Abstract
An operating device for piece goods is provided. The operating device includes a first gripping jaw, a second gripping jaw opposed to the first gripping jaw along a lengthwise axis, the first and second gripping jaws having opposed inner surfaces, an actuation unit configured to rotate the first and second gripping jaws into a position in which one of: the inner surfaces are aligned parallel to each another, and a distance between upper portions of the opposed inner surfaces is greater than a distance between lower portions of the opposed inner surfaces. Machine implemented methods and additional operating devices are also provided.