briefly be explained on the basis of function sequences set out below here fig7 a to 11b show a function sequence of the illustrative embodiment according to fig4 whereas fig1 a to 16b show a function sequence of the illustrative embodiment according to fig6 in the drawings the figures designated by u201c a u201d each show a perspective view whereas the corresponding figures designated by u201c b u201d show a front view of the gripper device 112 or of parts thereof with the drawing plane perpendicular to the piercing plane for the description of the individual elements reference can largely be made to fig4 and 6 above in the illustrative embodiment in fig7 a to 11b the piercing direction 126 is perpendicular to the reel axis of the supply reel and or of the take up reel and perpendicular to an axis of the driving disk 174 of this driving disk 174 only the tensioning disk 178 is shown the gripper driving disk 176 having been omitted for reasons of clarity fig7 a and 7b show a situation in which a lancet 120 arrives in front of the gripper device 112 the front view according to fig7 b clearly shows the ramp 160 with which during insertion the third tongue 200 acting as counter gripper 164 is opened this opening procedure is shown in fig8 a and 8b in this situation the lancet 120 passes the counter gripper 164 and in so doing lifts the third tongue 200 to make it easier to lift the second tongue 198 during this insertion it is alternatively or additionally possible in this illustrative embodiment and also in other illustrative embodiments for the positioning element 148 in particular the holding down mechanism 150 to have a corresponding ramp 160 which may.