(19)
(11) EP 3 440 292 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
13.05.2020 Bulletin 2020/20

(21) Application number: 17719509.6

(22) Date of filing: 07.04.2017
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
E05B 73/00(2006.01)
(86) International application number:
PCT/EP2017/058411
(87) International publication number:
WO 2017/174790 (12.10.2017 Gazette 2017/41)

(54)

ANTI-SHOPLIFTING DEVICE

ANTI-DIEBSTAHLVORRICHTUNG

DISPOSITIF ANTI-VOL


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30) Priority: 07.04.2016 EP 16164216

(43) Date of publication of application:
13.02.2019 Bulletin 2019/07

(73) Proprietor: PLASTI-MAX SpA
24064 Grumello Del Monte BG (IT)

(72) Inventor:
  • MAZZUCCHELLI, Corrado
    I-24064 Grumello del Monte (BG) (IT)

(74) Representative: Giavarini, Francesco et al
Zanoli & Giavarini S.p.A. Via Melchiorre Gioia, 64
20125 Milano
20125 Milano (IT)


(56) References cited: : 
WO-A1-01/79635
WO-A1-2011/043916
WO-A1-2008/031325
US-A1- 2010 171 620
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to an anti-theft device, in particular an anti-shoplifting device for packaging products in blister-type packs and the like.

    [0002] As known, some products are packaged for the display and sale in plastic sealed containers normally referred to as "blisters" or "blister packs".

    [0003] In particular, for medium or small size products, the blister type packaging normally provides for the presence of a slot in the casing so as to allow the hanging of the pack to appropriate displays.

    [0004] However, such products can be easily removed from the display and, due to the relative little dimensions, they can be stolen easily.

    [0005] It is also know to use devices containing alarm systems that can be attached to the product so as to signal an unauthorized pass through check gates. Said devices generally comprises mechanically coupled portions that can be separated from each other only by using special devices, e.g. special screw drivers, in order to allow their removal form the product. The operation of correct removal of the anti-shoplifting devices of known type by authorized people can be therefore somehow cumbersome and complicated.

    [0006] Moreover, existing anti-shoplifting devices in some cases do not prevent the opening of the blister pack to which they are attached and the unauthorized removal of product contained inside the pack. Anti-shoplifting devices according to the preamble of claim 1 are disclosed by e.g. US 2010/171620 A1, WO 01/79635 A1, WO 2011/043916 A1 and WO 2008/031325 A1.

    [0007] It is therefore desirable to have an anti-shoplifting device that would prevent such problems. Hence, the present disclosure is aimed at providing an anti-shoplifting device, which allows overcoming at least some of the above-mentioned shortcomings.

    [0008] In particular, the present invention is aimed at providing an anti-shoplifting device, which can be easily fixed on the blister packs to be protected.

    [0009] Furthermore, the present invention is aimed at providing an anti-shoplifting device, which can be easily removed by authorized people from the blister pack to which it is attached and, at the same time, its removal by not-authorized people is extremely difficult - if not impossible - without damaging the device and/or the blister pack.

    [0010] Moreover, the present invention is aimed at providing an anti-shoplifting device, which can be easily manufactured with a relatively low number of components and at competitive costs. Thus, the present invention relates to an anti-shoplifting device for products packaged in blister packs comprising a first shaped body, and a second shaped body which is slidably coupled to said first shaped body and movable between a first open position and a second closed position of said device; the device further comprises first engagement means which are positioned on said first shaped body and adapted to engage with a slot arranged on said blister packs, second engagement means which are positioned on said second shaped body, adapted to engage with said first engagement means and adapted to prevent the disengagement of said first engagement means from said slot arranged on said blister pack when said second shaped body is in said second closed position, reversible locking means which are positioned within said device and are movable between a first locking position of a relative sliding movement of said first and second shaped body and a second unlocking position of said relative sliding movement of said first and second shaped body; said first locking position being automatically activated when passing from said first open position to said second closed position of said device, said second unlocking position being activated by magnetic means externally applied to said device.

    [0011] As better explained in the following description, thanks to the particular structure of the anti-shoplifting device of the present invention the above-mentioned problems can be avoided, and the whole system is flexible, simple, and very easy to operate.

    [0012] Indeed, the anti-shoplifting device of the present invention can be easily fitted to a blister pack and can be easily removed by authorized people using relatively simple magnetic means. At the same time, its removal from the blister pack by not-authorized people is extremely difficult - if not impossible - without damaging the device and/or the blister pack. According to the invention, the anti-shoplifting device of the invention comprises a third shaped body for the containment of alarm means, said third shaped body being positioned within said device between said first and said second shaped body.

