US Patent 9505530 Spill-preventing snack container and dispenser

A food dispensing container having a removable dispensing member that includes a hinged flow gate configured to cover, in a closed position, a corresponding aperture in a bottom of a dispensing compartment of the dispensing member. The dispensing member also includes a hinged lid configured to cover a top of the dispensing compartment, the hinged lid having a notch that allows a range of rotation of the hinged flow gate when the hinged lid is in a closed position covering the top of the dispensing compartment and the rotation of the hinged flow gate opening the corresponding aperture when the food dispensing container is tilted from an upright position. The hinged lid and the hinged flow gate interlock, limiting the hinged flow gate to the closed position, when the hinged lid is in an open position uncovering the top of the dispensing compartment.