Patent Publication Number: US-11647731-B2

Title: Catch drawer litter box

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/430,626 filed Jun. 4, 2019 which issues as U.S. Pat. No. 11,026,396 on Jun. 8, 2021, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/646,346 filed Jul. 11, 2017. Each of the aforementioned patent applications is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     Example embodiments in general relate to a catch drawer litter box for the recovery of litter and prevention of unwanted dispersal outside of a litter box. 
     Related Art 
     Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. 
     A litter box, which is sometimes referred to as a sandbox, is an indoor waste collection box for small animals. They are typically used inside homes and dwellings where the occupants have house cats as pets. As its name suggests, a litter box contains litter, which in this context, refers to a type of gravel that is well-suited to handle urine and animal feces. When used for house cats, the litter is generally referred to as cat litter. Ideally, a house cat will preferentially use a litter box for elimination of bodily waste. After elimination, the house cat will usually use its paws to kick or cover its waste products with litter. 
     Because this waste removal process includes a cat using its paws to cover its waste products, it may result in litter being propelled in arbitrary directions. Depending on the configuration of the litter box, this may result in litter being propelled outside of the litter box into the surrounding area. In addition, litter may adhere to the cat&#39;s paws during this process. Once the cat leaves the litter box, this litter will tend to be spread across areas along the cat&#39;s immediate path. Thus, such litter could be found some distance away from the litter box. Because used litter is likely to contain urine and feces, its spread may present a health and cleanliness problem. 
     In order to control the spread of litter throughout a home containing a house cat, various solutions have been used. In some cases, a litter box is placed within a covered enclosure with a single opening for entry and exit of a house cat. This type of litter box prevents the spread of litter in directions other than that of the entry opening. Although the spread of litter during the burial portion of the process is reduced, it may still occur in the direction of the entrance, which is adjacent to the litter. Moreover, this does nothing to prevent the spread of litter that may be attached to the cat&#39;s paws. 
     In other cases, adhesive pads may be placed near the entrance of the litter box. If the cat chooses to walk across the pad, some of the litter stuck to the cat&#39;s paws may be stuck to the adhesive pad. However, as it is used, the adhesive pad becomes less effective. Therefore, it must be monitored and replaced to maintain its effectiveness. Moreover, any litter that becomes stuck to the pad cannot be used. Thus, the litter in the litter box must be replaced more frequently. Moreover, some cats will avoid sticky surfaces, which means that the cat will avoid the adhesive pad making it ineffective, or worse, avoid the litter box entirely and find a new place for waste elimination that is less desirable for the owner. 
     What is needed is a litter box solution that prevents the spread of litter and recovers any litter that might otherwise spread throughout home. Such a litter box solution may include seamless walls so urine can&#39;t leak out of the sides and onto the floor. A grate may be provided which is large enough that the cat has to take multiple steps to remove the litter from its paws. The entry to the box and litter area may be configured in an adjacent manner that forces the cat to have to walk across the grate. The entry and interior walls may also be designed in a way to keep dogs out, as dogs will often be attracted to the contents of litter boxes. A drawer under the grate may be used to catch excess litter to be recycled back into the box or disposed of. Windows may be provided for viewing and venting so the cat can see and doesn&#39;t feel trapped in the box. A charcoal filter may be positioned within a vent if desired. Holes in the side of the walls may be provided so that the scoop can be hung inside the box to reduce mess outside the box. The entry and interior walls may be designed in a way that helps contain litter within the box when the cat aggressively digs in the litter and flings it everywhere. The entry to the box may be designed with one small step into the box so that most any cat, regardless of age or disability, can easily enter and exit the box. 
     SUMMARY 
     An example embodiment is directed to a catch drawer litter box. The catch drawer litter box includes a base and a cover. The base generally comprises a recovery region, a litter region, and a base divider separating these two regions. The litter region generally comprises a litter container configured for the receipt of litter comprising litter particles. Recovery region generally comprises a grate with openings large enough to allow passage of litter particles and a recovery drawer configured for removable deposition within the recovery region via an opening in the base. The recovery drawer is configured to receive at least a portion of the particles of litter that may pass through the openings in the grate. The cover is generally configured to enclose the recovery region and the litter region of the base. The cover also includes an opening that is adjacent to the recovery region that is configured to allow passage of a cat to the litter by passing over the grate. In some embodiments, the top of cover is removable. 
