# US 11,952,713 B2 · Fungal textile materials and leather analogs > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,952,713 B2 - Document ID: US11952713B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/137,870 - Filed: 2023-04-21 - Published: 2023-08-17 - Granted: 2024-04-09 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-18 - Assignees: The Fynder Group, Inc. - Applicants: The Fynder Group, Inc. - Inventors: Brendan Allen Stewart; Larry Andrew Alegria; Ryan Jacob Totman; Yuval Charles Avniel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11952713B2 ## CPC - D06M 15/03: Polysaccharides or derivatives thereof - D06N 3/0015: {using fibres of specified chemical or physical nature, e.g. natural silk} - A41B 11/00: Hosiery; Panti-hose (elastic stockings for curative purposes A61F13/08) - B01D 11/0203: {with a supercritical fluid} - B29C 70/06: Fibrous reinforcements only - B29C 70/42: for producing articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles - C08J 5/24: Impregnating materials with prepolymers which can be polymerised in situ, e.g. manufacture of prepregs - C08J 5/245: {using natural fibres} - C08J 5/249: {characterised by the additives used in the prepolymer mixture} - C08L 5/08: Chitin; Chondroitin sulfate; Hyaluronic acid; Derivatives thereof - C08L 99/00: Compositions of natural macromolecular compounds or of derivatives thereof not provided for in groups C08L89/00 - C08L97/00 - C12N 1/14: Fungi (culture of mushrooms A01G18/00; as new plants A01H15/00); Culture media therefor - D04H 1/42: characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece - D04H 1/4266: Natural fibres not provided for in group D04H1/425 - D04H 1/732: by fluid current, e.g. air-lay - D06M 13/148: Polyalcohols, e.g. glycerol {or glucose} - D06M 15/263: of unsaturated carboxylic acids; Salts or esters thereof - D06M 15/53: Polyethers (polyacetals D06M15/39) - D06M 23/00: Treatment of fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, characterised by the process - D06N 3/00: Artificial leather, oilcloth or {other} material obtained by covering fibrous webs with macromolecular material, e.g. resins, rubber or derivatives thereof - D06N 3/0013: {using multilayer webs} - B29K 2105/0038: {Plasticisers} - B29K 2105/0872: {Prepregs} - B29K 2311/00: Use of natural products or their composites, not provided for in groups B29K2201/00 - B29K2309/00, as reinforcement - C08J 2399/00: Characterised by the use of natural macromolecular compounds or of derivatives thereof not provided for in groups C08J2301/00 - C08J2307/00 or C08J2389/00 - C08J2397/00 - C08J 2405/08: Chitin; Chondroitin sulfate; Hyaluronic acid; Derivatives thereof - C08J 2429/04: Polyvinyl alcohol; Partially hydrolysed homopolymers or copolymers of esters of unsaturated alcohols with saturated carboxylic acids - C08J 2431/04: Homopolymers or copolymers of vinyl acetate - C08L 2205/06: having improved processability or containing aids for moulding methods - C08L 2312/00: Crosslinking - D06M 15/333: of vinyl acetate; Polyvinylalcohol - D06N 2211/28: Artificial leather - D06M: TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS - D06N: WALL, FLOOR, OR LIKE COVERING MATERIALS, e.g. LINOLEUM, OILCLOTH, ARTIFICIAL LEATHER, ROOFING FELT, CONSISTING OF A FIBROUS WEB COATED WITH A LAYER OF MACROMOLECULAR MATERIAL; FLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIAL NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - A41B: SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - C08J: WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H (working, e.g. shaping, of plastics B29) - C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06) - C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00) - D04H: MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL (weaving D03; knitting D04B; braiding D04C; net-making D04G; sewing D05B; tufting D05C; finishing non-woven fabrics D06); FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING {; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION}(non-woven fabrics having an intermediate or external layer of a different kind, e.g. of woven fabric, B32B) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS ## Abstract Textile compositions comprising at least one filamentous fungus are disclosed, as are methods for making and using such textile compositions. Embodiments of the textile compositions generally include at least one of a plasticizer, a polymer, and a crosslinker, in addition to the filamentous fungus. The disclosed textile compositions are particularly useful as analogs or substitutes for conventional textile compositions, including but not limited to leather. