Ari -Sanitary Pad Dispenser

Product Description

The Ari- Sanitary pad dispenser is a self-service pad dispenser installed in schools. Girls are issued a unique ID-card which is used to access the machines. The Ari team also teaches the importance of menstrual hygiene management.

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The product is currently distributed directly by the manufacturer. The manufacturer plans to partner with NGOs in the future. ^{Interview with designer in 2020}

Manufacturing/Building Method

The designer has not yet selected their manufacturing strategy.

Intellectural Property Type

Other

User Provision Model

The machine is not being sold yet. Currently, the designers form partnerships with schools and offer the machine as a service.

Distributions to Date Status

None. The product is still in the development phase.

Design Specifications

The product is a wall-mounted sanitary pad dispenser. The machine has an 82-pad capacity and can accept most commercial pads sold in Kenya. The end-user withdraws pads by tapping a near-field communication (NFC) card on a card reader, where the machine dispenses one pad per tap. Each NFC card has a unique user-ID associated with it, which allows product tracing. This tracing data is shared with the partner schools, which allows them to better track the usage of sanitary pads. The machine dimensions are approximately 400 x 700 x 200 mm.

Technical Support

Provided by the manufacturer.

Replacement Components

Replacement components include NFC cards.

Lifecycle

The machine has an 82-pad capacity and requires manual filling once empty. The life time of the machine is expected to be between 5-10 years.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Manufacturer specified performance targets include privacy, physical accessibility, and end-user independence.

Vetted Performance Status

Machine testing was done by the manufacturer. Specific testing parameters included: compatibility with different market-available pads, machine refilling, dispensing mechanisms, end-user interaction and experience, and battery efficiencies. No third party testing has been completed. ^{Interview with designer in 2020}

Safety

Safety precautions include potential sharp edges and the potential the machine may detach from its wall.

Complementary Technical Systems

The machine is powered by either solar or grid power. An NFC card is required by the end-user to use the machine.

Academic Research and References

J. G. Vaughn, A Review of Menstruation Hygiene Management among Schoolgirls in Sub-Saharan Africa, University of North Carolina, 2013.

M. Sommer, Where the education system and women’s bodies collide: The social and health impact of girls’ experiences of menstruation and schooling in Tanzania, J. Adolesc., vol. 33, no. 4, pp. 521–529, Aug. 2010, doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2009.03.008.

J. Kirk and M. Sommer, Menstruation and body awareness: linking girls’ health with girls’ education, 2006.

Compliance with regulations

In the process of approval by the Kenya Bureau of Standards.

Other Information

ASME iShow Kenya 2020 winner