A dispenser is configured for use with a chain of rupturably connected elastic bands, each of the bands having an aperture. The dispenser includes a fixed convex surface and a stop element. The chain of bands is configured to be drawn over the fixed convex surface in a direction from a first side to a second side of the surface. The stop element is positioned proximate the second side of the surface and is configured for insertion into the aperture of one of the elastic bands. In another aspect, an assembly is configured for use with a chain of rupturably connected elastic bands. The chain is provided on a spool, and each of the bands has an aperture therethrough. The assembly includes a dispenser and a shaft configured to support the spool. A method is described for dispensing elastic bands from a chain of rupturably connected elastic bands.