    [0013] Preferably, the anti-shoplifting device of the invention comprises a fourth shaped body positioned within said device for maintaining in position said reversible locking means.

    [0014] In a preferred embodiment of the anti-shoplifting device of the invention said reversible locking means comprise a pin, a screw and a spring.

    [0015] In such a case, as better explained in the following detailed description, when the device is in said second closed position said pin is pushed by said spring in said first locking position thereby locking the relative sliding movement of said first and second shaped body.

    [0016] Moreover, in such embodiments said pin is movable from said first locking position to said second unlocking position by magnetic means applied externally to said device, thereby allowing the relative movement of the said first and second shaped body and the possible opening of the device.

    [0017] In a preferred embodiment of the anti-shoplifting device of the invention said first engagement means comprise a tab positioned on said first shaped body.

    [0018] In such a case, said second engagement means comprise a first and a second pin positioned on said second shaped body and adapted to engage respectively in a corresponding first and second hole positioned on said tab.

    [0019] Preferably, the anti-shoplifting device of the invention comprises guide means of said relative sliding movement of said first and second shaped body.

    [0020] The device according to the present invention conveniently comprises hanging means so as to allow its hanging to a display device.

    [0021] Furthermore, the device according to the invention does not allow unauthorized opening of the blister pack and the removal of the object housed into it.

    [0022] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more clear from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of an anti-shoplifting device according to the invention, shown by way of examples in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
    • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an anti-shoplifting device according to the invention in the open position;
    • Figure 2 is a front view of the anti-shoplifting device of Figure 1;
    • Figure 3 is a top view of the anti-shoplifting device of Figure 1;
    • Figure 4 is a side view of the anti-shoplifting device of Figure 1;
    • Figure 5 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an anti-shoplifting device according to the invention in the closed position;
    • Figure 6 is a top view of the anti-shoplifting device of Figure 5;
    • Figure 7 is a side view of the anti-shoplifting device of Figure 5;
    • Figure 8 is a front view of the anti-shoplifting device of Figure 5;
    • Figures 9 is a back view of the anti-shoplifting device of Figure 5;
    • Figures 10 is a section view of the anti-shoplifting device of Figure 5;
    • Figure 11 is an exploded view of the anti-shoplifting device of Figures 1 and 5.


    [0023] With reference to the attached figure, the anti-shoplifting device for products packaged in blister packs, designated with the reference numeral 1, comprises in its more general embodiment a first shaped body 2 and a second shaped body 3 which is slidably coupled to said first shaped body 2, so that the first 2 and the second 3 shaped bodies are relatively movable between a first open position and a second closed position of said device 1.

    [0024] For instance, the anti-shoplifting device 1 for products packaged in blister packs according to the invention can comprises guide means 21 and 22 which are positioned on said first shaped body so as to guide the relative sliding movement of said first 2 and second 3 shaped body. In the embodiment shown in attached figures, the guide means 21 and 22 are provided with a slot into which a protrusion of the second shaped body 3 can slide (e.g. the profile 32 of the second shaped body 3 that can slide into the slot provided on the guide means 22 of the first shaped body 2). Other equivalent means can also be used.

    [0025] Furthermore, the anti-shoplifting device 1 comprises first engagement means 24 which are positioned on said first shaped body 2 and are adapted to engage with a slot arranged on said blister packs; the anti-shoplifting device 1 also comprises second engagement means which are positioned on said second shaped body 3 and are adapted to engage with said first engagement means 24 so as to prevent the disengagement of said first engagement means 24 from said slot arranged on said blister pack when said second shaped body 3 is in said second closed position.

    [0026] In other words, the anti-shoplifting device 1 is applied to a blister pack by inserting the first engagement means 24 in an appropriate slot of the blister pack and is then closed by sliding the second shaped body 3 with respect to the first shaped body 2 and by engaging the second engagement means with the first engagement means 24.

    [0027] In practice, starting from the configuration of figure 1 where the anti-shoplifting device 1 is in the open position, the tab 24 is inserted into a corresponding slot in a blister pack (not shown). Then, with reference to figure 5, the second shaped body 3 slides (toward the left-hand side of the figure) with respect to the first shaped body 2, so as achieve the closed configuration of the anti-shoplifting device 1.

