| 摘要 |
A molding apparatus. The apparatus includes a preformer for supplying a predetermined amount of molten material and an asymmetrical core for receiving the molten material. The asymmetrical core includes a first cavity and a second, female cavity, wherein the depth ratio of the second cavity to the first cavity is greater than about 4. A movable bottom plate in the second cavity varies the depth ratio of the second cavity. A pressure differential system is connected to the asymmetrical core for forming the molten material inside the asymmetrical core. The apparatus of the present invention is particularly well suited for forming a blow molded float for a floating dock system. In the preferred embodiment, the floating dock system includes a docking surface and at least one blow molded float. The blow molded float preferably has at least four sides; a thickened top mounting surface; and a bottom joined to the thickened top mounting surface by the sides. The sides, the bottom and thickened top mounting surface form an internal cavity. Also, in the preferred embodiment, at least one of the sidewalls is substantially taper-free and an interlocking coupling for joining a plurality of adjacent blow molded floats to one another. Preferably, the interlocking coupling is a tongue-in-groove system and each of the blow molded floats includes the tongue-in-groove system to allow a plurality of blow molded floats to be interconnected to one another. Specifically, a first side of one of the blow molded floats includes a male tongue portion, the male portion being mateable with an opposing female groove disposed on one of the sides of an adjacent blow molded float. Because the present invention permits the sidewalls to be formed substantially taper-free, the male tongue portion and the opposing female groove are substantially taper free which otherwise would be unworkable.
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