnetic wafer seal is easily manufactured in volume, is flexible enough to be folded over and be easily adhered in that position, is thin enough not to adversely impact a U.S. Postal Service automatic mail sorting machine, and is easily applicable to the edges of the piece. 
     An additional object and advantage of the present invention is that the layered magnetic wafer seal has sufficient strength to survive mailing but is easily broken or torn when upward or sideways pressure is applied to it so that the consumer may unseal the sealed edges of the piece without tearing the piece when such pressure is applied. 
     An additional object and advantage of the present invention is that when the layered magnetic wafer seal is detached from the liner and folded along a line of weakness, the line of weakness enhances the ability of the layered magnetic wafer seal to stay folded and not resume a flat position. 
     An additional object and advantage of the present invention is that the layered magnetic wafer seal of the preferred embodiment, and many of the alternate embodiments, may be utilized with existing tabbing machines by reconfiguring the tabbing machine to accept and apply the label. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the layered magnetic wafer seal of the present invention on a liner, depicting a magnet, a first adhesive layer, a paper layer, and a second adhesive layer, with two intersection lines of weakness comprised of spaced perforations through all layers; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a multiplicity of the layered magnetic wafer seals of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a multiplicity of an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal of  FIG. 1 , having a different shape; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a multiplicity of an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal of  FIG. 1 , having a different shape; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a multiplicity of an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal of  FIG. 1 , having a different shape; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the magnet of the layered magnetic wafer seal of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal of  FIG. 1 , where the two lines of weakness extend partially across the magnet and extend completely through the magnet but not the paper layer; 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal of  FIG. 1 , where the two lines of weakness extend across the magnet and extend partially through the magnet but not the paper layer; 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal of  FIG. 1 , having one line of weakness extend across the magnet and extend completely through the magnet but not the paper layer; 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal of  FIG. 1 , having two lines of weakness comprised of two scorelines and a multiplicity of perforations; 
         FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal of  FIG. 1 , having a scoreline; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the magnet of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom view of the magnet of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal of  FIG. 1  having a line of weakness composed of one or more slits; 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of a multiplicity of an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal of  FIG. 1 , having a different shape; 
         FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of a multi-page piece prior to sealing, folded into three sections and having two layered magnetic wafer seals of  FIG. 4  affixed to an outside end edge; 
         FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of a multi-page piece prior to sealing, folded into two sections and having two layered magnetic wafer seals of  FIG. 1  each affixed to an outside side edge; 
         FIG. 18  is a front view of a piece prior to sealing, folded into two sections and having one layered magnetic wafer seal of  FIG. 5  affixed to an outside end edge; 
         FIG. 19  is a front view of the piece of  FIG. 16 , where the piece is unsealed and unfolded and has four magnetic holders; 
         FIG. 20  is a front view of the piece of  FIG. 17 , where the piece is unsealed and unfolded and has four magnetic holders; 
         FIG. 21  is a front view of the piece of  FIG. 18 , where the piece is unsealed and unfolded and has two magnetic holders; 
