Abstract: A device for separating whole blood into blood components having a collecting container for collecting whole blood, a primary container, and one or a plurality of satellite containers downstream from the primary container. The collecting container is connected to the primary container via a branch line containing a leucocyte filter. In addition, provision is made for a bypass line between the collecting container and the primary container for creating a fluid connection, circumventing the filter. The primary container is, furthermore, connected, via an additive line, to an additive container containing an additive agent for storing a blood component. For extracting leucocyte-free erythrocyte concentrate, the donor's whole blood, collected in the collecting container is first conveyed, via the bypass line into the primary container. The whole blood located in the primary container is then separated by centrifuging into an erythrocyte layer and a mixed layer of blood plasma and thrombocytes.