# US 2020/0399824 A1 · 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 2020/0399824 A1
- Document ID: US20200399824A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/904,520
- Filed: 2020-06-17
- Published: 2020-12-24
- 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/US20200399824A1

## 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 method for preparing a durable sheet material comprising fungal biomass, comprising:
(a) causing a solution to infiltrate an inactivated fungal biomass, the solution comprising a solvent and a component selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a crosslinker, and combinations and mixtures thereof; and
(b) curing the biomass to remove solvent from the biomass and form the durable sheet material.

### Claim at position 2

2-14. (canceled)

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the solution comprises a polymer, wherein at least one of the following is true:
(i) the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, chitosan, polyethylene glycol, alginates, starches, polycaprolactones, polyacrylic acids, hyaluronic acid, and combinations thereof; and
(ii) the polymer is present in the durable sheet material in an amount selected from the group consisting of no more than about 25 wt % of the durable sheet material, no more than about 20 wt % of the durable sheet material, no more than about 15 wt % of the durable sheet material, no more than about 10 wt % of the durable sheet material, and no more than about 5 wt % of the durable sheet material.

### Claim 16

(canceled)

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the solution comprises a crosslinker selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tannic acid, suberic acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, extracted vegetable tannins, glyoxal, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the solution further comprises a plasticizer.

### Claim 19

(canceled)

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the fungal biomass comprises at least one of the following:
(i) a filamentous fungus belonging to an order selected from the group consisting of Ustilaginales, Russulales, Agaricales, Pezizales, and Hypocreales;
(ii) a 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, and Cordycipitaceae;
(iii) a 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, and Ustilago; and
(iv) a 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 rugosocannulata, Hypholoma lateritum, Pleurotus eryngii, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus ostreatus var columbimis, Tuber orchii, Morchella esculenta, Morchella conica, Morchella importuna, Sparassis crispa, Fusarium venenatum, MK7 ATCC Accession Deposit No. PTA-10698, Disciotis venosa, and Cordyceps militaris.

### Claim at position 9

21-23. (canceled)

### Claim 24 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the solution further comprises at least one of a pigment, a solubilizer, and a pH adjusting agent.

### Claim at position 11

25-27. (canceled)

### Claim 28 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of (i) adding a thermal dopant to the inactivated fungal biomass and (ii) adding a thermal dopant to the durable sheet material after step (b).

### Claim at position 13

29-35. (canceled)

### Claim 36

A textile composition, comprising:
an inactivated fungal biomass; and
at least one component selected from the group consisting of a plasticizer, a polymer, a crosslinker, and a dye,
wherein the at least one component is distributed in the fungal mycelial biomass.

### Claim 37 (depends on 36)

The textile composition of claim 36, having at least one of the following:
(i) a thickness of at least about 1 mm;
(ii) a tear force of at least about 30 N;
(iii) a tear strength of at least about 10 N/mm;
(iv) a flexural rigidity of no more than about 5 gram-centimeters;
(v) a tensile strength of at least about 10 MPa;
(vi) a water spotting grey scale rating of at least about 3;
(vii) a light color fastness blue wool rating of at least about 4;
(viii) a rub color fastness grey scale rating, when dry, of at least about 3; and
(ix) a rub color fastness grey scale rating, when wet, of at least about 2.

### Claim at position 16

38-45. (canceled)

### Claim 46 (depends on 36)

The textile composition of claim 36, further comprising at least one backing layer of a non-fungal textile material.

### Claim 47

(canceled)

### Claim 48 (depends on 36)

The textile composition of claim 36, further comprising a thermal dopant.

### Claim at position 20

49-51. (canceled)

### Claim 52 (depends on 36)

An article of manufacture, comprising the textile composition of claim 36, wherein the article of manufacture is selected from the group consisting of an article of clothing, an accessory item, and a furniture item.

