or lower nipper plate 7 and a front edge 37 of the top or upper nipper plate 11 and is combed out by a circular comb segment 20 at a circular comb roll or roller 21 mounted at the continuously rotating circular comb shaft 1 the lower nipper comprising the bottom or lower nipper frame 6 and the bottom or lower nipper plate 7 is then moved into an advanced end position depicted in fig2 in which position the nipper unit 40 is open the upper nipper arm or shaft member 12 is connected by means of a journal 22 to the lower end of a link or linkage element 23 the upper end of which is pivotably mounted at a shaft or shaft member 24 which is firmly secured to the machine frame not particularly shown in the drawings during the forward movement of the nipper unit 40 the links or linkage elements 23 lift the top or upper nipper arms or arm members 12 with the top or upper nipper plate 12 thereat into the open advanced end position depicted in fig2 in this manner the top or upper nipper arms or arm members 12 are pivoted as viewed in fig2 in clockwise direction relative to the bottom or lower nipper frame 6.