Abby Hatch
Product Design and Technology
Final year project
Reusable Menstrual Pad Storage and Cleaning Aid: A Portable Solution for Enabling Sustainable Period Management
Reusable menstrual pad storage
This product enables sustainable period management. Usage is simple and reliable, empowering women to have confidence and autonomy during their menstrual cycle.
Prototype models
The prototypes were SLS printed and painted to demonstrate two colour variants. When ordering the product online there are a variety of coordinating colours, allowing the user to choose their favourites.
Exploded view
There are five IP66 rated seal locations which prevent odour and water leakage. There are 19 different components which have been optimised for manufacture and assembly.
Internal mechanism
The main mechanisms are: the water fill cap, which opens to the fill position using a torsion spring; the slide bar, which retrains the cap in closed position; the push button, which, when pressed releases the plunger seal so the water goes into the pad chamber.
Filling the water chamber
The water chamber is filled via a hinged funnel port. Soaking the fabric pad prevents stains, and allows effective machine washing.
Modelling process
The SLS parts were sanded and primed in order to prepare the surfaces for the top paint coat.
Abby Hatch
In design projects I seek challenges relating to sustainability and social well-being. My two prominent projects this year have addressed period management using reusable menstrual pads, and the issue of violence at communal toilets within refugee camps. The projects are not glamorous but my intention is to confront real issues which are often neglected due to their sensitive nature.
I enjoy engaging with the research involved in developing an understanding of a brief, particularly conducting primary data collection to gain insights into user's behaviours. I have electronics and mechanical technical skills, which I can apply individually or to collaborate with specialist engineers. To communicate, I have proficiency in SolidWorks CAD, sketching - both by hand and digitally (Sketchbook Pro and Adobe Illustrator), and Keyshot rendering. I am motivated to work on projects which develop sustainable, worthwhile and creative solutions.
Awards
Design School Prize for Academic Excellence, 2016-17
Placements
July 2017 - July 2018
Cambridge Consultants - Product Design Intern