Patent ID: 6846172

Claim:
An apparatus for embossing a web material, comprising: (a) a first embossing roll having a first embossing pattern engraved on at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the first roll, the first embossing pattern comprising protrusions and recessions; and (b) a second embossing roll having a second embossing pattern engraved on at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the second embossing roll, the second embossing pattern comprising protrusions and recessions, wherein the protrusions of the first embossing pattern of the first embossing roll become inter-engaged at a radial depth of engagement with the corresponding recessions of the second embossing pattern of the second embossing roll such that at least 99.7% of the inter-engaged protrusions and recessions are separated from each other by a sidewall clearance ranging from about 0.002″ (about 0.050 mm) to about 0.050″ (about 1.27 mm).