     Another example embodiment is directed to a catch drawer litter box which includes a container and a cover removably connected to selectively cover an upper end of the container. A cavity is defined within the container, with the cavity being divided between a recovery region for the removal of debris from a cat&#39;s paws and a litter region in which a cat may eliminate waste into a volume of litter. An opening on the front end of the container leads to the recovery region of the cavity. A transfer opening is positioned between the recovery region and the litter region of the cavity. A debris container is removably connected to the container within the recovery region of the cavity. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the embodiments of the catch drawer litter box in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional embodiments of the catch drawer litter box that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the catch drawer litter box in detail, it is to be understood that the catch drawer litter box is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The catch drawer litter box is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference characters, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a catch drawer litter box in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a catch drawer litter box with its cover removed in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded view of a catch drawer litter box in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a top-down view of the base of a catch drawer litter box in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a cutaway view of the catch drawer litter box shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    is a cutaway view of the catch drawer litter box shown in  FIG.  1    illustrating a cat entering the catch drawer litter box. 
         FIG.  7    is a cutaway view of the catch drawer litter box shown in  FIG.  1    illustrating a cat preparing to exit the catch drawer litter box. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of a catch drawer litter box in accordance with an example embodiment illustrating the removal of a recovery drawer from the base of the catch drawer litter box. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a catch drawer litter box in accordance with an example embodiment illustrating the insertion of a recovery drawer into the base of the catch drawer litter box. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of a catch drawer litter box comprised of a single structure in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of a catch drawer litter box with a door attached to the housing to selectively close the opening. 
         FIG.  12    is a frontal perspective view of a catch drawer litter box in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  13    is a frontal view of a catch drawer litter box in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  14    is a rear perspective view of a catch drawer litter box in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  15    is an upper perspective view of a catch drawer litter box with the cover removed in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  16    is a top view of a catch drawer litter box with the cover removed in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  17    is a top view of a catch drawer litter box with the cover and the debris container removed in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  18    is a top view of a catch drawer litter box with the cover removed in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  19    is a top view of a cat entering a catch drawer litter box in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  20    is a top view of a cat eliminating waste within the litter region of a catch drawer litter box in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  21    is a top view of a cat passing through the recovery region while exiting a catch drawer litter box in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  22    is a top view of a cat exiting a catch drawer litter box in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  23    is a front perspective view of a debris container being removed from a catch drawer litter box in accordance with an example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A. Overview 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS.  1  through  11    illustrate a catch drawer litter box  10  including a base  20  and a cover  11 . Base  20  generally comprises a recovery region  21 , a litter region  23 , and a base divider  26  separating these two regions. In some embodiments, base  20  may comprise a plurality of sides. The recovery side of base  20  is the side that is adjacent to recovery region  21  and is not adjacent to litter region  23 . The litter side of base  20  is the side that is adjacent to litter region  23  and is not adjacent to recovery region  21 . Common sides of base  20  include sides that are adjacent to both recovery region  21  and litter region  23 . Litter region  23  generally comprises a litter container  24  configured for the receipt of litter  25  comprising litter particles. Recovery region  21  generally comprises a grate  22  comprising openings large enough to allow passage of particles of litter  25 , and a recovery drawer  30  configured for removable deposition within recovery region  23  via an opening  27  in the recovery side of base  20 . Recovery drawer  30  is configured for receipt of at least a portion of the particles of litter  25  that pass through the openings in grate  22 . Litter box cover  11  is generally configured to enclose the recovery region  21  of base  20  and the litter region  23  of base  20  and comprises an opening  14  that is adjacent to the recovery region  21 . Opening  14  is configured to allow passage of a cat  40  to litter  25  by passing over grate  22 . In some embodiments, the top  15  of cover  11  is removably attached and includes a cover handle  12 . 
