Method for the recycling treatment of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for the recycling treatment of a vehicle (V), the vehicle (V) comprising a first seat element (12; 14) which comprises a frame (20) attached to a floor of the vehicle (V), a padding (22) and a cover (24), the padding (22) comprising a front face (Fav), a rear face (Far) and at least one side face (Fl) extending between the front face (Fav) and the rear face (Far), the cover (24) covering the front face (Fav) and the side face (Fl) of the padding (22), the method (100) comprising: - making a cut in the cover (24) along a cutting line (T); - separating at least the cover (24) and the padding (22) from the frame (20), the frame (20) of the first seat element (12; 14) remaining attached to the floor of the vehicle (V).

Description

Description Title: PROCESS FOR THE RECYCLING TREATMENT OF A VEHICLE Technical field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of vehicle recycling treatment processes, in particular end-of-life automobile-type vehicles. Prior art

[0002] In the automotive field, in particular, it is known to produce a vehicle seat base and / or backrest by covering a frame with padding. The whole assembly is then covered with a cover or a cover.

[0003] Generally, when a vehicle reaches the end of its life, the padding and seat covers are not removed until the entire vehicle is shredded. Indeed, the significant diversity of vehicle seats is an obstacle to the development of a standardized recycling procedure for these elements. Furthermore, current regulations require recycling of 85% of the mass of end-of-life vehicles: it is therefore more advantageous to recycle end-of-life vehicle elements that have a high density, such as metal elements, rather than less dense elements such as the padding and seat covers that are made of foam and / or textile.

[0004] However, climate change and sustainable development are a major concern for many legislative and regulatory bodies around the world. New regulations for the recovery of end-of-life vehicles also require that polymer-based components, such as foams and textiles, be processed for recovery, which must, in particular, take the form of material recycling. Furthermore, current vehicles increasingly contain polymer-based components. Therefore, in order to achieve 85% mass recycling of end-of-life vehicles and reduce the environmental footprint associated with the manufacture of automotive vehicles, consideration must be given to recycling polymer-based components, such as foams and textiles.

[0005] However, the operations of dismantling the flexible elements of end-of-life vehicle seats, such as the cover and the padding, are complex and costly, which makes their recovery through recycling even less profitable. Summary

[0006] A method is proposed for the recycling treatment of a vehicle, preferably of the automobile type, the vehicle comprising at least one seat which comprises at least one first seat element, said first seat element comprising a frame fixed directly or indirectly to a floor of the vehicle, padding and a cover, the padding comprising a front face intended to extend opposite a user of the seat, a rear face resting on the frame and at least one lateral face extending between the front face and the rear face, the cover covering at least the front face and the lateral face of the padding, the method comprising: - Form a cutout in the cover of the first seat element according to a cutting outline, - Separate at least the cover, and preferably the padding, from the frame of the first seat element, the frame of the first seat element remaining fixed to the floor of the vehicle.

[0007] The first seat element may comprise fixing means connecting the cover to the padding, the fixing means preferably being arranged at the front face of the padding, in which the cutting line is defined according to a closed contour which encircles, in whole or in part, the fixing means connecting the cover to the padding.

[0008] The cap may have a peripheral edge. The closed contour defining the cutting path may run along the peripheral edge of the cap.

[0009] The cutting of the cap can be carried out using a portable cutting tool, preferably an electric one.

[0010] The cutting tool may include: - a housing, which has a tool head and a gripping part, - an electric motor located in the housing, - a drive shaft oriented transversely to an axis of the housing and mounted in the tool head, the drive shaft being configured to be driven by the electric motor, preferably via a transmission, - a rotary cutting tool fixed on the drive shaft, the rotary cutting tool being disc-shaped, - a support base attached to the tool head, the support base being configured to be inserted between the cover and the padding and to guide the cover onto the rotary cutting tool as the electric shear is moved along the cutting path.

[0011] The support base may comprise a distal insertion end, preferably tapered. The cutting tool may further comprise: - a casing covering the rotary tool, leaving a slot configured to allow the insertion of the material to be cut between said support base and said casing, - a counter-knife, housed at least partially in a housing of the support base, the counter-knife has a guide surface extending said distal end along the slot, with the presence of a gap between said distal end and the counter-knife on one side of the housing.

