Dough punch and method of use

A method of creating a plurality of openings in a dough layer using an apparatus for creating the openings, the apparatus being constructed to rest on an underlying surface, the method comprising:

• (a) placing a dough layer on a base portion of the apparatus, the base portion having a plurality of holes extending therethrough in a fixed pattern;
• (b) pivoting a top portion of the apparatus toward the base portion, the top portion supporting a plurality of pins in a fixed pattern;
• and
• (c) receiving the plurality of pins in the plurality of holes, the pins passing into the dough layer to create a plurality of openings in the dough layer by separating waste dough bits from the dough layer, the dough bits passing through the plurality of holes and then being free to fall directly to the underlying surface on which the apparatus rests, wherein (b) and (c) occur in a single continuous motion.

An apparatus for producing a plurality of openings in a dough layer, the apparatus being constructed to rest on an underlying surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a top portion;
• a plurality of pins supported by the top portion, the plurality of pins being arranged in a fixed pattern;
• a base portion, the base portion defining a plurality of holes extending therethrough, the base portion holes being arranged in a fixed pattern corresponding to the fixed pattern of the plurality of pins supported by the top portion, the base portion being constructed to receive and support a dough layer over the plurality of holes, the base portion comprising at least one compressible foot and at least one standoff, the foot and standoff being constructed to support the base on an underlying surface;
• and
• structure, operably connected to at least the top portion, to lower the top portion from a raised position toward the base portion and into a lowered position, and to guide the pins of the top portion through the dough layer and into the holes of the base portion to create a plurality of openings in the dough layer;
• wherein moving the top portion to its lowered position compresses the foot and consequently causes the standoff to move into engagement with the underlying surface.

An apparatus for producing a plurality of openings in a dough layer, the apparatus comprising:

• a top portion;
• a plurality of pins supported by the top portion, the plurality of pins being arranged in a fixed pattern, the plurality of pins each being downwardly chamfered to a point, said point being offset to one edge of said pins to form a single bevel to aid in the dough-cutting process, said dough-cutting process commencing at said offset point of said pins and proceeding circumferentially around the bevel of each pin until waste dough bits are removed from the dough layer;
• a base portion, the base portion defining a plurality of holes extending therethrough, the base portion holes being arranged in a fixed pattern corresponding to the fixed pattern of the plurality of pins supported by the top portion, the base portion being constructed to receive and support a dough layer over the plurality of holes;
• and
• structure, operably connected to at least the top portion, to lower the top portion toward the base portion and to guide the pins of the top portion through the dough layer and then into the holes of the base portion to create a plurality of openings in the dough layer.

An apparatus for producing a plurality of openings in a dough layer, the apparatus being constructed to rest on an underlying surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a top portion;
• a plurality of pins supported by the top portion, the plurality of pins being arranged in a fixed pattern;
• a base portion, the base portion defining a plurality of holes extending therethrough, the base portion holes being arranged in a fixed pattern corresponding to the fixed pattern of the plurality of pins supported by the top portion, the base portion being constructed to receive and support a dough layer over the plurality of holes;
• and
• structure, operably connected to at least the top portion, to lower the top portion toward the base portion and to guide the pins of the top portion through the dough layer and then into the holes of the base portion to create a plurality of openings in the dough layer by separating waste dough bits from the dough layer, the dough bits passing through the plurality of holes and then being free to fall directly to the underlying surface on which the apparatus rests;
• wherein the pins each include an angled blade portion having a tip, the tip being constructed to first engage the dough layer at a single point on a circumferential side of the tip.

A method of creating a plurality of openings in a dough layer using an apparatus for creating the openings, the apparatus being constructed to rest on an underlying surface, the method comprising:

• (a) placing a dough layer on a base portion of the apparatus, the base portion having a plurality of holes extending therethrough in a fixed pattern;
• (b) lowering a top portion of the apparatus toward the base portion, the top portion supporting a plurality of pins in a fixed pattern;
• and
• (c) receiving the plurality of pins in the plurality of holes, the pins passing into the dough layer to create a plurality of openings in the dough layer by separating waste dough bits from the dough layer, the dough bits passing through the plurality of holes and then being free to fall directly to the underlying surface on which the apparatus rests;
• wherein (c) further includes:
• engaging the dough layer with each pin at a point on the outer circumference of the pin, and then
• penetrating the dough layer with the pin such that the area of contact between the pin and the dough layer moves across the beveled tip in the plane.