Patent ID: 7393160

Claim:
A rotary, multi-tooth milling cutter having a central cutter axis, said milling cutter comprising: a plurality of teeth, each comprising a lateral cutting edge being configured and disposed to be rotated about said central cutter axis and being configured to cut generally parallel thereto; said lateral cutting edge being configured and disposed to cut in a cutting direction along a circular cutting path centered at said central cutting axis; said lateral cutting edge being configured and disposed to define a non-zero relief angle disposed opposite said cutting direction between said cutting tool and said cutting path; said plurality of teeth each tooth comprising a first tooth face and a second tooth face; said first tooth face comprising a surface, said first tooth face surface being disposed to face away from the cutting direction; said second tooth face comprising a surface, said second tooth face surface being disposed to face toward the cutting direction; said second tooth face surface being disposed between said lateral cutting edge and said central cutter axis; said second tooth face surface comprising: at least a first section and a second section being disposed between said lateral cutting edge and said central cutter axis; said first section, being disposed to extend from said lateral cutting edge to said second section, comprising a continuously outwardly curved, convex shape being configured and disposed to bulge outwardly in a direction towards the cutting direction; and said second section comprising a continuously inwardly curved, concave shape being configured and disposed to extend inwardly in a direction away from the cutting the direction.