[0012] The tool may have a guide, extending along the slot straddling said distal end and the counter-knife in order to prevent insertion of material into said gap.

[0013] The cutting of the headdress can include: - make a hole in the cap, - insert one front end of the support base of the electric shear into the hole, - advance the electric shears along the cutting path with the rotating cutting tool rotating.

[0014] The cutting of the cap can be carried out with a rotation speed of the rotary cutting tool between 500 rpm and 900 rpm.

[0015] Making the hole in the cap may include: - press the padding so that the cover forms a bead, - insert said bead of the cap between the support base and the rotating rotary cutting tool to form the hole in the cap.

[0016] The seat may comprise a seat and / or a backrest, the first seat element coinciding with one of the seat and the backrest.

[0017] The seat may comprise a second seat element comprising a frame fixed to the vehicle, padding and a cover, the padding comprising a front face intended to extend opposite a user of the seat, a rear face resting on the frame and a lateral face extending between the front face and the rear face, the cover covering at least the front face and the lateral face of the padding. The method may comprise: - Form a cutout in the cover of the second seat element according to a cutting outline, - Separate at least the cover, and preferably the padding, from the frame of the second seat element.

[0018] The second seat element can coincide with the other one among the seat and the backrest.

[0019] The method may further comprise grinding the vehicle which comprises the frame of the first seat element, and optionally the frame of the second seat element.

[0020] The seat may comprise one or more additional elements from among: a seat belt stalk, and at least one trim casing covering the cover at one of the lateral faces of the padding. The cutting line may be a closed contour defined so that said additional elements of the seat are outside the closed contour defining the cutting line.

[0021] The backrest may comprise one or more additional elements from among: a control lever of the tilt adjustment mechanism, at one of the lateral faces of the padding, an airbag system, at one of the lateral faces of the padding, at least one hole at the upper face of the padding and configured to receive a headrest pin, an armrest fixed at one of the lateral faces of the padding, and at least one covering casing covering the cover at one of the lateral faces of the padding. The cutting line may be a closed contour defined so that said additional elements of the backrest are outside the closed contour defining the cutting line.

[0022] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of manufacturing a cover and / or padding for a vehicle, preferably of the automobile type, in whole or in part, from a material resulting from the recycling of covers and padding obtained by the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

[0023] According to another aspect, there is provided a cover and / or padding for a vehicle, preferably of the automobile type, the cover and / or padding being manufactured, in whole or in part, from a material resulting from the recycling of covers and padding obtained by the process.

[0024] According to another aspect, there is provided an electric shear, for example suitable for implementing the method as described above, comprising: - a housing, which has a tool head and a gripping part, - an electric motor located in the housing, - a drive shaft oriented transversely to an axis of the housing and mounted in the tool head, the drive shaft being configured to be driven by the electric motor, preferably via a transmission, - a rotary cutting tool fixed on the drive shaft, the rotary cutting tool being disc-shaped, - a support base fixed to the tool head, comprising a distal insertion end, preferably tapered - a casing covering the rotary tool, leaving a slot configured to allow the insertion of the material to be cut between said support base and said casing - a counter-knife, housed at least partially in a housing of the support base, the counter-knife has a guide surface extending said distal end along the slot, with the presence of a gap between said distal end and the counter-knife on one side of the housing, characterized in that the tool has a guide, extending along the slot straddling said distal end and the counter-knife in order to prevent insertion of material into said gap. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below, and upon analyzing the attached drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a motor vehicle seat.

[0027] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a vehicle recycling treatment process according to the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic view representing a first step of the method of Figure 2.

[0029] Figure 4 is another schematic view that represents the first step of Figure 3.

[0030] Figure 5 is a schematic view of a tool used in the process of Figure 2.

[0031] Figure 6 is a schematic representing a first subsidiary of the first step of Figure 3.

[0032] Figure 7 is a schematic representing a second subsidiary of the first step of Figure 3.

[0033] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram representing a second step of the process of Figure 2. Description of the embodiments

[0034] A method 100 for the recycling treatment of a vehicle V, preferably of the automobile type, is now described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2. The vehicle V may be a used or end-of-life vehicle.