    [0028] The anti-shoplifting device 1 of the invention further comprises reversible locking means which are positioned within said device 1 and are movable between a first locking position of a relative sliding movement of said first 2 and second 3 shaped body, and a second unlocking position of said relative sliding movement.

    [0029] The first locking position is automatically activated when passing from said first open position to said second closed position of said anti-shoplifting device 1, and the second unlocking position is activated by magnetic means externally applied to said anti-shoplifting device 1.

    [0030] In practice, when the anti-shoplifting device 1 is put on the blister pack to be protected and closed as previously described, the reversible locking means automatically lock the relative sliding movement of said first 2 and second 3 shaped body thereby preventing the possibility to remove the anti-shoplifting device 1 from the blister pack. The removal of the anti-shoplifting device 1 from the blister pack can be achieved only by using appropriate magnetic means externally applied to said second 3 shaped body, e.g., only by authorized personnel of the shop.

    [0031] Alarm means are normally placed inside the device 1 so as to signal the unauthorized passage through, e.g., check gates.

    [0032] In this respect, the anti-shoplifting device 1 of the present invention comprises a third shaped body 4 for the containment of said alarm means, said third shaped body 4 being positioned within said anti-shoplifting device 1 between said first 2 and said second 3 shaped bodies.

    [0033] Moreover, the anti-shoplifting device 1 of the invention can conveniently comprise also a fourth shaped body 5 which is positioned within said anti-shoplifting device 1 and which is used for maintaining in position said reversible locking means.

    [0034] Preferably, as illustrated in the attached figures, said reversible locking means can conveniently comprise a pin 6, a screw 7 and a spring 8.

    [0035] In such a case, with particular reference to figure 10, when the anti-shoplifting device 1 of the invention is in in said second closed position, said pin 6 is pushed by said spring 8 in said first locking position thereby locking the relative sliding movement of said first 2 and second 3 shaped body.

    [0036] Then, said pin 6 is movable from said first locking position to said second unlocking position by using appropriate magnetic means applied externally to the anti-shoplifting device 1, so as to allow the relative sliding movement of said first 2 and second 3 shaped body, with consequent opening of said device and the possible removal of the anti-shoplifting device 1 from the blister pack.

    [0037] Thus, the removal of the anti-shoplifting device 1 from the blister pack can be achieved only by authorized personnel of the shop using appropriate magnetic means externally applied to said second 3 shaped body so as to determine movement of the pin 6 from the first locking position to the second unlocking position .

    [0038] Conveniently, as shown in the attached figure, the third 4 and fourth 5 shaped bodies comprise an opening to allow the passage of the pin 6 through them when moving movable from said first locking position to said second unlocking position and vice-versa.

    [0039] According to a particular embodiment of the anti-shoplifting device 1 for products packaged in blister packs according to the invention, said first engagement means 24 can comprise a tab (or equivalent means) positioned on the internal base 25 of said first shaped body 2 at an end thereof, said tab 24 being adapted to engage in a corresponding slot of the blister pack.

    [0040] In such a case, said second engagement means can comprise suitable means adapted to engage with said tab 24. For instance, as shown in the attached figures, the second engagement means can comprise a first 341 and a second 342 pin which are positioned on said second shaped body 3 and are adapted to engage respectively in a corresponding first 241 and second 242 hole positioned on said tab 24. Alternative means, e.g. a single pin positioned on the second shaped body 3 and engageable in a single hole on the tab 24, can be used.

    [0041] It is clear from the above description that the anti-shoplifting device of the present disclosure fully achieve the intended aims.

    [0042] Indeed, the presently disclosed anti-shoplifting device can be easily fitted to a blister pack and easily removed only by authorized people with the appropriate magnetic means, whereas its non-authorized removal is extremely difficult, if not impossible without damaging the blister pack or the device.

    [0043] Moreover, the manufacturing of the presently disclosed anti-shoplifting device requires a relatively low number of components that can be easily manufactured and assembled at relatively low costs.

    [0044] Several variations can be made to the anti-shoplifting device thus conceived, all falling within the scope of the present invention, which is solely defined by the appended claims. In practice, the materials used and the contingent dimensions and shapes can be any, according to requirements and to the state of the art.