         FIG. 22  is a front perspective view of a piece prior to sealing, folded into three sections and having one layered magnetic wafer seal of  FIG. 3  affixed to an outside end edge; 
         FIG. 23  is a front view of the piece of  FIG. 22 , where the piece is unsealed and unfolded and has two magnetic holders; 
         FIG. 24  is a front perspective view of a piece after sealing, folded into two sections and having the layered magnetic wafer seal of  FIG. 1  affixed to two outside end edges; and 
         FIG. 25  is an end view of the piece of  FIG. 24 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to the figures,  FIG. 1  shows a layered magnetic wafer seal  10  which is the preferred embodiment of the present invention removably adhesively affixed to liner  8 . The layered magnetic wafer seal  10  is composed of a thin, relatively flat, flexible magnet  20  having an upper surface  24 , a lower surface  26 , a thickness  22  between said upper surface  24  and said lower surface  26 , a first adhesive layer  70  affixed to the lower surface  26 , a paper layer  80  having the same shape as the magnet  20  affixed to the first adhesive layer  70 , and a second adhesive layer  72  affixed to the paper layer  80 . At least one line of weakness, comprising two intersecting lines of weakness  50 ,  52  extend both across the magnet upper surface  24  and the paper layer  80  and extend completely through the magnet thickness  22  and paper layer  80 . The two intersecting lines of weakness  50 ,  52  intersect at their respective mid-points  56  and form four approximately 90 degree angles between them. Each of the two lines of weakness  50 ,  52  are comprised of a multiplicity of spaced perforations  60  which extend through the magnet thickness  22  and the paper layer  80 , and each of the multiplicity of perforations  60  have a spacing  62  between adjacent perforations  60 .  FIG. 2  shows a multiplicity of the layered magnetic wafer seals  10  of  FIG. 1  removably adhesively affixed to liner  8 .  FIGS. 3–5  show alternate embodiments of the layered magnetic wafer seal  110 – 310  removably adhesively affixed to liner  8 , where the magnets  120 – 320  have differing shapes. The layered magnetic wafer seal  10  may be adhesively attached to a piece  1  by applying the second adhesive layer  72  side to the piece  1 .  FIGS. 24 and 25  show the layered magnetic wafer seal  10  of  FIG. 1  attached to a folded piece  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the magnet  20  of the preferred embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal  10  is circular in shape with a preferential diameter, for example, in the range of approximately 1.905 centimeters (0.75 inch) to 2.858 centimeters (1.125 inches), and the magnet  20  has a preferential thickness  22  in the range of approximately 0.305 millimeters (0.012 inch; 12 mils) to 0.381 millimeters (0.015 inch; 15 mils) for example. This thickness  22  allows the layered magnetic wafer seal  10  to be flexibly attached to a piece  1  and to be easily torn along at least one line of weakness  50 ,  52 . Layered magnetic wafer seals having other size, shape or thickness can be used, such as in the layered magnetic wafer seals  10 ,  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510 ,  610 ,  710 ,  810 ,  910 , and  1010  described herein, so long as there is sufficient magnetic strength to secure or hold a piece  1  against a horizontal metallic surface. The magnet  20 – 1020  shown in the various embodiments herein is preferably die cut or stamped from a known thin sheet of flexible magnetic material, such as a vinyl material having magnetic material dispersed therethrough. Such a sheet of flexible magnetic material can be obtained under the trademark “UltraMag” from Flex-Mag Industrial, Inc., of Marietta, Ohio. Depending on the magnetic capabilities of the magnetic material and the weight of the item to be magnetically affixed, the magnet  20 - 1020  size and thickness  22 - 622  can be varied. For example, the magnet  20 - 1020  diameter or width could vary in size from 2.223 centimeters (0.875 inches) to 7.620 centimeters (3.0 inches) or larger as necessary for use with heavier pieces  1 . Additionally, the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  can be made in any number of geometric shapes such as those shown in  FIGS. 1–6  and  15 , where the magnet  20 – 320 ,  1020  has shapes which may include circles, squares, rectangles, rectangles with curved edges, ovals, elliptical shapes, hourglass shapes and figure eight shapes. 
