# US 2020/0060461 A1 · Emulational christmas tree branch and manufacturing process therefor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0060461 A1 - Document ID: US20200060461A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/349,906 - Filed: 2017-01-24 - Published: 2020-02-27 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-14 - Assignees: Shenzhen City Ming Jie Hao Technology Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Junjie MAI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200060461A1 ## CPC - A47G 33/06: Artificial Christmas trees - B29C 45/14336: {Coating a portion of the article, e.g. the edge of the article (B29C45/14573 and B29C45/14598 take precedence)} - B29C 45/14: incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles {(B29C45/1671 takes precedence)} - B29L 2031/7026: {Trees} - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - 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) - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract An artificial tree branch includes a tree branch body formed by injection molding a first material over an internal structural member of a second material. The tree branch body includes a main body portion having an elongated shape with a first end and a second end, and a plurality of sockets formed at various positions along the main body. Each socket is formed as an outward bulge from the main body portion, with the outward bulge defining a cavity to receive and retain artificial tree leaves. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-2. (canceled) ### Claim 3 An artificial tree branch, comprising: a tree branch body formed by injection molding a first material over an internal structural member of a second material, wherein the tree branch body includes: a main body portion having an elongated shape with a first end and a second end; and a plurality of sockets formed at various positions along the main body, each socket being formed as an outward bulge from the main body portion, the outward bulge defining a cavity to receive and retain artificial tree leaves. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The artificial tree branch of claim 3, wherein the internal structural member includes a protruding portion that protrudes from the first end of the tree branch body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The artificial tree branch of claim 4, wherein the protruding portion is includes a fastener. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The artificial tree branch of claim 5, wherein the fastener is a hook. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The artificial tree branch of claim 3, wherein the internal structural member comprises a wire. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The artificial tree branch of claim 3, wherein the second material is steel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The artificial tree branch of claim 3, wherein the tree branch body is formed by injection molding of the first material around the internal structural member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The artificial tree branch of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the tree branch body has a tree-bark texture formed therein. ### Claim 11 (depends on 3) The artificial tree branch of claim 3, wherein the cavity of each socket is formed around a removable pin that reserves the cavity during the injection molding. ### Claim 12 (depends on 3) The artificial tree branch of claim 3, wherein the elongated shape of the main body portion is generally straight. ### Claim 13 (depends on 3) The artificial tree branch of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of the artificial tree leaves. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The artificial tree branch of claim 13, wherein the plurality of the artificial tree leaves are evergreen tree tips. ### Claim 15 A holiday decoration comprising: a plurality of mechanically-coupled artificial tree branches, each artificial tree branch including a tree branch body formed by injection molding a first material over an internal structural member of a second material, wherein the tree branch body includes: a main body portion having an elongated shape with a first end and a second end; and a plurality of sockets formed at various positions along the main body, each socket being formed as an outward bulge from the main body portion, the outward bulge defining a cavity to receive and retain artificial tree leaves. ### Claim 16 A method for manufacturing an artificial tree branch, the method comprising: providing an injection-molding machine including a mold having an interior surface corresponding to an exterior surface of the artificial tree branch; placing a plurality of pins at various positions in the interior of the mold; softening a moldable first material; arranging a structural member of a second material in an interior of the mold; after arranging the structural member, injecting the softened first material into the mold to cover at least a portion of the structural member to form a main body portion having an elongated shape with a first end and a second end, and a plurality of sockets at various positions along the main body corresponding to the various positions of the plurality of pins, each socket being formed as an outward bulge from the main body portion with a cavity reserved by a corresponding one of the plurality of pins; after the injecting, reducing a temperature of the first material in the interior of the mold and removing the formed main body portion; and removing any remaining pins from the sockets. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the structural member includes a protruding portion that protrudes from the first end of the tree branch body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the protruding portion includes a fastener. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the fastener is a hook. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the internal structural member comprises a wire. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the interior of the mold includes a tree-bark texture to produce a tree-bark texture on at least a portion of an exterior of the main body portion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the elongated shape of the main body portion is generally straight.