Frequently Asked Questions about Instapak® Quick™ Packaging

Are the Quick™ bags supposed to fill up completely with foam?

The bags are designed to have some air space after the foam has risen. This allows the foam to expand unrestricted around the product to be packaged.

Your #80 does not look big enough to fill the bottom of my box. Can I use more than 2 cushions for top and bottom protection?

Yes, it is very common, with the foam-in-bag packaging method, to use more than 2 bags to protect a product. A good example is our monitor pack.

Can I activate the Quick™ bags without using the Quick™ warmer?

No, because this foam formulation must be activated at a prescribed temperature, the bags must be heated in the Quick™ warmer, manufactured by Sealed Air Corporation. Use of the Quick™ warmer assures, that after 30 minutes of warming, the Quick™ bags will be at the proper temperature.

What happens if I activate a cold bag?

A cold bag will take a long time to react, and the foam will be unacceptable quality, resulting in reduced cushioning effectiveness.

Can I microwave the Instapak® Quick™ bags instead of using your Quick™ warmer?

No, never use a microwave to heat the bags for the following reasons:

• Component "A" and "B" will not heat up in a microwave.
• The foil in the internal pouch could damage your microwave.

Can I use an alternative heating source for Quick™ bags?

No, never use an alternative heating source to warm the Quick™ bags. Instapak® Quick™ foam packaging has been designed and formulated to be reacted at a prescribed temperature and any deviation from that temperature will cause you to make a finished cushion that will not protect your product.

What if I activate a bag and then realize it was the wrong bag? Can I re-use this bag?

If the bag you activated was too big, put it aside and use it as a voidfill cushion for another pack. If the cushion you activated was too small, then use it and supplement it with additional bags.

Can I shake the bag, once the foam starts to rise, to spread the foam throughout the bag?

No, do not shake the bag at anytime. Shaking the bag can cause the foam cells to break down resulting in a cushion that is smaller than it should be. Proper placement of the product, on the rising cushion, will help the foam spread throughout the bag.

Which Instapak Quick® bag should I use? Instapak Quick® or Instapak® Quick Tuff™?

This is determined by the size and weight of your product. See the Instapak® Quick™ Packaging Performance Chart to determine which Instapak® Quick™ packaging foam is best suited for your application.

What is a product positioner and why would you use one?

A product positioner is used when the product to be packaged is difficult or awkward to handle while placing it into the rising foam. A positioner is a block of polyethylene, polyurethane, polystyrene or wood used to lift, hold, center or help position the product to be packaged within the center of the shipping box. The thickness of the positioner is determined by the size of the shipping box and the amount of foam needed to surround the product. For example: If the product and the shipping box dictate that 2 inches of foam protection is needed, then fabricate a 2 inch thick piece of wood or other suitable material to act as a product positioner.

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