     B. Base 
     As best shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , a base  20  for use with a catch drawer litter box  10  generally comprises a recovery region  21  and a litter region  23 . The recovery region  21  generally includes a grate  22  that is configured above a recovery drawer  30 . The litter region  23  is generally configured to house a litter container  24 . The litter container  24  is configured to receive and hold a quantity of litter  25  comprised of numerous particles. A base divider  26  may be used to separate the recovery region  21  from the litter region  23 . The base  20  will generally include a recovery drawer opening  27  that is configured to receive a recovery drawer  30  that can be placed beneath grate  22 . Typically, grate  22  and recovery drawer  30  are configured such that litter particles smaller than the openings in grate  22  will fall directly into recovery drawer  30 . However, a plurality of grates  22  or a single grate  22  comprised of multiple layers may be used. 
     The litter region  23  of base  20  is configured in a manner that makes litter  25  available for waste elimination by cat  40 . Litter  25  is generally held within a litter container  24 . In some embodiments, litter container  24  is integrated into base  20 . In other embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG.  3   , litter container  24  can be removed from base  20  for easier cleaning or replacement. Litter container  24  may also be comprised of multiple pieces that collectively hold litter  25 . In some embodiments, litter container  24  may also comprise a removable liner that rests within litter container  24 . In other embodiments, litter container  24  includes a filter than can be removed to quickly remove clumps of litter that form due to waste elimination by cat  40 . 
     Although the base  20  shown in  FIGS.  1  through  10    comprises a rectangular profile, other profiles are suitable for use with a catch drawer litter box  10 . For example, base  20  may include an oval shape, an elongated hexagon, or an irregular egg shape. 
     C. Recovery Drawer 
     A recovery drawer  30  for use with a catch drawer litter box  10  is generally configured to be removably disposed within base  20  and beneath grate  22 . In general, recovery drawer  30  is configured to capture any particles of litter  25  that pass through grate  22 . However, in some embodiments, grate  22  may partially rest upon an impervious surface such as a lip or border used to support grate  22  and define recovery region  21 . In such an embodiment, particles of litter  25  may become trapped such that they do not enter recovery drawer  30 . In general, recovery drawer  30  will abut base divider  26  when fully inserted into base  20 . 
     In some embodiments of a catch drawer litter box  10 , recovery drawer  30  comprises a portion of base  20 , such that removable of the recovery drawer  30  removes at least a portion of the sides of base  20 . In this type of embodiment, base  20  may comprise one or more posts or a frame without sides. Moreover, base divider  26  may be completely absent, or be comprised of a portion of recovery drawer  30 . For example, the recovery drawer  30  may abut a litter container  24  directly rather than a base divider  26  that is a fixed feature of base  20 . 
     Although the recovery drawer  30  shown in  FIGS.  1  through  10    is configured for removable attachment via the side of base  20  that is furthest from litter container  24  (i.e., recovery side), recovery drawer  30  may also be configured for removal from one of the sides adjacent to litter container  24  (i.e., common side). For example, if the catch drawer litter box  10  is placed in a corner or adjacent to a wall, it may be advantageous for recovery drawer  30  to be configured for removable deposition into recovery region  23  via an alternate side of base  20 . 
     D. Litter Box Cover 
     In order to prevent the unwanted dispersal of litter  25  to surrounding areas as part of the waste elimination process, catch drawer litter box  10  will generally include a litter box cover  11 . Litter box cover  11  is generally configured to enclose recovery region  21  and litter region  23  of base  20 . In some embodiments, litter box cover  11  is comprised of a plurality of litter box sides  13 , a litter box opening  14 , a litter box top  15 , and a cover handle  12 . Litter box sides  13  and litter box top  15  prevent cat litter  25  from being dispersed in the areas surrounding the catch drawer litter box  10 . Litter box sides  13  and litter box top  15  also provide privacy for cat  40  and concealment of litter  25  for the owner. Litter box opening  14  permits cat  40  to enter and exit the catch drawer litter box  10 . The litter box opening  14  is generally configured such that cat  40  must pass over grate  22  in order to reach cat litter  25 . However, in some embodiments, litter box opening  14  may have a different shape or location along litter box sides  13 . For example, litter box opening  14  may be located on a corner rather than a side. In this type of embodiment, cat  40  may have to turn to the right or left in order to reach litter  25 . 