     As clearly shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  6 , the magnet  20  and paper layer  80  of the preferred embodiment have two lines of weakness  50 ,  52  extending therethrough. The two lines of weakness  50 ,  52  intersect at their respective mid-points  56 , forming four approximately 90 degree angles therebetween. Each line of weakness  50 ,  52  is comprised of a multiplicity of spaced perforations  60  which extend through the magnet thickness  22  and paper layer  80 . However, in an alternate embodiment, the multiplicity of spaced perforations  60  comprising the two lines of weakness  50 ,  52  may instead only extend completely through the magnet thickness  22  but not extend through the paper layer  180  ( FIG. 7 ), or the two lines of weakness  50 ,  52  may instead only extend completely through the paper layer  80  but not extend through the magnet thickness  122  (not shown). Additionally, in a further alternate embodiment, the multiplicity of spaced perforations  60  may instead only extend partially from the upper surface  24  through the magnet thickness  222  toward the lower surface  26  and not extend through the paper layer  180  ( FIG. 8 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  6 , the two lines of weakness  50 ,  52  preferably extend substantially across the center of the magnet  20  and intersect at their respective mid-points  56 , forming four approximately 90 degree angles therebetween and dividing the magnet  20  into substantially equally sized quarter sections. However, the two lines of weakness  50 ,  52  may be in any orientation in regard to the edge of the liner  8 , which is removably attached to the adhesive layer during production of the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 . The two lines of weakness  50 ,  52  may also be in any position on the magnet  20  and paper layer  80  or on just the magnet  20  or on just the paper layer  180 , and may intersect at any angle in order accommodate the configuration of the tabbing machine to be used. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  6 , the two lines of weakness  50 ,  52  in the preferred embodiment are comprised of a multiplicity of spaced perforations  60 , which extend from the upper surface  24  through the magnet thickness  22  and paper layer  80 . The perforations  60  closest to the edges of magnet  20  in lines of weakness  50 ,  52  preferably cut the magnet  20  along thickness  22 . This makes the layered magnetic wafer seal  10  easier to separate along lines of weakness  50 ,  52 .  FIG. 6  depicts a top view of the magnet  20  of  FIG. 1 , showing two lines of spaced perforations  60  extending across the magnet  20 . In the preferred embodiment, the multiplicity of perforations  60  comprising lines of weakness  50 ,  52  each have a spacing  62  between adjacent perforations  60 . The spacing  62  may be of any length which allows a consumer to easily tear the layered magnetic wafer seal  10  along the at least one line of weakness  50 ,  52 . The spacing  62  preferably has a length in the approximate range of 0.106 centimeter (0.0417 inch) to 0.159 centimeter (0.0626 inch). When the layered magnetic wafer seal  10  is folded along one of the lines of weakness  50 ,  52 , as shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25 , that line of weakness  50 ,  52  along the fold decreases the tendency for the layered magnetic wafer seal  10  to unfold because it decreases the ability of the magnet  20  to resume a flat position. 
       FIG. 7  depicts an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal  410 , in which the layered magnetic wafer seal  410  is composed of a thin, relatively flat, flexible magnet  420  having an upper surface  124 , a lower surface  26 , a thickness  122  between said upper surface  124  and said lower surface  26 , two lines of weakness  150 ,  152  comprised of a multiplicity of spaced perforations  60  extending partially across the magnet upper surface  124  and extending completely through the magnet  420 , a first adhesive layer  70  affixed to the lower surface  26 , a paper layer  180  having the same shape as the magnet  20  affixed to the first adhesive layer  70 , and a second adhesive layer  72  affixed to the paper layer  180 . In this embodiment, the at least one line of weakness comprises two intersecting lines of weakness  150 ,  152  which extend through the magnet thickness  122  to the magnet lower surface  26 , but do not extend into the paper layer  180 . The two lines of weakness  150 ,  152  intersect at their respective mid-points  156  and form four approximately 90 degree angles therebetween. Each of the two lines of weakness  150 ,  152  are comprised of a multiplicity of spaced perforations  60  which extend through the magnet thickness  122  and each of the multiplicity of perforations  60  have a spacing  62  between adjacent perforations  60 . The spacing  62  may be of any length which allows a consumer to easily tear the layered magnetic wafer seal  410  along a line of weakness  150 ,  152 . The liner  8  may be detached from the second adhesive layer  72  whereby the layered magnetic wafer seal  410  may be adhesively attached to a piece  1  by applying the second adhesive layer  72  side to the piece  1 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal  510 , in which the layered magnetic wafer seal  510  is composed of a thin, relatively flat, flexible magnet  520  having an upper surface  224 , a lower surface  26 , a thickness  222  between said upper surface  224  and said lower surface  26 , two lines of weakness  250 ,  252  comprised of a multiplicity of spaced