Abstract: 3,6-Dimethyl-3-hydroxy-oct-1-ynes and -oct-1-enes and their esters with lower alkanoic acids, of the general formula I ##STR1## where X and Y are H or the two X's and/or the two Y's together are a further bond between the carbon atoms on which they are present, and R is H, --CO--CH.sub.3, --CO--C.sub.2 H.sub.5 or --CO--C.sub.3 H.sub.7, their use as scents, and a process for the preparation of 3,6-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-octane. The novel compounds exhibit interesting, predominantly floral, woody, herbal and fruity notes. The alcohols of the formula I are of particular importance because they serve as intermediates for a novel and particularly advantageous method of obtaining 3,6-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-octane, a compound required in large amounts as a fragrance for soaps and detergents.

Abstract: A tape cartridge assembly and tape transport apparatus for use therewith, comprising a cartridge housing which is provided internally with holding means for a hub bearing a roll of magnetic tape, the roll of tape being accessible from outside, receiving means for the cartridge housing and the hub being provided on the apparatus, by which means the peripheral surface of the roll of magnetic tape can be brought into contact with a drive member.

Abstract: A positioning device for a magnetic head of a magnetic tape recorder, comprising a head carrier which can be moved transversely of the magnetic tape by means of a threaded spindle and a follower, the head carrier being provided with a signal transducer for controlling the drive motor for the threaded spindle.

Abstract: 2-(1-methyl-eth-1-en-1-yl)-,2-(1-methyl-prop-1-en-1-yl)-, 2-(eth-1-en-1-yl)- and 2-(prop-1-en-1-yl)-4-methyl-2,3-dihydro-6H-pyrans substituted in the 2-position of the side chain by hydroxymethyl, acyloxymethyl, alkoxycarbonylmethyl, halomethyl or formyl. The novel 4-methyl-2,3-dihydro-6H-pyrans are obtained by reaction of 3-methyl-but-3-en-1-ol with an appropriately substituted unsaturated aldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst. The products possess very interesting organoleptic properties.

Abstract: A tape guide, especially a tape guide of large surface area for high-speed tape transport apparatus, having at least on the tape guide surface a mixture of plastics material and lubricant exhibiting a specific surface roughness and a specific coefficient of friction, the said mixture consisting of 10 to 70 percent by weight of lubricant, e.g. natural graphite, molybdenum disulfide and/or tungsten disulfide, and 90 to 30 percent by weight of plastics material, e.g. polyoxymethylene, polyethylene and polypropylene. The plastic/lubricant mixture may also be in the form of a strip-like element fastened to a backing member. The tape guide can be used for any type of tape transport apparatus, especially in video recording equipment employing magnetic tape on which the signals are recorded in longitudinal tracks.

Abstract: New derivatives of 8-dehydro-vitamin A obtained by vinylating or ethynylating and subsequently partially hydrogenating, 1-[3-methyl-octa-1-yne,3,5,-dien-7-on-1-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-cyclohex-1-ene or its 5- and/or 6-methyl derivatives, converting the resulting alcohols to the corresponding derivatives of 8-dehydro-vitamin A halides by reacting with thionyl chloride or phosgene, and if required converting the resulting alcohols or halides to the corresponding trialkylphosphonium salts or triarylphosphonium salts, or reacting the 8-dehydro-vitamin A halide derivatives with alkali metal salts or alkaline earth metal salts or anhydrides of lower carboxylic acids. The new compounds can be partially hydrogenated to the corresponding polyene compounds, in which case the cis-trans isomer mixtures first obtained can be rearranged in the conventional manner to the physiologically active all-trans compounds.

Abstract: Bis-epoxy-dialkoxy-alkanes are valuable intermediates for the preparation of the sought-after aromatic 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrofuran-3-one. The novel bis-epoxy-dialkoxy-alkanes are obtained by reacting the corresponding .alpha.,.alpha.'-dihalo-1,2-diketones with an alkali metal hydroxide or an alkali metal alkoxide and an alkanol at from -20.degree. to +100.degree. C. To prepare the 2,5-dialkyl-4-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-furan-3-ones, which are valuable aromatics, the novel bis-epoxy-dialkoxy-alkanes are heated with strong mineral acids or strong organic acids at from 60.degree. to 120.degree. C.

Abstract: New thiophene compounds and a new process for the manufacture of thiophene compounds by dehydrogenating dihydrothiophene with certain halogen compounds. The products are starting materials for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, dyes and plant protection agents and, in particular, for the manufacture of additives to foodstuffs, feeds, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: New thiophene compounds and a new process for the manufacture of thiophene compounds by dehydrogenating dihydrothiophene with certain halogen compounds. The products are starting materials for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, dyes and plant protection agents and, in particular, for the manufacture of additives to foodstuffs, feeds, beverages and pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A tape guide, especially a guide for thin magnetic tapes which are subjected to strong acceleration forces in the longitudinal direction, and a tape transport apparatus with a central capstan, comprising such a tape guide. The tape guide includes one or two rotatable, but fixedly arranged guide rollers having flanges arranged around part of the periphery thereof, which flanges each have an ingress and an egress chamfer for the tape. When one guide roller is used, the magnetic head is positioned between a tape reel and the guide roller and, when two guide rollers are used, it is positioned between the said two rollers, the magnetic head bearing against the unsupported span of tape in each case. The tape guide may be provided with means for producing cushions of air for stabilizing the roller as it rotates.