     Litter box cover  11  may also include a cover handle  12  to aid in the temporary removal of litter box cover  11  or a portion thereof from base  20 . In the example shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , a cover handle  12  is attached to litter box top  15 , which is removable from litter box sides  13 . In some embodiments, one or more cover handles  12  may be attached to litter box sides  13  in addition to or in lieu of a cover handle  12  attached to litter box top  15 . In some embodiments, litter box sides  13  and litter box top  15  are configured to form a single unitary structure. In other embodiments, litter box cover  11  may comprise a single structure without clearly identifiable litter box sides  13  and litter box top  15 . For example, if litter box cover  11  is comprised of a single unitary structure with a dome shape, there may be no meaningful distinction between litter box sides  13  and litter box top  15 . However, even with a dome shaped litter box cover  11 , an upper portion of the litter box cover  11  may be independently removable and considered to be litter box top  15 . Similarly, a side portion of litter box cover  11  may be independently removable and considered to be a portion of litter box sides  13 . In addition, a portion of litter box cover  11  may be hinged such that a temporary opening can be created without complete removal of that portion from litter box cover  11 . In addition to surrounding recovery region  21  and litter region  23  while resting upon base  20 , as shown in  FIGS.  1  through  9   , litter box cover  11  may also be configured to surround the entire base  20 . 
     In addition to configurations of litter box cover  11 , wherein the litter box cover  11  is independent of base  20 , one or more portions of litter box cover  11  may be integrated into base  20 . For example, litter box sides  13  may be integrated with base  20 . In this embodiment, litter box top  15  may be the only removable portion of litter box cover  11 . In other embodiments, litter box top  15  and a portion of litter box sides  13  are removable from litter box cover  11  as a single structure. In some embodiments, such as the one shown in  FIG.  10   , the entirety of litter box cover  11  may be integrated with base  20 . 
     E. Operation of Preferred Embodiment 
     In a preferred embodiment, with reference to  FIG.  3   , catch drawer litter box  10  is comprised of a base  20  and separate litter box cover  11 , with the litter box cover  11  being comprised of litter box sides  13  and a separate litter box top  15 . Base  20  comprises a recovery region  21  and a litter region  23  that are defined by four sides and a base divider  26 . There is a separate litter container  24  that is configured to rest within litter region  23  of base  20 , and a grate  22  that is configured to cover recovery region  21  of base  20 . Base  20  also includes a recovery drawer  30  that is configured to be removably disposed within base  20  through an opening  27  so as to fit underneath grate  22 . 
     The base  20  is placed in a preferred location for waste elimination. The grate  22  is put in place in the recovery region  21  of base  20 . Litter container  24  is placed within the litter region  23  of base  20 . A few inches of litter  25  is placed within litter container  24 . Recovery drawer  30  is inserted into recovery drawer opening  27  of base  20 , such that it rests underneath grate  22 . The litter box sides of litter box cover  11  are placed on base  20  so as to enclose recovery region  21  and litter region  23  with litter box opening  14  located near recovery region  21 . Litter box top  15  is then placed on top of litter box sides  13  to complete the litter box cover  11  and fully enclose the space above of base  20 . At this point, an exemplary catch drawer litter box  10  is in place for use by a cat  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  11   , a door or flapper  84  may be attached to the housing to selectively close the opening  14 . The door or flapper  84  may be comprised of various types of doors or flappers commonly used in the pet industry to selectively close openings. 