perforations  60  extending at least partially across the magnet upper surface  224 , a first adhesive layer  70  affixed to the lower surface  26 , a paper layer  80  having the same shape as the magnet  20  affixed to the first adhesive layer  70 , and a second adhesive layer  72  affixed to the paper layer  80 . In this embodiment, the at least one line of weakness comprises two intersecting lines of weakness  250 ,  252  which extend at least partially through the magnet thickness  222  towards the magnet lower surface  26  but do not extend through the paper layer  180 . The two lines of weakness  250 ,  252  intersect at their respective mid-points  256  and form four approximately 90 degree angles therebetween. Each of the two lines of weakness  250 ,  252  are comprised of a multiplicity of spaced perforations  60  which extend at least partially through the magnet thickness  222  towards the lower surface  26 , and each of the multiplicity of perforations  60  have a spacing  62  between adjacent perforations  60 . The spacing  62  may be of any length which allows a consumer to easily tear the layered magnetic wafer seal  510  along a line of weakness  250 ,  252 . In this embodiment, where the perforations  60  do not extend fully through the magnet thickness  22 , the perforations  60  are preferably at least 0.127 to 0.229 millimeters (0.005 to 0.009 inch; 5 to 9 mils) deep, when the thickness  22  of magnet  20  is 0.305 millimeters (0.012 inch; 12 mils). After removal from the liner  8 , the layered magnetic wafer seal  510  may be adhesively attached to a piece  1  by applying the second adhesive layer  72  side to the piece  1 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal  610 , in which the layered magnetic wafer seal  610  is composed of a thin, relatively flat, flexible magnet  620  having an upper surface  324 , a lower surface  26 , a thickness  322  between said upper surface  324  and said lower surface  26 , a first adhesive layer  70  affixed to the lower surface  26 , a paper layer  280  having the same shape as the magnet  620  affixed to the first adhesive layer  70 , a second adhesive layer  72  affixed to the paper layer  280 , and one line of weakness  50  comprised of a multiplicity of spaced perforations  60  extending at least partially across the magnet upper surface  324  and paper layer  280 . The one line of weakness  50  is comprised of a multiplicity of spaced perforations  60  which extend both at least partially across the magnet upper surface  324  and the paper layer  280  and extends completely through the magnet thickness  322  and paper layer  280 . Each of the multiplicity of perforations  60  have a spacing  62 . The spacing  62  may be of any length which allows a consumer to easily tear the layered magnetic wafer seal  610  along the line of weakness  50 . After removal from the liner  8 , the layered magnetic wafer seal  610  may be adhesively attached to a piece  1  by applying the second adhesive layer  72  side to the piece  1 . In an alternate embodiment, the multiplicity of spaced perforations  60  comprising the one line of weakness  50  may instead only extend completely through the magnet thickness  322  but not extend through the paper layer  180 . Additionally, in a further alternate embodiment, the multiplicity of spaced perforations  60  comprising the one line of weakness  50  may instead only extend partially from the upper surface  324  through the magnet thickness  322  toward the lower surface  26  and not extend through the paper layer  180 . 
       FIG. 10  depicts an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal  710 , in which the layered magnetic wafer seal  710  is composed of a thin, relatively flat, flexible magnet  720  having an upper surface  424 , a lower surface  26 , a thickness  422  between said upper surface  424  and said lower surface  26 , a first adhesive layer  70  affixed to the lower surface  26 , a paper layer  80  having the same shape as the magnet  720  affixed to the first adhesive layer  70 , a second adhesive layer  72  affixed to the paper layer  80 , and two lines of weakness  350 ,  352  comprised of two intersection scorelines  66  extending at least partially across the magnet upper surface  424  and at least partially through the magnet thickness  422  and further comprised of a multiplicity of spaced perforations  60  extending at least partially across and completely through the remainder of the thickness  422  and the paper layer  80  under each of the scorelines  66 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the scoreline  66  does not extend fully through the thickness  422  of the magnet  720 . For a magnet  720  having a thickness  422  of about 0.305 millimeters (0.012 inch or 12 mils), the scoreline  66  is preferably 0.0762 millimeters (0.003 inch; 3 mils) to 0.229 millimeters (0.009 inch; 9 mils) deep, and more preferably 0.127 millimeters (0.005 inch; 5 mils) to 0.178 millimeters (0.007 inch; 7 mils) deep. Each of the multiplicity of perforations  60  have a spacing  62  between adjacent perforations  60 . The spacing  62  may be of any length which allows a consumer to easily tear the layered magnetic wafer seal  710  along the line of weakness  250 . After removal from the liner  8 , the layered magnetic wafer seal  710  may be adhesively attached to a piece  1  by applying the second adhesive layer  72  side to the piece  1 . However, in an alternate embodiment, the scorelines  166  of the two lines of weakness  350 ,  352  may extend completely through the magnet thickness  422  and the perforations would extend only through the paper layer  80  under the scorelines  166 . 
       FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal  810  of the present invention, comprising a thin, relatively flat, flexible magnet  820  having an upper surface  524 , a lower surface  26 , a thickness  522  between said upper surface  524  and said lower surface  26 , one line of weakness comprised of a scoreline  66  which extends at least partially across the magnet upper surface  524  and extends at least partially through the magnet thickness  522  towards the lower surface  26 , a first adhesive layer  70  affixed to the lower surface  26 , and a second adhesive layer  72  affixed to the paper layer  180 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the one line of weakness  350  is comprised of a scoreline  66 , which is a cut line that does not extend fully through the thickness  522  of the magnet  820 . For a magnet  820  having a thickness  522  of about 0.305 millimeters (0.012 inch or 12 mils), the scoreline  66  is preferably 0.0762 millimeters (0.003 inch; 3 mils) to 0.229 millimeters (0.009 inch; 9 mils) deep, and more preferably 0.127 millimeters (0.005 inch; 5 mils) to 0.178 millimeters (0.007 inch; 7 mils) deep. 
       FIG. 12  depicts a top view of the magnet  820  of  FIG. 11 , with the magnet  820  having a scoreline  66  extending fully across its upper surface  524 .  FIG. 13  depicts the lower surface  26  of the magnet  820  of  FIG. 11 , showing that the scoreline  66  does not extend entirely through the magnet thickness  822  and does not extend through the lower surface  26 . Alternatively, an alternate embodiment may have one line of weakness which comprises two intersecting scorelines  66  which extend at least partially through the magnet thickness  522  towards the magnet lower surface  26  (not shown). The two scorelines  66  intersect at their respective mid-points and form four approximately 90 degree angles therebetween (not shown). 
       FIG. 14  depicts an alternate embodiment of the magnet  920  of the layered magnetic wafer seal  910  of  FIG. 11 , where one line of weakness  450  is comprised of one or more slits  160  which extend at partially across the magnet  920  upper surface  624  and which extend at least partially or completely through the magnet thickness  622  (not shown). Alternatively, the layered magnetic wafer seal  910  may have two intersecting lines  450 ,  452  consisting of one or more slits which extend at least partially or completely through the magnet thickness  622 . The two lines  450 ,  452  intersect at their respective mid-points  456  and form four approximately 90 degree angles therebetween (not shown). 
       FIG. 15  depicts an alternate embodiment of the layered magnetic wafer seal  1010  of  FIGS. 10–12 , where the magnet  1020  has an hour-glass shape. The at least one line of weakness  350  comprises score-line  66  extending across the narrowest area of the upper surface  724 , as depicted in  FIG. 15 , but the one line of weakness  350  may also be comprised of spaced perforations  60  or slits  160  extending substantially across the narrowest area of the upper surface  724 . 
     Additionally, as shown in the figures, all embodiments of the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  can be made in any number of geometric shapes such as those shown in  FIGS. 1–6  and  15 , where the magnet  20 – 320 ,  1020  has shapes which may include circles, squares, rectangles, rectangles with curved edges, ovals, elliptical shapes, hourglass shapes and figure eight shapes. 
