42 is stopped in this arrangement the fibre layer 3 is continuously maintained between the nip lines m and n and from the nip line n to the lap 4 now the lap or package 4 is to be exchanged against a new empty tube 5 and that the fibre layer 3 is to be severed in this process for this purpose the valves 52 and 38 are activated simultaneously or one shortly after the other such that the brake 50 is activated and that the roll tandem 26 is moved from its lower position a into its upper position b indicated with broken lines as the roll tandem 26 is moved over the distance l while the roll 9 is braked the drive roll 21 and the deflecting roll 23 effect a clockwise rotation which causes rotation of the rolls 11 12 in the sense of transporting the fibre layer 3 from the left hand side to the right hand side since the rolls 9 10 are at a standstill the fibre layer 3 is severed between the nip lines m and n by drafting it apart which is the object of the invention between the path of movement or displacement path l of the roll tandem 26 the diameter d of the drive roll 21 of the driven roll 11 of the pair of rolls 11 12 which is further rotated the diameter d of the driven roll 11 and the maximum staple lengths of the fibre layer 3 there preferably prevails the following relation maintenance of this relation ensures that the movement of the fibre.