Abstract: 1-[3-Methyl-3,5,5-trialkoxy-pent-1-yn-1-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-cyclohex-1-enes, which may or may not be methyl-substituted in the 2- and/or 6-position, are obtained by reacting the corresponding 1-[3-methyl-but-1-yn-3-en-1-yl]-2,6-dimethyl-cyclohex-1-enes with orthoformic acid esters in the presence of acid condensing agents. The new compounds provide a new method of access to the compounds of carotinoid chemistry, especially to vitamin A, which avoids the conventional expensive synthesis via phosphorus ylide compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tape transport mechanism, particularly an improved contact winding tape transport system modified to protect it against tape transport disturbances occasioned by mechanical impacts. A shock-resisting coupling means is provided which is allocated to the reel carriers and which allows slow movements of the carriers toward and away from a drive capstan during normal working of the mechanism but prevents sudden movements of the carriers induced by mechanical shocks for instance. Piston/cylinder assemblies and magnetic rope/drum arrangements are disclosed as such shock-resisting means. The transport mechanism can be used advantageously in portable apparatus, preferably in magnetic tape recorders and especially in video cameras.

Abstract: Novel 2-methylene-3-methyl-3-(1',3'-pentadien-1'-yl)-bicyclo-[2,2,1]-heptanes substituted in the 4'-position by methyl, alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, hydroxymethyl or cyano are obtained by reacting the novel aldehyde 2-methylene-3-methyl-3-formyl-bicyclo-[2,2,1]-heptane with 3-methyl-, 3-alkoxycarbonyl- or acetalized 3-formyl-2-butene-1-triarylphosphorylidene under the conditions of a Wittig reaction, with or without hydrolytic cleavage of the acetal group, or hydrolytic cleavage of the acetal group followed by reduction of the formyl group to the hydroxymethyl group, or hydrolytic cleavage of the acetal group, reaction of the aldehyde with a hydroxylammonium salt, and dehydration of the resulting oxime.The novel compounds are distinguished by interesting scent characteristics.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for tape-like recording media in which a central capstan having a resilient peripheral portion simultaneously drives two tape reels. According to the invention, this peripheral portion has regions of different resilience produced, for example, by an elastically deformable annular insert which may be helical in shape. The tape transport apparatus of the invention can be advantageously used with all kinds of tape-like recording media, especially magnetic tapes for the recording/playback of high frequency signals, especially color video signals.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of hydroxycitronellol by an addition reaction of water with citronellol. This reaction takes place directly on heating a homogeneous solution of citronellol in a mixture of water and an .alpha.-methyl-branched lower alkanol in the presence of a strongly acid ion exchanger.Hydroxycitronellol may be used as a fragrance material and is an important intermediate for the preparation of the highly desired scent hydroxycitronellal.

Abstract: 2-Halomethyl-, 2-alkoxymethyl- and 2-acyloxymethyl-3-methyl-3-formyl-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane and -hept-5-ene and a process for their preparation.The new compounds are obtained by reacting cyclopentadiene or dicyclopentadiene with the corresponding 4-halo-, 4-alkoxy- or 4-acyloxy-2-methyl-crotonaldehydes under the conventional conditions for Diels-Alder reactions, with or without subsequent catalytic hydrogenation of the Diels-Alder adduct obtained. The new compounds provide an industrially easily realized and advantageous method of synthesis of the sought-after essential ingredients of natural sandalwood oils.

Abstract: A magnetic head positioning device for multi-track tape recorders consisting essentially of a pivotally mounted head carrier which pivots in a plane at right angles to the plane of the tape. In every position of the head carrier, the head is substantially at right angles to the surface of the tape to be scanned, and the distance between the head and the pivotal axis of the carrier is many times greater than the width of the magnetic tape. In one embodiment, the head carrier is in the form of a lever having an offset portion and is pivotally mounted opposite the capstan. In another embodiment a straight lever is provided which is pivotally mounted on the capstan side of the recorder. In a further embodiment of the invention, the end of the lever which carries the magnetic head can be pivoted in a slot in a tape guide in a plane substantially at right angles to the guide surface. The device is used preferentially for transports for very flexible tapes and extremely high track densities.

Abstract: 3-Halosulfonylthiophene-carboxylic acid compounds are manufactured by reacting 3-ketothiophane-carboxylic acid compounds with sulfonic acid compounds, reacting the end product from the 1st reaction stage with alkali metal polysulfides, reacting the end product from the 2nd stage with a dehydrogenating agent and finally reacting the end product from the 3rd stage with halogen and water. The products are starting compounds for the manufacture of drugs, dyes and crop protection agents and have an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-rheumatic action. In particular, the end products I are starting materials for the manufacture of sweeteners which are non-toxic and free from an after-taste, flavor-improving agents, diabetic aids and feedstuffs, and provide the means of a simple and economical synthesis of thiophene-saccharins.

Abstract: New polycyclic Diels-Alder adducts which are formed on reaction of 8-vinyl-tricyclo-[5,2,1,0.sup.2,6 ]-dec-8-ene or 8-hydroxy-8-vinyl-tricyclo-[5,2,1,0.sup.2,6 ]-decane with alkenes or alkynes having one or two activating substituents, e.g., --COOH, --COOCH.sub.3, --COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5, --CHO, --COCH.sub.3, --COC.sub.2 H.sub.5 or --CN. They have green, fresh, fruity and in some cases woody odors with long-lasting tenacity and/or fixing properties. They can be used as constituents of perfumes and of compositions for perfuming body care products, detergents and other consumer products.

Abstract: The opening for charging a coking chamber of a coking oven is closed by closure means and a lock chamber is arranged outside the closure means for preventing any emissions from the coking chamber seeping past the closure means to pass to the outer atmosphere.