     At various times after the catch drawer litter box  10  has been configured, cat  40  will enter via litter box opening  14 , as shown in  FIG.  6   . Cat  40  will walk across grate  22  in recovery region  21  to reach the litter  25  that is held within the litter container  24  in litter region  23 . Cat  40  will then use the litter  25  for purposes of waste elimination. This is generally followed by cat  40  attempting to bury its waste within the litter  25  held in litter container  24 . This process of burying waste generally involves cat  40  using its paws to kick particles of litter  25  in the direction of the waste. Stray particles of litter  25  will generally bounce off litter box sides  13  and litter box top  15  and remain within the interior of the catch drawer litter box  10 . Ideally, the majority of the stray particles of litter  25  will be reflected back into litter container  24 . However, some of the particles will enter the recovery region  21 , pass through the openings in grate  22 , and land in recovery drawer  30 . Still other particles of litter  25  will stick to the paws of cat  40 . Ideally, very few particles of litter  25  will leave the catch drawer litter box  10  via opening  14 . Having finished burying its waste, cat  40  will walk across grate  22  to exit catch drawer litter box  10  via opening  14 , as shown in  FIG.  7   . The process of walking across grate  22  will generally cause any particles of litter  25  that are stuck to the paws of cat  40  to fall through the openings in grate  22  and into recovery drawer  30 . 
     After one or more instances of waste elimination by cat  40 , with the aid of drawer handle  31 , recovery drawer  30  can be removed from base  20  as shown in  FIG.  8   . Recovery drawer  30  will generally include particles of litter  25  that have been kicked by cat  40  during waste burial and particles of litter  25  that have been scraped from the paws of cat  40  while exiting the catch drawer litter box  10 . This recovered litter can either be discarded or returned to litter container  24  to replenish any litter  25  that may have been removed, such as during the cleaning of litter container  24 . In some cases, recovery of litter  25  may occur immediately after litter container  24  has been cleaned. To the extent that litter  25  beyond that which was recovered in the recovery drawer  30  is needed, litter  25  can be replenished using fresh litter. After any particles of litter  25  in the recovery drawer have been dealt with, recovery drawer  30  is returned to base  20  via recovery opening  27 , as shown in  FIG.  9   . catch drawer litter box  10  is now available for additional use by cat  40 . 
     F. Alternate Embodiment (FIGS.  12 - 23 ) 
     As shown in  FIGS.  12 - 23   , an exemplary embodiment of a catch drawer litter box  10  may comprise a container  50  including an upper end  51 , a lower end  52 , a front end  53 , and a rear end  54 . A cavity  60  is defined within the container  50 , wherein the cavity  60  is divided between a recovery region  70  and a litter region  78 . An opening  59  on the front end  53  of the container  50  may lead to the recovery region  70  of the cavity  60 . A transfer opening  64  within the container may connect between the recovery region  70  and the litter region  78 . A debris container  75  is removably connected to the container  50  within the recovery region  70  of the cavity  60 . The debris container  75  may comprise a grate  76 . A cover  80  may be removably connected to the upper end  51  of the container  50 . The opening  59  on the front end  53  of the container  50  may be oriented perpendicularly with respect to the transfer opening  64 . A divider  61  may be positioned in the cavity  60  between the recovery region  70  and the litter region  78 . The divider  61  may comprise a first portion  62  and a second portion  63 , with the first portion  62  being comprised of less height than the second portion  63 . 
     The transfer opening  64  may be defined by the first portion  62  of the divider  61 . A volume of litter  44  may be stored within the litter region  78  of the cavity  60  of the container  50 . The container  50  may comprise a first window  58  on the front end  53  of the container  50  and a second window  58  on the rear end  54  of the container  50 . A flange  72  may be positioned within the recovery region  70  of the cavity  60  for removably securing the debris container  75  within the recovery region  70  of the cavity  60 . 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a catch drawer litter box  10  may comprise a container  50  including an upper end  51 , a lower end  52 , a front end  53 , and a rear end  54 . A cavity  60  may be defined within the container  50 , including a divider  61  within the cavity  60  for dividing the cavity  60  of the container  50  between a recovery region  70  and a litter region  78 . An opening  59  on the front end  53  of the container  50  is shown leading to the recovery region  70  of the cavity  60 . A transfer opening  64  within the container  50  connects between the recovery region  70  and the litter region  78 . A debris container  75  is removably connected to the container  50  within the recovery region  70  of the cavity  60 . 