     Magnet  1020  shapes such as the hourglass shape depicted in  FIG. 15  allow the size of the layered magnetic wafer seal  1010  which is adhesively affixed to the piece  1  to be maximized, while the length of that portion of the magnet  1020  to be torn by the consumer is minimized. For example, the narrow area of the magnet  1020  which is to be torn by the consumer could be sized to be only 0.635 centimeter (0.250 inch) to 1.27 centimeters (0.500 inch) wide. 
     In each of the embodiments of the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  of  FIGS. 1–15 , and as shown in FIGS.  1  and  8 – 11 , a first layer of adhesive  70  is affixed to the lower surface  26  of the magnet  20 – 1020  and a second layer of adhesive  72  is affixed to the paper layer  80 – 280 . The adhesive layers  70 ,  72  are preferably about 0.0762 millimeters (0.003 inch; 3 mils) thick, although they may be thinner or thicker as required by the application. The adhesive is preferably a permanent adhesive with a minimum adhesive or shear strength value of at least 425.25 grams ( 15  ounces) per 2.54 centimeters (1 inch) at a speed of 30.48 centimeters (12 inches) per minute after application to a stainless steel plate; however any suitable adhesive may be used. The paper layer  80 – 280  provides strength to the line of weakness  50 – 450 ,  52 – 452  and assists in maintaining the integrity of the magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  when folded and prior to the consumer intentionally breaking at least one line of weakness  50 – 450 ,  52 – 452 . The paper layer  80 – 280  may be comprised of an uncoated paper substrate, vinyl or plastic, whether the paper layer  80 – 280  contain perforations  66  or slits  166 . The uncoated paper substrate is weaker and easier to tear than the vinyl or plastic, so use of the uncoated paper substrate is preferred when the paper layer  180  contains no perforations  66  or slits  166 . The second adhesive layer  72  is attached to and covered by a removable liner  8 . The liner  8  is preferably comprised of paper, plastic or vinyl, although it may be made of any suitable material. 
     One method for forming the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 11010  of all embodiments of the present invention ( FIGS. 1–15 ), including the preferred embodiment of the magnetic wafer  10  of  FIG. 1 , is as follows: a second layer  72  of the adhesive material is affixed to a liner  8 . A paper layer  80 – 280  is applied over the liner  8  onto the second adhesive layer  72 . A first layer  70  of the adhesive material is applied over and to the paper layer  80 – 280 . A layer of magnetic material is then applied over and onto the first adhesive layer  70 . The layers of adhesive, paper and magnetic material are then die cut into a chosen shape to the depth of, but not through, the liner  8 , cutting one or more layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  into the magnetic material, and the extra magnetic material and paper is detached from the liner  8 , leaving the one or more layered magnetic wafer seals  10 – 1010  removably adhesively attached to the liner  8 . The at least one line of weakness  50 – 450 ,  52 – 452  is added during the die cutting process. The perforations  66  are added to the magnet by perforation needles and may be added to the magnet or paper layer as required by the embodiment by insertion of the needles through the magnet upper surface and partially piercing the magnet thickness, or by insertion of the needles into the magnet upper surface and completely piercing the magnet thickness. The needles may then be inserted further through the layered magnetic wafer seal in order to pierce the paper layer. Additionally, the needles may be first inserted through the liner and then paper layer, leaving the magnet unperforated, or the needles may be inserted through first the liner, then the paper layer and then partially or completely through the magnet thickness. The spacings  62  are formed by the spacings between the perforation needles used to create the at least one line of weakness  50 – 250 ,  52 – 252 . The scoreline  66  is also formed by a blade during the die cutting process. The perforations  60  closest to the edges of magnet  20 – 1020  in lines of weakness  50 – 250 ,  52 – 252  preferably cut the magnet  20 – 1020  along thickness  22 – 422 . This makes the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  easier to separate along lines of weakness  50 – 250 ,  52 – 252 . 
