An apparatus for dispensing a product, including a housing having a storage rack for holding a first dispensable product; a weight movably positioned within the rack and configured to exert a downward force on the first dispensable product; a magnet affixed to the weight; a sensor plate having a sensor affixed thereto; a coin assembly having a first coin slot configured to receive a coin; and a pushbutton configured to cause the coin assembly to move from a first position to a second position; wherein the magnet is configured to substantially align with the sensor once the first dispensable product has been completely dispensed from the housing, the magnet and sensor being configured to activate an indicator light on the outside of the housing; and wherein the housing is configured to dispense the first dispensable product when the coin assembly is within the second position.

A self-lubricating tampon applicator includes a barrel having opposed insertion and proximal end portions and having a continuous side wall that defines an interior area and a plurality of spaced apart apertures and proximate the insertion end portion. A tampon is positioned in the interior area of the barrel. A piercing member is positioned between the tampon and the plurality of apertures. A lubricant reservoir is positioned between the tampon and the plurality of piercing members. A plunger situated in the barrel engages a proximal end of the tampon and is slidable from a starter configuration extending from the proximal end portion of the barrel to a deployed configuration positioned inside the barrel. Pressure applied to the plunger pushes the tampon and the reservoir downstream and the reservoir is pierced by the piercing member, dispensing lubricant through the plurality of apertures onto an outer surface of the barrel.

An apparatus for dispensing a product, including a housing having a storage rack for holding a first dispensable product; a weight movably positioned within the rack and configured to exert a downward force on the first dispensable product; a magnet affixed to the weight; a sensor plate having a sensor affixed thereto; a coin assembly having a first coin slot configured to receive a coin; and a pushbutton configured to cause the coin assembly to move from a first position to a second position; wherein the magnet is configured to substantially align with the sensor once the first dispensable product has been completely dispensed from the housing, the magnet and sensor being configured to activate an indicator light on the outside of the housing; and wherein the housing is configured to dispense the first dispensable product when the coin assembly is within the second position.

A vending machine that dispense feminine hygiene products. Specifically, this invention is a coin-operated vending machine that dispenses sanitary napkins and tampons. This invention allows a user to purchase a feminine hygiene product by placing a coin or multiple coins in a slot within the vending machine and pressing a product release button. The product is then dispensed to the consumer. The apparatus also provides a mechanism for retrieving a coin in the event that the vending machine is out of a specific feminine hygiene. Further, in the free condition, this product dispenser has a time delay to prevent users from rapidly removing all of the products.