[0035] In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as the terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position qualifiers, such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or to orientation qualifiers, such as "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made, unless otherwise specified, to the orientation of the figures or of the seat 10 in its normal position of use.

[0036] In the following, the longitudinal direction X means the longitudinal direction X of the seat 10. The longitudinal direction X of the seat 10 is considered to be the same as the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle V in which the seat 10 is mounted. This longitudinal direction X corresponds to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle V. The longitudinal direction X is preferably horizontal. The transverse direction Y is the transverse direction Y of the seat 10. The transverse direction Y of the seat 10 thus corresponds to the transverse or lateral direction Y of the motor vehicle V. This transverse direction Y corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the normal direction of travel of the vehicle V. The transverse direction Y is preferably horizontal. Finally, the vertical direction Z is a vertical direction Z of the seat 10, perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0037] The vehicle V comprises at least one seat 10 shown in Figure 1 which comprises at least a first seat element 12; 14. As will be described in more detail, the first seat element may comprise a seat or a backrest. Said first seat element 12; 14 comprises a frame 20 fixed directly or indirectly to a floor of the vehicle V, padding 22 and a cover 24. The seat 10 may be of the individual seat type or of the bench type.

[0038] The padding 22 comprises a front face Fav intended to extend opposite a user of the seat 10, a rear face Far resting on the frame 20 and at least one lateral face Fl extending between the front face Fav and the rear face Far. The padding 22 may comprise a foam, for example a polyurethane foam.

[0039] The cover 24 covers at least the front face Fav and the side face Fl of the padding 22. The cover 24 may cover, in whole or in part, the padding 22 and the frame 20. The cover 24 may comprise an external face intended to be in contact with a user. The cover 24 may be made of textile, skin, leather, synthetic material, etc.

[0040] The method 100 comprises a first step 110 and a second step 120. The first step 110 comprises forming a cutout in the cover 24 of the first seat element 12; 14 along a cutting path T. The second step 120 comprises separating at least the cover 24, and preferably the padding 22, from the frame 20 of the first seat element 12; 14, the frame 20 of the first seat element 12; 14 remaining fixed to the floor of the vehicle V.

[0041] The separation of the cover 24 and the padding 22 is therefore remarkably achieved while the first seat element 12; 14 is in the vehicle V. In other words, it is not necessary to extract the first seat element 12; 14, or even the entire seat 10, from the vehicle V to cut and then separate the cover 24 and the padding 22 from the frame 20. This proves to be particularly advantageous, because it makes it possible to keep the frame 20 of the first seat element 12; 14 inside the vehicle V for the purpose of recycling the entire vehicle V in a recycling center, in particular according to a single recycling flow by crushing and sorting. Conversely, extracting the first seat element 12; 14, or even entirely the seat 10, of the vehicle V to cut, then separate the cover 24 and the padding 22 from the frame 20 would require a specific recycling flow for the frame 20 of the first seat element 12; 14, which would complicate the treatment of the vehicle V.The 100 process is therefore part of reducing the environmental footprint linked to end-of-life vehicles and in sustainable development efforts by aiming to reuse the material from the cover and padding of end-of-life vehicles.

[0042] The method 100 is thus faster and less expensive. Furthermore, the method 100 can be implemented regardless of the type of vehicle V and the type of seat 10.

[0043] The first seat element 12; 14 may comprise fixing means connecting the cover 24 to the padding 22, the fixing means preferably being arranged at the front face Fav of the padding 22. The fixing means may comprise one or more seams, or one or more staples, one or more self-gripping strips and / or one or more clip-on fixing elements.

[0044] As seen in Figures 3 and 4, the cutting path T can be defined according to a closed contour which encircles, in whole or in part, the fixing means connecting the cover 24 to the padding 22. The fixing means are generally more difficult to cut than the cover 24 alone. Also, the cutting path T has the advantage of allowing easy cutting of the cover 24. In addition, this advantageously allows the padding and the cover to be extracted in one piece.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, the cap 24 may have a peripheral edge. The closed contour defining the cutting path T may run along the peripheral edge of the cap 24.

