Abstract: A freely-rotatable fluted roll compressively engages the sliver projecting upwardly from a sliver can as such can is doffed from a textile sliver coiling apparatus. The roll exerts compressive and snubbing forces upon the sliver strand extending between the sliver can and the coiler head of the apparatus, causing separation of such strand during and in response to the can changing movement of the can away from the coiler head. Also disclosed are a preferred design of, and a preferred mounting arrangement for a sliver-separating roll usable for the foregoing purpose.