A method for handling articles, such as packs, piece goods, or the like, by means of an apparatus, comprising: - an upper suspension, to which at least three rotatably driven positioning arms are fastened, wherein the at least three positioning arms are each made up of at least two arm sections (7, 9), which are swivelable relative to one another and can be operated independently of one another, - a manipulator, which comprises one or more means for gripping the articles, and which is mechanically coupled to the at least three positioning arms such that a position of the manipulator can be specified by a movement of one or more of the at least three positioning arms, and comprising - a linear guide in contact with the manipulator and the suspension, each by way of a cardanic-type joint, wherein the linear guide is designed as rotatable or first shaft, which is non-rotatingly connected to the manipulator, and wherein the manipulator is rotated together with the shaft by a rotational movement of the first shaft, and - at least one actuating device designed as second shaft, which passes through the linear guide, and by way of which the one or more means can be controlled for the temporary gripping and releasing of articles, wherein - the actuating device designed as second shaft is rotated relative to the linear guide in order to control the one or more means, wherein, upon a rotation of the first shaft non-rotatingly connected to the rotatable manipulator, the second shaft performs either a rotation in the same direction or synchronous with the first shaft or a compensatory rotation or counter rotation thereto, based on a status of the means for the temporary gripping and releasing of articles, characterised in that a rotation of the first shaft, which rotates the manipulator, causes a compensatory rotation or counter rotation of the second shaft in order to maintain the actuation of or in order to release the means for the temporary gripping and releasing of the articles. - an upper suspension, to which at least three rotatably driven positioning arms are fastened, wherein the at least three positioning arms are each made up of at least two arm sections (7, 9), which are swivelable relative to one another and can be operated independently of one another, - a manipulator, which comprises one or more means for gripping the articles, and which is mechanically coupled to the at least three positioning arms such that a position of the manipulator can be specified by a movement of one or more of the at least three positioning arms, and comprising - a linear guide in contact with the manipulator and the suspension, each by way of a cardanic-type joint, wherein the linear guide is designed as rotatable or first shaft, which is non-rotatingly connected to the manipulator, and wherein the manipulator is rotated together with the shaft by a rotational movement of the first shaft, and - at least one actuating device designed as second shaft, which passes through the linear guide, and by way of which the one or more means can be controlled for the temporary gripping and releasing of articles, wherein - the actuating device designed as second shaft is rotated relative to the linear guide in order to control the one or more means, wherein, upon a rotation of the first shaft non-rotatingly connected to the rotatable manipulator, the second shaft performs either a rotation in the same direction or synchronous with the first shaft or a compensatory rotation or counter rotation thereto, based on a status of the means for the temporary gripping and releasing of articles, characterised in that a rotation of the first shaft, which rotates the manipulator, causes a compensatory rotation or counter rotation of the second shaft in order to maintain the actuation of or in order to release the means for the temporary gripping and releasing of the articles.