     The debris container  75  may comprise a grate  76  on an upper end of the debris container  75 . The debris container  75  may be adapted to be slid into and out of the cavity  60  through the opening  59  on the front end  53  of the container  50 . The opening  59  on the front end  53  of the container  50  may be oriented at a right angle with respect to the transfer opening  64 . The divider  61  may comprise a first portion  62  and a second portion  63 , wherein the first portion  62  is connected to the front end  53  of the container  50  and the second portion  63  is connected to the rear end  54  of the container  50 . The second portion  63  may be comprised of less height than the first portion  62  such that the transfer opening  64  is defined by the second portion  63  of the divider  61 . A volume of litter  44  may be stored within the litter region  78  of the cavity  60  of the container  50 . The cavity  60  may include a flange  72  within the recovery region  70  of the cavity  60  for removably securing the debris container  75  within the recovery region  70  of the cavity  60 . 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, a catch drawer litter box  10  may comprise a container  50  including an upper end  51 , a lower end  52 , a front end  53 , and a rear end  54 . A cover  80  may be removably connected to the upper end of the container  50 , wherein the cover  80  comprises a vent  82 . A cavity  60  may be defined within the container  50 , including a divider  61  within the cavity  60  for dividing the cavity  60  of the container  50  between a recovery region  70  and a litter region  78 , wherein the divider  61  comprises a first portion  62  having a first height and a second portion  63  having a second height, wherein the first height is greater than the second height. An opening  59  on the front end  53  of the container  50  may lead to the recovery region  70  of the cavity  60 . A transfer opening  64  within the container  50  may be connected between the recovery region  70  and the litter region  78 , wherein the transfer opening  64  is defined by the second portion  63  of the divider  61 , wherein the transfer opening  64  is oriented at a right angle with respect to the opening  59  on the front end  53  of the container  50 . A debris container  75  may be removably connected to the container  50  within the recovery region  70  of the cavity  60 , wherein an upper end of the debris container  75  comprises a grate  76 . 
     i. Container 
     As best shown in  FIGS.  12 - 16   , an exemplary embodiment may comprise a container  50  includes an upper end  51 , a lower end  52 , a front end  53 , a rear end  54 , a first side  55 , and a second side  56 . The container  50  may comprise various shapes and sizes to suit different applications, such as different sizes of animals. The upper end  51  of the container  50  may comprise an upper opening  66  leading to an internal cavity  60 . A cover  80  may be removably connected to the upper end  51  of the container  50  to selectively cover the upper opening  66  as discussed below. 
     The lower end  52  of the container  50  may be positioned upon a ground surface. The container  50  may include handle depressions  57  such as shown in  FIGS.  15  and  16   , in which an exemplary embodiment is illustrated having a pair of handle depressions  57  each of the first and second sides  55 ,  56  of the container  50  near its upper end  51 . These handle depressions  57  may aid in lifting and moving the container  50  if needed, such as for cleaning, storage, or transport. In other embodiments, other types of handles known in the art may be utilized, such as hinged external handles. 
     The container  50  may comprise windows  58  which provide ventilation within the container  50  and provide vision both into the container  50  by an owner and out of the container  50  by an animal  40 . The number, shape, size, and positioning of the windows  58  may vary in different embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG.  15   , a pair of windows  58  is illustrated on each of the front and rear ends  53 ,  54  of the container  50  near its upper end  51 . 
     ii. Cavity 
     The container  50  may comprise an entry opening  59  which leads to the internal cavity  60  of the container  50 . An animal  40  will generally enter and exit the container through the entry opening  59  such as shown in  FIGS.  19  and  22   . The entry opening  59  may be positioned at various locations on the container  50 . In an exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG.  12   , the entry opening  59  is positioned on the front end  53  of the container  50  near its first side  55 . Reverse positioning may be utilized such as, for example, the entry opening  59  being positioned near the second side  56  of the container  50 . 
