Booklet handling apparatus and booklet handling method

A booklet handling apparatus comprising:

• a take in unit to take in a booklet in a closed state;
• a conveying unit to convey the booklet taken in by the take in unit to a predetermined position in a first direction;
• a page turning unit to turn, about a stitch of the booklet, a back cover of the booklet conveyed to the predetermined position by the conveying unit;
• a push up unit to push up a front cover of the booklet pivoting about the stitch thereof by rotating a push up cam arranged in contact with the front cover of the booklet, the push up cam being made of a metal or resin;
• a support unit to support the front cover pushed up by the push up unit, the support unit including a first support unit to support, from one side, the front cover pushed up by the push up unit and a second support unit rotatable arranged to support, from the other side, the front cover while the booklet is being conveyed in the second direction;
• and
• a folding unit to fold the front cover by conveying the booklet in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the predetermined position using the conveying unit while the support unit supports the front cover,
• wherein a first speed at which the taken-in booklet is conveyed to the predetermined position in the first direction is faster than a second speed at which the booklet is conveyed from the predetermined position to a position in the second direction.