Abstract: The present invention provides a device with a protected grasping member for separating a flexible porous membrane from a stack of flexible porous membranes. The device includes a housing with a bore extending from one end of the housing and terminating at a cavity located at the mid portion of the housing; a stem reciprocatingly disposed in the bore and extending into the cavity; and a grasping member attached to an end portion of the stem for engaging the membrane.