portions of the clothings 3 2 and 3 4 in the lower converging bight of the licker ins 3 a and 3 b that is in the bight which closes as the licker ins 3 a and 3 b rotate in the direction 3 1 and 3 3 toward the nip respectively a cover element 21 is provided which substantially fills and thus closes the area of the converging bight the cover element 21 may be for example an extruded member in the upper diverging bight that is in the bight which opens as the licker ins 3 a and 3 b rotate in the direction 3 1 and 3 3 away from the nip respectively a mote knife 22 is positioned whose severing edge 22 a is oriented against the rotary direction 3 3 of the licker in 3 b and is spaced from the clothing 3 4 at a distance a shown in fig5 adjustable by a setscrew 25 also in the diverging bight between the licker ins 3 a and 3 b a curved cover element 23 is provided which has a free end 23 a the cover element 23 covers one part of the licker in 3 a the cover element 23 is in a manner not illustrated shiftable concentrically to the cylindrical outer face of the licker in.