[0046] The first step 110, namely the cutting of the cap 24, can be carried out by means of a portable cutting tool 200, preferably an electric tool. Such a tool is shown in FIG. 5.

[0047] The cutting tool 200 may be an electric shear. Thus, the cutting tool 200 may comprise a housing, which has a tool head 202 and a gripping portion 204. The housing may have a curved shape. The housing 206 may comprise two shells attached to each other.

[0048] An electric motor may be arranged in the housing. The electric shear may comprise an energy accumulator supplying power to the electric motor. The energy accumulator, or battery, may be arranged in the housing 206, preferably in the gripping portion 204. An actuating element of the electric motor may be arranged on a lower portion of the gripping portion gripping 204, for example in the form of a key 216 protruding from the gripping part 204. The electric shears 200 are thus easily handled.

[0049] The cutting tool 200 may include a drive shaft 208 oriented transversely to an axis of the housing and mounted in the tool head 202, the drive shaft being configured to be driven by the electric motor, preferably via a transmission.

[0050] The cutting tool may also include a rotary cutting tool 210 attached to the drive shaft, the rotary cutting tool 210 being disc-shaped. The rotary cutting tool 210 may be a circular or multi-sided cutter.

[0051] The cutting tool may finally comprise a support base 212 attached to the tool head 202, the support base 212 being configured to be inserted between the cap 24 and the padding 22 and to guide the cap 24 on the rotary cutting tool 210 when the electric shear is moved along the cutting path T. For this purpose, the support base 212 may comprise a distal insertion end 213, preferably tapered. The support base 212 may comprise a lower support surface configured to slide on the padding 22 in order to guide the electric shear along the cutting path T.

[0052] After numerous unsuccessful tests, the inventors favored such a cutting tool 200 which notably has a rotary cutting tool, in that this allows reliable and precise cutting of a soft and flexible cap 24. In particular, the inventors found that an oscillating type tool is not suitable for the present method 100.

[0053] The tool may comprise a casing, or a plate, covering all or part of the rotary tool 210, leaving a slot 220 configured to allow the insertion of the material to be cut between said support base and said casing.

[0054] Optionally, the cutting tool may comprise a rectangular counter-knife 214 arranged opposite the rotary cutting tool 210. The counter-knife 214 may be housed at least partially in a housing of the support base. The counter-knife may have a guide surface extending said distal end 213 of the support base along the slot, with the presence of a gap 222 between said distal end of the support base and the counter-knife on one side of the housing. The counter-knife may, for example, cooperate with the rotary tool to allow sharpening of the rotary tool 210. The counter-knife may also be mounted so as to be movable relative to the support base, for example by means of a spring blade.

[0055] Advantageously, the cutting tool 200 may comprise a guide 218, extending along the slot straddling said distal end and the counter-knife in order to prevent insertion of material into said gap.

[0056] Cutting the cap 24 may comprise a first subsidiary step which comprises making a hole 28 in the cap 24. As shown in FIG. 6, making the hole 28 in the cap 24 may comprise applying pressure to the padding 22 so that the cap 24 forms a bead 30 (shown by arrow F in FIG. 6). The bead 30 of the cap 24 may then be inserted into the slot 220 between the support base 212 and the rotary cutting tool 210. until the rotating rotary cutting tool 210 forms the hole 28 in the cap 24. The hole 28 can be made at the lateral face Fl of the padding 22. More particularly, the bead 30 can be formed by exerting pressure on the front face Fav of the padding 22 in the direction of the rear face Far.

[0057] Shown in Figure 7, the cutting of the cap 24 may include a second subsidiary step which includes the insertion of a front end of the support base 212 of the electric shear into the hole 28.

[0058] The cutting of the cap 24 may comprise a third subsidiary step which comprises the advancement of the electric shears along the cutting path T with the rotating cutting tool 210 in rotation (represented by the arrow A in FIG. 7). The cutting of the cap 24 may be carried out with a rotation speed of the rotating cutting tool of between 500 rpm and 900 rpm, preferably of between 600 rpm and 800 rpm, more preferably equal to 700 rpm. A rotation speed is particularly suitable for cutting a flexible or supple cap 24.