     The shape and size of the entry opening  59  may vary depending on the size of the container  50  and the animal  40  being serviced. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS.  12  and  13   , the entry opening  59  extends substantially the height between the lower end  52  and the upper end  51  of the container  50 . Taller containers  50  may utilize respectively shorter entry openings  59 . The entry opening  59  shown in  FIG.  12    is comprised of a dome-shaped opening having vertical sides and a curved, semi-circular top. 
     As best shown in  FIGS.  15 - 23   , the cavity  60  of the container  50  may be divided between a recovery region  70  and a litter region  78 . The recovery region  70  is generally positioned at the entry point of the container  50 , such as behind the entry opening  59 . The recovery region  70  is utilized for the animal  40  to clear debris  46  off its paws prior to exiting the container  50  after using the litter region  78 . The litter region  78  is utilized by the animal  40  during excretion of waste  45 . 
     A cleaning tool  42  such as a scoop may be stored within the cavity  60 , such as within the recovery region  70  as shown in  FIG.  15   . The manner in which the cleaning tool  42  may be stored within the cavity  60  may vary in different embodiments. As a non-limiting example,  FIG.  15    illustrates that the cleaning tool  42  may be hung from a wall within the cavity  60 . In some embodiments, the container  50  may comprise an opening where a hook may be inserted on which to hang the cleaning tool  42 . In other embodiments, a shelf, looped connectors, adhesives, or other methods may be utilized for removably securing the cleaning tool  42  within the cavity  60 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  16 - 23   , the cavity  60  of the container  50  may include a divider  61  which is positioned between the recovery region  70  and the litter region  78  of the container  50 . The divider  61  may serve as a barrier between the recovery region  70  and litter region  78 . The shape, size, orientation, and positioning of the divider  61  may vary between different embodiments. 
     The exemplary embodiment shown in the figures illustrates the divider  61  as being offset from the centerline of the container  50  between its first and second sides  55 ,  56 . This configuration results in a recovery region  70  which is narrower in width than the litter region  78 . It should be appreciated that alternate placements of the divider  61  in different embodiments may result in different width ratios between the recovery and litter regions  70 ,  78 . For example, the divider  61  could be positioned at the halfway point between the first and second sides  55 ,  56  of the container  50 , resulting in recovery and litter regions  70 ,  78  which are of equal width. Alternatively, the divider  61  could be positioned such that the recovery region  70  is wider than the litter region  78 . 
     The divider  61  may include a transfer opening  64  through which the animal  40  may transit between the recovery region  70  and the litter region  78 . The animal  40  will generally walk through the transfer opening  64  in a first direction to go from the recovery region  70  to the litter region  78 , and then return through the transfer opening  64  in a second direction to go from the litter region  78  to the recovery region  70 . 
       FIGS.  15  and  16    illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a divider  61  in use to separate the cavity  60  of the container  50  between a recovery region  70  and a litter region  78 . The illustrated embodiment utilizes a divider  61  which has a first portion  62  and a second portion  63 . The first portion  62  extends at a first height from the front of the container  50  toward the rear of the container  50 . The second portion  63  extends at a second height from the rear of the container  50  toward the front of the container  50  to meet halfway with the first portion  62 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion  63  is shorter than the first portion  62  so as to define the transfer opening  64  between the regions  70 ,  78 . It should be appreciated that the reverse configuration could be utilized, with the first portion  62  being shorter in height than the second portion  63 . In other embodiments, the divider  61  may comprise a uniform height, with the transfer opening  64  being formed within the divider  61 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS.  15  and  16   , the cavity  60  of the container  50  is divided between a recovery region  70  and a litter region  78 . The recovery region  70  is positioned at the entry/exit point for the cavity  60  of the container  50  directly behind the entry opening  59  on the front end  53  of the container  50 . After an animal  40  such as a cat has used the litter region  78 , the animal  40  will be forced to pass through the recovery region  70  which will clear its paws of debris prior to exiting the container  50 . 
     iii. Debris Container 
     As shown in  FIGS.  16 - 18   , the recovery region  70  may include a debris container  75  which covers the lower end  52  of the container  50 . While the figures illustrate that the debris container  75  is removably connected to the container  50 , it should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the debris container  75  may be fixedly or integrally connected to the container  50 . 
