Emulational christmas tree branch and manufacturing process therefor

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;
• a fastener proximate the first end, the fastener adapted to attach the artificial tree branch to a tree;
• 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.

An artificial tree 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;
• a fastener proximate the first end, the fastener adapted to attach the artificial tree branch to a trunk of the tree;
• 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.

A method for manufacturing an artificial tree branch, the method comprising:

• placing a plurality of pins at various positions in the interior of a mold having an interior surface corresponding to an exterior surface of the artificial tree branch;
• 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, a fastener proximate the first 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.