[0059] The seat 10 may comprise a second seat element 12; 14 attached, in a fixed or mobile manner, to the first seat element 12; 14. The second seat element may also comprise a frame 20 fixed to the vehicle V, padding 22 and a cover 24, the padding 22 comprising a front face Fav intended to extend opposite a user of the seat 10, a rear face Far resting on the frame 20 and a lateral face Fl extending between the front face Fav and the rear face Far, the cover 24 covering at least the front face Fav and the lateral face Fl of the padding 22. As will be described in more detail below, the second seat element may comprise a seat or a backrest.

[0060] The method 100 may comprise repeating the first and second steps 1 10; 120 applied to the second seat element 12; 14 in place of the first seat element 12; 14. In particular, the method may comprise forming a cutout in the cover 24 of the second seat element 12; 14 along a cutting path T and separating at least the cover 24, and preferably the padding 22, from the frame 20 of the second seat element 12; 14. Even more particularly, the first and second steps 1 10; 120 of the method 100 relating to the second seat element 12; 14 may be identical in whole or in part to those relating to the first seat element 12; 14.

[0061] As previously indicated, the seat 10 may comprise a seat 12 and a backrest 14. The first seat element 12; 14 may coincide with one of the seat 12 and the backrest 14. The second seat element 12; 14 may coincide with the other of the seat 12 and the backrest 14.

[0062] Preferably, the first seat element 12; 14 is the seat 12 of the seat 10 and the second seat element 12; 14 is the backrest 14 of the seat 10. In other words, according to a preferred embodiment, the cover 24 and preferably the padding 22 of the seat 12 are extracted from the vehicle V in a first step; the cover 24 and preferably the padding 22 of the backrest 14 are extracted from the vehicle V in a second step. Such sequencing facilitates in particular the separation of the cover 24 and the padding 22 from the backrest 14.

[0063] The method 100 may comprise a third step 130. The third step 130 may comprise the crushing of the vehicle V which comprises the frame 20 of the first seat element 12; 14, and where appropriate the frame 20 of the second seat element 12; 14. It is understood that the vehicle V is therefore crushed without the cover 24, and preferably without the padding 22, of the first seat element 12; 14, and where appropriate of the second seat element 12; 14. The residues resulting from the crushing of the vehicle may be sorted according to the materials from which they are made for reuse or recycling.

[0064] Alternatively or additionally, the third step may comprise the treatment of the cap 24 and / or the padding 22 obtained by the method as described above with a view to recycling their material. In particular, the cap 24 and / or the padding 22 obtained by the method as described above may be ground. Thus, a raw material for recycling may be obtained from the cap 24 and / or the padding 22 and may be reintroduced into a cap and / or padding production process as a total or partial replacement for virgin raw materials. This thus allows a saving of natural resources, aiming to be more respectful of the environment.

[0065] Also, a cover and / or padding, or even an assembly comprising a cover and / or padding, for a vehicle, preferably of the automobile type, can be obtained: the cover and / or padding being manufactured, in whole or in part, from a material resulting from the recycling of covers and padding obtained by the process as described above.

[0066] Before cutting the cover of the first seat element, and where appropriate of the second seat element, the method may comprise a preliminary step comprising positioning the seat 10, inside the vehicle V, in a so-called cutting position which facilitates cutting by an operator.

[0067] In the case where the seat element 12; 14 considered, that is to say the first seat element 12; 14 or the second seat element 12; 14, is a seat 12: the lateral face F1 of the padding 22 may comprise a front side, a rear side and two opposite lateral sides. The cutting line T may comprise: - a front segment Sav at the level of the front side of the lateral face Fl of the padding 22, - a rear segment Sar at the level of the front face Fav of the padding 22, preferably in the vicinity of the junction between the front face Fav and the rear edge of the padding 22, - a lateral segment SI at the level of each of the lateral sides of the lateral face Fl of the padding 22, the lateral segments each connecting the front segment Sav to the rear segment Sar.

[0068] The seat 12 may be connected to the floor of the vehicle V via a height adjustment mechanism configured to move the seat 12 in at least the vertical direction Z between a high position and a low position. Positioning the seat 10 in the cutting position may comprise moving the seat 12 into the high position by means of the height adjustment mechanism.