### Claim 53

A method for making a durable sheet material, comprising:
(a) contacting an inactivated fungal biomass with an aqueous solution comprising calcium hydroxide to form a limed inactivated fungal biomass;
(b) contacting the limed inactivated fungal biomass with an aqueous solution comprising ammonium sulfate to form a delimed inactivated fungal biomass;
(c) contacting the delimed inactivated fungal biomass with an aqueous solution comprising a polymer to form a pickled inactivated fungal biomass;
(d) contacting the pickled inactivated fungal biomass with an aqueous solution comprising a crosslinker to form a tanned inactivated fungal biomass;
(e) contacting the tanned inactivated fungal biomass with an aqueous solution comprising a plasticizer to form a plasticized inactivated fungal biomass;
(f) drying the plasticized inactivated fungal biomass to form a dried inactivated fungal biomass; and
(g) heat-pressing the dried inactivated fungal biomass to form the durable sheet material.

### Claim at position 23

54-57. (canceled)

### Claim 58 (depends on 53)

The method of claim 53, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, chitosan, polyethylene glycol, alginates, starches, polycaprolactones, polyacrylic acids, hyaluronic acid, and combinations and mixtures thereof.

### Claim at position 25

59-61. (canceled)

### Claim 62 (depends on 53)

The method of claim 53, wherein the crosslinker is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tannic acid, suberic acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, extracted vegetable tannins, glyoxal, and combinations and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 63 (depends on 53)

The method of claim 53, wherein the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of glycerol and esters thereof, polyethylene glycol, citric acid, oleic acid, oleic acid polyols and esters thereof, epoxidized triglyceride vegetable oils, castor oil, pentaerythritol, fatty acid esters, carboxylic ester-based plasticizers, trimellitates, adipates, sebacates, maleates, biological plasticizers, and combinations and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 64

A method for making a durable sheet material, comprising:
(a) inactivating a fungal biomass by boiling the biomass in water;
(b) contacting the inactivated fungal biomass with an aqueous solution comprising calcium hydroxide to form a limed inactivated fungal biomass;
(c) contacting the limed inactivated fungal biomass with an aqueous solution comprising ammonium sulfate to form a delimed inactivated fungal biomass;
(d) contacting the delimed inactivated fungal biomass with an aqueous solution comprising an alkali metal halide to form a pickled inactivated fungal biomass;
(e) contacting the pickled inactivated fungal biomass with a first crosslinker to form a tanned inactivated fungal biomass;
(f) contacting the tanned inactivated fungal biomass with an aqueous solution comprising at least one of a second crosslinker and a polymer to form a re-tanned inactivated fungal biomass;
(g) contacting the re-tanned inactivated fungal biomass with a fatliquoring oil to form a fatliquored inactivated fungal biomass;
(h) adhering a non-fungal textile backing to the inactivated fungal biomass to form a backed inactivated fungal biomass;
(i) heat-pressing the backed inactivated fungal biomass to form a heat-pressed inactivated fungal biomass;
(j) drying the heat-pressed inactivated fungal biomass to form a dried inactivated fungal biomass; and
(k) applying at least one of a finishing wax, a finishing oil, and nitrocellulose to the dried inactivated fungal biomass to form the durable sheet material.

### Claim at position 29

65-68. (canceled)

### Claim 69 (depends on 64)

The method of claim 64, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, chitosan, polyethylene glycol, alginates, starches, polycaprolactones, polyacrylic acids, hyaluronic acid, and combinations and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 70

(canceled)

### Claim 73 (depends on 64)

The method of claim 64, wherein the first crosslinker comprises an aluminum salt, a chromium salt, a titanium salt, an aldehyde, or a combination or mixture thereof.

### Claim 74

(canceled)

### Claim 75 (depends on 64)

The method of claim 64, wherein the second crosslinker is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tannic acid, suberic acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, extracted vegetable tannins, glyoxal, and combinations and mixtures thereof.

### Claim at position 35

76-77. (canceled)

### Claim 78 (depends on 64)

The method of claim 64, wherein the fatliquoring oil is selected from the group consisting of sulfated castor oil, beeswax, coconut oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, linseed oil, oleic acid, and combinations and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 79

(canceled)

### Claim 80 (depends on 64)

The method of claim 64, wherein the finishing wax is selected from the group consisting of carnauba wax, candelilla wax, and combinations and mixtures thereof.