Pez dispensers are made with several different parts. Over the years, even these parts have gone through a variety of change. Take a look at how to identify the various parts of a Pez dispenser:

The head is the "character" of the dispenser. It could be an object (truck, whistle, cap, etc), or a character (Mickey, Tigger, Batman, etc), or even an animal (monkey, giraffe, dinosaur, etc). There's almost no end to what could be positioned as a head on a Pez dispenser. (Just look at "Fantasy" Pez items.)

The stem is the "body", or main portion, of the dispenser. It is rectangular in shape and has the word "PEZ" on both sides. One side features lettering spelled from top to bottom, while the other displays lettering sideways from bottom to top. The stem is also where you'll locate the patent number, country of origin, and (IMC) injection mold code.

The feet are the "base" of the dispenser. They are a flat plastic piece molded onto the bottom of the stem and resemble 'shoes'. The main purpose of the feet is to support the stability of the dispenser while "standing". (They help it not fall over.) Originally, Pez dispensers did not have feet. They were simply "squarred off" on the bottom, and are called (NF) non-footed. Many collectors will have thier non-footed Pez fitted with "Pez Shoes". These are blocks of plastic molded to fit around the base of the stem. There are now many colors to choose from, and it should be noted that they are not "licensed" items from Pez Co. The first style of feet used on a Pez stem had a thin profile, and are called "Thin Feet". Around 1990, Pez started molding the feet with a thicker profile, these are called "Thick Feet".

{Many collectors will have thier non-footed Pez fitted with "Pez Shoes". These are blocks of plastic molded to fit around the base of the stem. There are now many colors to choose from, and it should be noted that they are not "licensed" items from Pez Co.}

The Candy Pusher is a "finger" that is molded onto the back of the head. It is what pushes the candy forward when you tilt the head backwards. There is also a small flat surface on the inner side of the pusher that sits against a "head spring". The spring pressing against this "ledge", or flat surface, is what keeps the head "spring loaded" while in a closed position. (no floppy head when turned upsidedown)

As earlier mentioned, there is a spring in all Pez heads that causes the head to automatically "snap" back forward after it has been tilted back. On older dispensers, this spring was a wire spring that looked like a "coil" with each end straightened out. The wire head spring was held in place to the inner sleeve by either the steel hinge pin passing through the center of the coil, or by fitting in a pocket that was molded into the top of the inner sleeve. (Inner sleeves and hinge pins will be discussed a little farther down.)

On newer dispensers, the older wire head spring was replaced with a plastic blade leaf spring that is molded right onto the top of the inner sleeve. The first version of this style of srping was a single leaf design. With use, the single leaf springs would often weaken and fail to keep the head tight in a closed position. (floppy head) To fix this problem, a multiple leaf design was incorporated. By having four leafs instead of one, the plastic spring is much stronger and is able to perform better over extended periods of time.

The Inner Sleeve acts as a candy "tray" or "channel" for the actual Pez Candy. It is attatched to the head with a metal or plastic hinge pin and goes inside of the stem. It has been produced in many colors and styles over the years.

The Candy Button is a rectangular or oval shaped piece that sits inside of the inner sleeve. On the front and back ends of the button, there is a tab that fits inside of the groove or rib in the front and back ends of the stem. The candy button acts like a spring loaded elevator that pushes the candy towards the top of the stem. The tab on the back of the button rides in the back of the inner sleeve, and hooks into the back groove of the stem. The front tab hooks directly into the front stem groove.

The Inner Sleeve Spring is the spring that goes in-between the candy button and the bottom of the inner sleeve. The top of the spring fits into the hollow bottom of the candy button. This spring is what pushes the candy button up, and forces the Pez candy towards the head.

On older Pez dispensers, the head was attached to the inner sleeve by a steel pin. It went completely through from one side of the head to the other. This pin allowed the head to hinge on the inner sleeve.

On newer dispensers, the had is attached to the inner sleeve by two plastic pins (knobs) located on each outer side at the top of the inner sleeve. This allows for the head to hinge (pivot) on the inner sleeve. Unlike the steel pin that went all the way through the inner sleeve and head, the plastic pins allow the head to "pop" onto the inner sleeve, and hold it in place.

Cheeks are a variation in the mold design of a head. The "Cheeks" refer to the area on each side of the back of the head, where the head hinge is located. There are two types: Partial and Full. Full cheeks is when the back of the head is still full and thick. Usually, the plastic hinge pins will be under the thicker plastic in this area. On the partial cheeks, the plastic on the back of the head is thinned out, and looks like a ledge is cut out of the head on each side. With partial cheeks, the plastic hinge pins are easily visible.

On many of the "human series" dispensers, there is a neat color variation of the plastic for the molded head. The "normal" color for the plastic used in the head is a flesh-tone. But, the same heads can also be found molded in a yellowish-brown color, giving them a 'sun tanned' appearance. This head color variation is commonly called a "Club Med" head, referring to the famous health spa where the rich and famous to to sunbathe and get fit.

A very special THANKS go to Todd & Misty McAllister for the use of their photos and information and copy. For even MORE detailed information, Click Here to go to their McPez site!