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A textile composition, comprising: an inactivated fungal mycelial biomass; a non-fungal textile backing; a polymer; and a plasticizer; wherein: the polymer comprises a biopolymer, the polymer is infiltrated into the inactivated fungal biomass to a fungal biomass:polymer loading ratio of about 25:75 to about 75:25, and the textile composition has a tensile strength of at least about 2 MPa. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The textile composition of claim 1, wherein the inactivated fungal mycelial biomass is present in an amount of about 20 wt % to about 40 wt %. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The textile composition of claim 1, wherein the inactivated fungal mycelial biomass is produced from a biomass that comprises a cohesive fungal biomass. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The textile composition of claim 3, wherein the cohesive fungal biomass is produced by a solid substrate fermentation process. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The textile composition of claim 3, wherein the cohesive fungal biomass is produced by a surface fermentation process or by a submerged solid surface fermentation process. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The textile composition of claim 1, wherein inactivated fungal mycelial biomass is produced from a biomass that comprises a fungal paste. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The textile composition of claim 1, wherein the inactivated fungal mycelial biomass comprises at least one filamentous fungus belonging to an order selected from the group consisting of Ustilaginales, Russulales, Agaricales, Pezizales, Hypocreales, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The textile composition of claim 1, wherein the inactivated fungal mycelial biomass comprises at least one filamentous fungus belonging to a family selected from the group consisting of Ustilaginaceae, Hericiaceae, Polyporaceae, Grifolaceae, Lyophyllaceae, Strophariaceae, Lycoperdaceae, Agaricaceae, Pleurotaceae, Physalacriaceae, Omphalotaceae, Tuberaceae, Morchellaceae, Sparassidaceae, Nectriaceae, Cordycipitaceae, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The textile composition of claim 1, wherein the inactivated fungal mycelial biomass comprises at least one filamentous fungus belonging to a genus selected from the group consisting of Agaricus, Calocybe, Calvatia, Cordyceps, Disciotis, Fomes, Fusarium, Ganoderma, Grifola, Hericulum, Hypholoma, Hypsizygus, Morchella, Pholiota, Pleurotus, Polyporous, Sparassis, Stropharia, Tuber, Ustilago, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The textile composition of claim 1, wherein the inactivated fungal mycelial biomass comprises at least one filamentous fungus selected from the group consisting of Ustilago esculenta, Hericulum erinaceus, Polyporous squamosus, Grifola fondosa, Hypsizygus marmoreus, Hypsizygus ulmarius, Calocybe gambosa, Pholiota nameko, Calvatia gigantea, Agaricus bisporus, Stropharia rugosoannulata, Hypholoma lateritium, Pleurotus eryngii, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus ostreatus var. columbines, Tuber borchii, Morchella esculenta, Morchella conica, Morchella importuna, Sparassis crispa, Fusarium venenatum, MK7 (ATCC Accession Deposit No. PTA-10698), Disciotis venosa, Cordyceps militaris, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The textile composition of claim 1, wherein the polymer is present in an amount of about 20 wt % to about 40 wt %. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The textile composition of claim 1, wherein the biopolymer is selected from the group consisting of cellulose, chitin, chitosan, collagen, fibroin, hyaluronic acid, keratin, alginates, starches, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The textile composition of claim 1, wherein the polymer further comprises a synthetic polymer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The textile composition of claim 13, wherein the synthetic polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyethylene glycol, a polycaprolactone, a polyacrylic acid, hyaluronic acid, a polysiloxane, a polyphosphazene, a low-and/or high-density polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyvinyl chloride, a polystyrene, a nylon, a polytetrafluoroethylene, a thermoplastic polyurethane, a polychlorotrifluoroethylene, a polycaprolactone, a polyacrylic acid, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The textile composition of claim 13, wherein the synthetic polymer is polyvinyl alcohol. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The textile composition of claim 1, wherein the plasticizer is present in an amount of about 30 wt % to about 50 wt %. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The textile composition of claim 1, wherein the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, esters of glycerol, polyethylene glycol, citric acid, oleic acid, oleic acid polyols and esters thereof, mannitol, sorbitol, epoxidized triglyceride vegetable oils, castor oil, sulfated castor oil, beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil, linseed oil, oleic acid, sulfated fish oil, sulfated canola oil, soybean oil, palm oil, fatty acids, pentaerythritol, fatty acid esters, carboxylic ester-based plasticizers, trimellitates, adipates, sebacates, maleates, biological plasticizers, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The textile composition of claim 16, wherein the plasticizer is glycerol. ### Claim 19 A textile composition, comprising: 20 wt % to 40 wt % of an inactivated, size-reduced fungal mycelial biomass; 20 wt % to 40 wt % of a polymer comprising a biopolymer; 30 wt % to 50 wt % of a plasticizer; and a non-fungal textile backing; wherein the textile composition has a tensile strength of at least about 2 MPa. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The textile composition of claim 19, wherein: the inactivated size-reduced fungal mycelial biomass comprises MK7 (ATCC Accession Deposit No. PTA 10698); the polymer comprises a biopolymer and polyvinyl alcohol; and the plasticizer comprises glycerol. ### Claim 21 A textile composition, comprising: an inactivated fungal biomass; a plasticizer; and a non-fungal textile backing; wherein: the plasticizer is distributed throughout the fungal biomass, and the textile composition has a tensile strength of at least about 4.5 MPa and a thickness of about 0.5 mm to about 30 mm. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The textile composition of claim 21, further comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a crosslinker, and a dye, wherein the at least one component is distributed throughout the fungal biomass. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The textile composition of claim 21, wherein the thickness is about 0.5 mm to about 2.8 mm. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The textile composition of claim 21, wherein the non-fungal textile backing is selected from the group consisting of an acrylic textile, an alpaca textile, an angora textile, a cashmere textile, a coir textile, a cotton textile, an eisengarn textile, a hemp textile, a jute textile, a Kevlar textile, a linen textile, a microfiber textile, a mohair textile, a nylon textile, an olefin textile, a pashmina textile, a polyester textile, a piña textile, a ramie textile, a rayon textile, a sea silk textile, a silk textile, a sisal textile, a spandex textile, a spider silk textile, a wool textile, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 25 A composite fungal sheet, comprising an inactivated fungal biomass and a non-fungal textile material, wherein: the inactivated fungal biomass comprises a synthetic polymer; the inactivated fungal biomass and the non-fungal textile material are laminated together; and the synthetic polymer in the inactivated fungal biomass has a loading ratio of at least about 25:75 and no more than about 75:25. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The composite fungal sheet of claim 25, wherein the inactivated fungal biomass comprises an intact filamentous fungal biomat, size-reduced filamentous fungal particles, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The composite fungal sheet of claim 25, wherein at least a portion of the inactivated fungal biomass is produced by a surface fermentation process, a submerged fermentation process, or a process for mycological biopolymer growth into a void space. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The composite fungal sheet of claim 25, wherein the synthetic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, chitosan, polyethylene glycol, alginates, starches, polycaprolactones, polyacrylic acids, hyaluronic acid, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The composite fungal sheet of claim 25, further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal halide, a crosslinker, a deliming agent, a dye, a fatliquoring oil, a finishing oil, a finishing wax, a liming agent, nitrocellulose, a pH adjusting agent, a pickling agent, a pigment, a plasticizer, a solubilizer, a surfactant, a tanning agent, and a thermal dopant. ### Claim 30 (depends on 25) The composite fungal sheet of claim 25, wherein the non-fungal textile material is selected from the group consisting of an acrylic textile, an alpaca textile, an angora textile, a cashmere textile, a coir textile, a cotton textile, an eisengarn textile, a hemp textile, a jute textile, a Kevlar textile, a linen textile, a microfiber textile, a mohair textile, a nylon textile, an olefin textile, a pashmina textile, a polyester textile, a piña textile, a ramie textile, a rayon textile, a sea silk textile, a silk textile, a sisal textile, a spandex textile, a spider silk textile, a wool textile, and combinations thereof.