Funpals
 | |
| Product type | Children's underwear |
|---|---|
| Owner | Fruit of the Loom |
| Country | USA |
| Introduced | April 2, 1985 |
| Related brands | FunGals |
| Markets | Worldwide |
| Tagline | WOW! I've got the neatest pals behind me! (1980s) |
| Website | Official website |
Funpals are a children's underwear name brand that was established in 1985 in order to compete with Underoos.[1] Its trademark was renewed on March 17, 2005 by Mr. William R. Hansen, trademark correspondent.[1]
Summary
Instead of merely having the cartoon or movie's logo, Funpals uses the characters from the movie or television show on the underpant. Example of characters used in Funpals are Jurassic Park,[2] Bob the Builder,[2] Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,[2] Spider-Man,[2] Batman (based on the general concept of the DC Comics superhero),[2] Superman,[2][3] Batman Begins (based on the 2005 American motion picture), Angry Birds,[4] and Pokémon.[2] In order to trim costs and improve profitability, all Funpals undergarments intended for sale in the Americas are manufactured in Latin American countries.[5] Other places that manufacture Funpals briefs include Canada, Europe, and North Africa.
Funpals come in the traditional briefs format only although modern boxer briefs for children have been inspired by both the more recent Underoos designs.[4] Sizing for Funpals traditionally start at a "boys' small" (size 4) and ends at a "boys' large" or "boys' extra large." Occasionally, some designs reach the maximum size at a "boys' triple-extra large" (equivalent to a men's medium or a size 32). These are designed for obese boys rather than adolescent males and adult men due to their juvenile design. While a petition was made to expand the Funpals line into sizes worn by adult males (and into designs based on adult male-oriented licensed properties), it has been unsuccessful.[6]
The female equivalent of Funpals are called FunGals; they come in fun designs like Dragon Tales,[2] Bob the Builder (using the female characters),[2] and Pokémon[2] while carrying the traditional design of adult female panties. Fruit of the Loom manufactures Funpals underwear[1] while Hanes manufactures Showtoons which directly competes with both Funpals and FunGals. Unlike Showtoons, Funpals shows its design with a giant print on the center of the undergarment.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Funpals establishment date/ownership information". Trademarkia. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 "Characters on Funpals/FunGals underwear". Good Experience. 2004. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
- ↑ "Funpals Underoos Underwear 1986 Commercial". YouTube. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Types of underwear". Fruit of the Loom. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
- ↑ "Manufacturing information". Hoover's United Kingdom. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
- ↑ "Petition for Men's Funpals". Mister Poll. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ↑ "More characters on Funpals". Juvenile Clothing. Retrieved 2008-12-25.