     The debris container  75  will generally include a grate  76  at its upper surface, with a cavity defined beneath the grate  76 . The grate  76  is configured such that debris  46  will be drawn off of the paws of the animal  40  and fall through the grate  76  into the debris container  75  to be retrieved and cleared later. The shape, size, and number of openings that form the grate  76  may vary in different embodiments and should not be construed as limited by the exemplary figures. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  17  and  23   , an exemplary embodiment may comprise a debris container  75  which is removably connected to the container  50 . In such an embodiment, the debris container  75  may be inserted into the container  50  and removed from the container  50  through the entry opening  59 . As shown in  FIG.  13   , the debris container  75  may include a handle  77 . 
     The cavity  60  of the container  50  may include a flange  72  which acts as a guide for the debris container  75  as it is inserted into or removed from the cavity  60  of the container  50 . Projections such as tabs or the like may be utilized to selectively and removably engage with the debris container  75  so that it may be removably secured within the container  50 . Although not shown, various other devices could be utilized to removably secure the debris container  75  within the cavity  60 , such as but not limited to clasps, brackets, buckles, ties, magnets, fasteners, and the like. 
     iv. Cover 
     As shown in  FIGS.  14  and  15   , a cover  80  may be removably connected to the upper end  51  of the container  50  so as to selectively cover the upper opening  66  of the cavity  60 . The cover  80  may comprise substantially the same shape and/or size as the upper end  51  of the container  50 , or may comprise different shapes and/or sizes. The cover  80  may be connected by frictional engagement such as shown in the figures, or may be secured by other methods such as but not limited to clasps, brackets, buckles, ties, magnets, fasteners, and the like. A vent  82  may be positioned on the cover  80  such as shown in  FIG.  14    to provide venting to the cavity  60  when it is covered by the cover  80 . In some embodiments, the vent  82  may be configured to receive a filter, such as a charcoal filter to reduce odors permeating from the cavity  60 . 
     v. Operation of Alternate Embodiment 
       FIGS.  19 - 22    illustrate the catch drawer litter box  10  in use. As seen in  FIG.  19   , an animal  40  such as a cat will first enter into the cavity  60  through the entry opening  59  of the container  50 . After passing through the entry opening  59 , the animal  40  will be in the recovery region  70  standing on the grate  76  as shown in  FIG.  19   . 
     As shown in  FIG.  20   , the animal  40  may then turn at a right angle to traverse through the transfer opening  64  into the litter region  78  which will have previously been filled with litter  44 . The litter  44  may be stored directly within the litter region  78  of the container  50 , or a separate litter box may be positioned within the litter region  78 , with the separate litter box storing the litter  44 . In either case, the animal  40  will stay within the litter region  78  to evacuate waste  45  such as feces. Animals  40  such as cats will often play with or bury the waste  45 , which collects debris  46  such as clumps of litter  44  on the paws of the animals  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  21   , after eliminating waste  45  in the litter  44  of the litter region  78 , the animal  40  will pass back through the transfer opening  64  and into the recovery region  70 . The animal  40  is forced to pass through the recovery region  70  to exit the container  50  so that the recovery region  70  may recovery debris  46  from the paws of the animal  40 . When passing over the recovery region  70 , debris  46  will fall off of the paws of the animal  40 , through the grate  76 , and into the debris container  75 . The animal  40  may then pass through the entry opening  59  to exit the container  50  as shown in  FIG.  22   . 
     As shown in  FIG.  23   , the debris container  75  may be periodically removed through the entry opening  59  to be emptied. In some embodiments, the grate  76  may be removable so that the debris container  75  may be dumped out, such as in the trash or recycled back into the litter region  78 . The debris container  75  may then be reinserted into the container  50  through the entry opening  59  and secured therein by the flange  72  and projection  73  such as shown in  FIG.  16    awaiting further use. The litter  44  may also be periodically cleaned out of the litter region  78  and replaced with clean litter  44  as needed. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the catch drawer litter box, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The catch drawer litter box may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.