Abstract: A dispensing hopper (1) for dispensing particulate material comprises a base (3) having a pair of inclined base portions (11) inclining downwardly inwardly towards a dispensing channel (14) of semi-circular transverse cross-section. A dispensing auger (18) located in the dispensing channel (14) urges powder material along the dispensing channel (14) through a dispensing outlet port (15). Agitating discs (30), which are rotatably mounted on the inclined base portions (11), are each provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart gear teeth (36) extending radially from the outer periphery (35) thereof. The gear teeth (36) of the agitating discs (30) engage a flight (21) of the dispensing auger (18) so that as the dispensing auger (18) rotates the agitating discs (30) are rotated. The gear teeth (36) of the agitating discs (30) act on the powder material in the hopper (1) in order to prevent bridging of the powder material over the auger (18).

Abstract: A method of treating a liquid medium to remove from it matter present therein comprises adding to the liquid medium at least one of an at least partially undried sorbing agent (a), a freshly prepared sorbing agent (b) and an in-situ sorbing agent (c). Sorbing agent (a) comprises a hydrotalcite-like material resulting from the preparation thereof in a liquid reaction medium, which preparation allows retention, in the hydrotalcite-like material, of at least 10% of free liquid, based on the weight of the hydrotalcite-like material, including the free liquid, and (a).sub.1 which sorbing agent is present in an amount, on a dry weight basis, of the sorbing agent, by volume of the liquid medium to be treated, of .ltoreq.0.035% w/v, or (a).sub.2 the preparation of the hydrotalcite-like material is such as to provide a grain size of the hydrotalcite-like material of .ltoreq.130 .ANG., as measured in the <001> direction by x-ray diffraction on a subsequently dried material.

Abstract: The removal of organo-toxins from aqueous sources can be achieved efficiently by contacting the water source with hydrotalcite-like materials. The toxins include organo-chlorines, insect resist agents, and wool treatment byproducts.

Abstract: It is necessary to remove unbound reactive dyes from the surfaces of textile substrates treated with dyes of this class; this is to ensure the dyed substrate is fast. In the invention dye is removed from a wash medium by contracting the medium with an absorbent, preferably a hydrotalcite-like material, which removes suspended dye. This removal allows re-use of the wash medium or its disposal.

Abstract: A detergent composition comprising a detergent active system, and a hydrotalcite-like material as defined in formula I,M.sub.k+m N.sub.n+p (OH).sub.2 A.sub.2.sup.Y- x. H.sub.2 O IM is any 1+ or 2+ cation or combination thereof;N is any 3+ or 4+ cation or combination thereof;K is the sum of the individual mole fractions of the 1+ cations;m is the sum of the individual mole fractions of the 2+ cations;n is the sum of the individual mole fractions of the 3+ cations;p is the sum of the individual mole fractions of the 4+ cations where either but not both of k and m or n and p can be zero and k+m+n+p=1.such compositons can be effective in removing unwanted colorants from detergent wash liquors thereby reducing colorant transfer in the wash.