     The at least one line of weakness  50 – 450 ,  52 – 452  on the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  of the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  may be oriented in relation to the liner  8  in any orientation which is required by the tabbing machine being used (see  FIGS. 1–5  and  8 – 11 ). Where two lines of weakness  50 ,  52  are employed ( FIGS. 1–5 ,  7 ,  8 ), one line of weakness  50 – 450  can be aligned parallel to the edges of the liner  8  and the other line of weakness  52 – 452  can be aligned perpendicular to the edges of the liner  8 . Where one line of weakness  50 – 450  is employed as in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , the line of weakness  50 – 450  can be aligned either parallel to the edges of the liner  8  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ) or perpendicular to the edges of the liner  8  ( FIG. 11 ). Additionally, any other orientation of the at least one line of weakness  50 – 450 ,  52 – 452  required by the tabbing process may be employed. The layered magnetic wafer seal  10  of the preferred embodiment and all of the alternate embodiments of the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  of the present invention ( FIGS. 1–14 ), with the exception of the embodiment  1010  of  FIG. 15  which has an hourglass shape, may be utilized with existing tabbing machines by reconfiguring the tabbing machine to accept and apply the label. For those layered magnetic wafer seals  10 – 1010  employed on pieces  1  to be mailed, the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010 , including the magnet  20 – 1020 , the first adhesive layer  70  and the second adhesive layer  72 , must have sufficient strength and holding power to hold the piece  1  sealed in a unitary folded piece  1  without the piece  1  losing form or unsealing during the mail processing by the United States Postal Service. In each of the embodiments, the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  may be adhesively affixed to a piece  1  by removing the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  from the liner  8 , then applying the second adhesive layer  72  side of a portion of the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  to two outer open edges  3  of the piece  1  so that the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  is folded over and adhered to the outer surface  5  of the piece  1 , thereby holding the piece edges  3  together and sealing them. As depicted in  FIGS. 24 and 25 , the at least one line of weakness  50 – 450 ,  52 – 452  in the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  serves as a fold line and allow the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  to be easily folded along any of the at least one lines of weakness  50 – 450 ,  52 – 452 , wherein the portions of the upper surface  24 – 624  on either side of the folded line of weakness  50 – 450 ,  52 – 452  are pressed towards each other, bringing portions of the lower surface  26  in proximity to each other. 
       FIGS. 17–18  show a one or more of the layered magnetic wafer seals  810 ,  310  partially adhesively affixed to one or more outer edges  3  of a piece  1 , prior to sealing the piece  1  by folding the piece  1  along the a fold line  7  and folding the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  along one of the at least one line of weakness  50 – 450 ,  52 – 452  and adhesively attaching another portion of the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  to a second outer edge  3 . Folding the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  along the at least one line of weakness  50 – 450 ,  52 – 452  also permits the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  to stay in the folded position. Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 22 , the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  may be adhesively attached to an outer edge  3  and an outer surface  5  of the piece  1  in order to seal the piece  1 . The process of sealing the piece  1  by application of the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  may be used for any of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1–15 . 
     The consumer unseals the piece  1  by tearing or breaking the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  of any of the embodiments of the present invention along the line or lines of weakness  50 – 450 ,  52 – 452  and then unfolding the folds  7  of the piece  1 . As shown in  FIGS. 19–21  and  23 , this action converts the layered magnetic wafer seal  10 – 1010  into at least two magnetic holders  92 – 392 ,  94 – 394  for securing a piece  1  to a metallic surface. The unfolded piece  1  can then be secured to a metallic surface by placing the outer surface  5  of the piece  1  containing the magnetic holders  92 – 392 ,  94 – 394  against the metallic surface, thereby allowing the magnetic holders  92 – 392 ,  94 – 394  to engage the metallic surface, holding the piece  1  in place. 
     A plurality of layered magnetic wafer seals  10 – 1010  could be employed to seal the piece  1 . For example, two or more layered magnetic wafer seals  10 – 1010  could be placed along the end edge  3  of the piece  1  ( FIG. 16 ), one or more could be placed along the open side edge  3  or edges  3  of the piece  1  ( FIG. 17 ) or one or more could be used to seal an edge  3  of the substrate against a surface  5  of the substrate ( FIGS. 16 and 22 ). 
     The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modifications can be made by those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.