[0069] The seat 12 may be connected to the floor of the vehicle V by means of a slide mechanism configured to move the seat 12 in at least the longitudinal direction X between a forward position and a rearward position. Positioning the seat 10 in the cutting position may comprise moving the seat 12 into the rearward position by means of the slide mechanism.

[0070] The backrest 14, in particular the frame 20 of the backrest 14, may be mounted on the seat 12, in particular the frame 20 of the seat 12 pivoting about a transverse axis between a forward tilt position and a rearward tilt position, in particular by means of a tilt adjustment mechanism. Positioning the seat 10 in the cutting position may comprise pivoting the backrest 14 into the rearward tilt position by means of the tilt adjustment mechanism.

[0071] The seat 12 may include one or more additional elements from among: - a stalk of a seat belt, - at least one covering casing covering the cover 24 at the level of one of the lateral faces F1 of the padding 22.

[0072] The cutting path T may be a closed contour defined so that said additional elements of the seat 12 are outside the closed contour defining the cutting path T.

[0073] In the case where the seat element 12; 14 considered is a backrest 14: the lateral face Fl of the padding 22 may comprise an upper side, a lower side Ci and two opposite lateral sides. The cutting line T may comprise: - an upper segment Ss at the level of the upper side of the upper face of the padding 22, - a lower segment Si at the level of the front face Fav of the padding 22, preferably in the vicinity of the junction between the front face Fav and the lower face of the padding 22, - a lateral segment SI at the level of each of the lateral sides of the lateral face Fl of the padding 22, the lateral segments each connecting the upper segment Ss to the lower segment Si.

[0074] Positioning the seat 10 in the cutting position may include moving the seat 12 into the forward position by means of the slide mechanism.

[0075] Positioning the seat 10 in the cutout position may include pivoting the backrest 14 into the forward tilt position by means of the tilt adjustment mechanism.

[0076] The seat 10 may include a headrest mounted on the backrest 14 adjustably between a high position and a low position, such as by means of a headrest height adjustment system. Positioning the seat 10 in the cutout position may include moving the headrest into the high position by means of the headrest height adjustment system.

[0077] File 14 may include one or more additional elements from among: - a control lever for the tilt adjustment mechanism, at one of the side faces Fl of the padding 22, - an airbag system, at the level of one of the lateral faces Fl of the padding 22, - at least one hole at the upper face of the padding 22 and configured to receive a headrest pin, - an armrest fixed at one of the lateral faces of the padding 22, - at least one covering casing covering the cover 24 at one of the lateral faces F1 of the padding 22.

[0078] The cutting path T may be a closed contour defined so that said additional elements of the folder 14 are outside the closed contour defining the cutting path T.

Claims

Claims

1. Method (100) for recycling treatment of a vehicle (V), preferably of the automobile type, the vehicle (V) comprising at least one seat (10) which comprises at least one first seat element (12; 14), said first seat element (12; 14) comprising a frame (20) fixed directly or indirectly to a floor of the vehicle (V), padding (22) and a cover (24), the padding (22) comprising a front face (Fav) intended to extend opposite a user of the seat (10), a rear face (Far) resting on the frame (20) and at least one lateral face (Fl) extending between the front face (Fav) and the rear face (Far), the cover (24) covering at least the front face (Fav) and the lateral face (Fl) of the padding (22), the method (100) comprising: - Form a cutout in the cover (24) of the first seat element (12; 14) according to a cutting line (T), - Separate at least the cover (24), and preferably the padding (22), from the frame (20) of the first seat element (12; 14), the frame (20) of the first seat element (12; 14) remaining fixed to the floor of the vehicle (V).

2. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, the first seat element (12; 14) comprising fixing means connecting the cover (24) to the padding (22), the fixing means preferably being arranged at the front face (Fav) of the padding (22), in which the cutting line (T) is defined according to a closed contour which encircles, in whole or in part, the fixing means connecting the cover (24) to the padding (22).

3. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, the cap (24) having a peripheral edge, and in which the closed contour defining the cutting path (T) runs along the peripheral edge of the cap (24).

4. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cutting of the cap (24) is carried out by means of a portable cutting tool (200), preferably electric.

5. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cutting tool (200) comprising: - a housing, which has a tool head (202) and a gripping part (204), - an electric motor located in the housing, - a drive shaft (208) oriented transversely to an axis of the housing and mounted in the tool head (202), the drive shaft being configured to be driven by the electric motor, preferably via a transmission, - a rotary cutting tool (210) fixed on the drive shaft, the rotary cutting tool (210) being disc-shaped, - a support base (212) attached to the tool head (202), the support base (212) being configured to be inserted between the cover (24) and the padding (22) and to guide the cover (24) onto the rotary cutting tool (210) when the electric shear is moved along the cutting path (T).

6. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the support base (212) comprises a distal insertion end (213), preferably tapered, and wherein the cutting tool (200) further comprises: - a casing covering the rotary tool (210), leaving a slot (220) configured to allow the insertion of the material to be cut between said support base and said casing - a counter-knife (214), housed at least partially in a housing of the support base, the counter-knife has a guide surface extending said distal end along the slot (220), with the presence of a gap (222) between said distal end (213) and the counter-knife (214) on one side of the housing, and in which the tool has a guide (218), extending along the slot (220) straddling said distal end (213) and the counter-knife (214) in order to prevent insertion of material into said gap (222).

7. The method (100) of claim 5 or 6, wherein cutting the cap (24) comprises: - make a hole (28) in the cap (24), - insert a front end of the support base (212) of the electric shears into the hole (28), - advance the cutting tool along the cutting path (T) with the rotary cutting tool (210) rotating.

8. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the cutting of the cap (24) is carried out with a rotation speed of the rotary cutting tool of between 500 rpm and 900 rpm.

9. The method (100) of claim 7 or 8, wherein making the hole (28) in the cap (24) comprises: - press the padding (22) so that the cover (24) forms a bead (30), - inserting said bead (30) of the cap (24) between the support base (212) and the rotating rotary cutting tool (210) to form the hole (28) in the cap (24).

10. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, the seat (10) comprising a second seat element (12; 14) comprising a frame (20) fixed to the vehicle (V), padding (22) and a cover (24), the padding (22) comprising a front face (Fav) intended to extend opposite a user of the seat (10), a rear face (Far) resting on the frame (20) and a lateral face (Fl) extending between the front face (Fav) and the rear face (Far), the cover (24) covering at least the front face (Fav) and the lateral face (Fl) of the padding (22), the method (100) comprising: - Form a cutout in the cover (24) of the second seat element (12; 14) according to a cutting line (T), - Separate at least the cover (24), and preferably the padding (22), from the frame (20) of the second seat element (12; 14).

11. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, the seat (10) comprising a seat (12) and / or a backrest (14), the first seat element (12; 14) coinciding with one of the seat (12) and the backrest (14), where appropriate the second seat element (12; 14) coinciding with the other of the seat (12) and the backrest (14).

12. Method according to the preceding claim, the seat (12) comprising one or more additional elements from among: a peduncle of a seat belt, and at least one covering casing covering the cover (24) at the level of one of the lateral faces (F1) of the padding (22), in which the cutting line (T) is a closed contour defined so that said additional elements of the seat (12) are outside the closed contour defining the cutting line (T).

13. Method according to the preceding claim, the backrest (14) comprising one or more additional elements from among: a control lever of the tilt adjustment mechanism, at one of the lateral faces (F1) of the padding (22), an airbag system, at one of the lateral faces (F1) of the padding (22), at least one hole at the upper face of the padding (22) and configured to receive a headrest pin, an armrest fixed at one of the lateral faces of the padding (22), and at least one covering casing covering the cover (24) at one of the lateral faces (F1) of the padding (22), in which the cutting line (T) is a closed contour defined so that said additional elements of the backrest (14) are outside the closed contour defining the cutting line (T).

14. A method (100) according to any preceding claim, further comprising grinding the vehicle (V) which comprises the frame (20) of the first seat element (12; 14), and optionally the frame (20) of the second seat element (12; 14).

15. Method for manufacturing a cover and / or padding for a vehicle, preferably of the automobile type, in whole or in part, from a material resulting from the recycling of covers and padding obtained by the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

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