    Claims

    1. Anti-shoplifting device (1) for products packaged in blister packs comprising a first shaped body (2) and a second shaped body (3) slidably coupled to said first shaped body (2) and movable between a first open position and a second closed position of said device (1), first engagement means (24) positioned on said first shaped body (2) and adapted to engage with a slot arranged on said blister packs, second engagement means positioned on said second shaped body (3) adapted to engage with said first engagement means (24) and adapted to prevent the disengagement of said first engagement means (24) from said slot arranged on said blister pack when said second shaped body (3) is in said second closed position, reversible locking means positioned within said device (1) movable between a first locking position of a relative sliding movement of said first (2) and second (3) shaped body and a second unlocking position of said relative sliding movement of said first (2) and second (3) shaped body, said first locking position being automatically activated when passing from said first open position to said second closed position of said device (1), said second unlocking position being activated by magnetic means externally applied to said device (1), characterized in that it comprises a third shaped body (4) for the containment of alarm means, said third shaped body (4) being positioned within said device (1) between said first (2) and said second (3) shaped body.
     
    2. Anti-shoplifting device (1) for products packaged in blister packs according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a fourth shaped body (5) positioned within said device (1) for maintaining in position said reversible locking means.
     
    3. Anti-shoplifting device (1) for products packaged in blister packs according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reversible locking means comprise a pin (6), a screw (7) and a spring (8).
     
    4. Anti-shoplifting device (1) for products packaged in blister packs according to claim 3, characterized in that in said second closed position said pin (6) is pushed by said spring (8) in said first locking position thereby locking the relative sliding movement of said first (2) and second (3) shaped body.
     
    5. Anti-shoplifting device (1) for products packaged in blister packs according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said pin (6) is movable from said first locking position to said second unlocking position by magnetic means applied externally to said device (1).
     
    6. Anti-shoplifting device (1) for products packaged in blister packs according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first engagement means (24) comprise a tab positioned on said first shaped body (2).
     
    7. Anti-shoplifting device (2) for products packaged in blister packs according to claim 6, characterized in that said second engagement means comprise a first (341) and a second (342) pin positioned on said second shaped body (3) and adapted to engage respectively in a corresponding first (241) and second (242) hole positioned on said tab (24).
     
    8. Anti-shoplifting device (2) for products packaged in blister packs according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises guide means (21, 22) of said relative sliding movement of said first (2) and second (3) shaped body.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Anti-Ladendiebstahl-Vorrichtung (1) für in Blisterpaketen verpackte Produkte, aufweisend einen ersten geformten Körper (2) und einen zweiten geformten Körper (3), der mit dem ersten geformten Körper (2) gleitbar verbunden ist und zwischen einer ersten offenen Position und einer zweiten geschlossenen Position der Vorrichtung (1) bewegt werden kann, eine erste Eingriffseinrichtung (24), die sich auf dem ersten geformten Körper (2) befindet und darauf ausgelegt ist, mit einem Schlitz ineinanderzugreifen, der auf den Blisterpaketen angeordnet ist, eine zweite Eingriffseinrichtung, die sich auf dem zweiten geformten Körper (3) befindet und darauf ausgelegt ist, mit der ersten Eingriffseinrichtung (24) ineinanderzugreifen, und darauf ausgelegt, das Lösen der ersten Eingriffseinrichtung (24) von dem Schlitz, der auf dem Blisterpaket angeordnet ist, zu verhindern, wenn sich der zweite geformte Körper (3) in der zweiten geschlossenen Position befindet, eine reversible Verriegelungseinrichtung, die sich innerhalb der Vorrichtung (1) befindet und zwischen einer ersten Verriegelungsposition einer relativen Gleitbewegung des ersten (2) und zweiten (3) geformten Körpers und einer zweiten Entriegelungsposition der relativen Gleitbewegung des ersten (2) und zweiten (3) geformten Körpers bewegt werden kann, wobei die erste Verriegelungsposition automatisch aktiviert wird, wenn ein Übergang von der ersten offenen Position zu der zweiten geschlossenen Position der Vorrichtung (1) erfolgt, wobei die zweite Entriegelungsposition durch eine magnetische Einrichtung aktiviert wird, die von außen auf die Vorrichtung (1) wirkt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es einen dritten geformten Körper (4) für das Aufnehmen einer Alarmeinrichtung aufweist, wobei der dritte geformte Körper (4) innerhalb der Vorrichtung (1) zwischen dem ersten (2) und dem zweiten (3) geformten Körper positioniert ist.
     
    2. Anti-Ladendiebstahl-Vorrichtung (1) für in Blisterpaketen verpackte Produkte nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie einen vierten geformten Körper (5) aufweist, der sich innerhalb der Vorrichtung (1) befindet, um die reversible Verriegelungseinrichtung in Position zu halten.
     
    3. Anti-Ladendiebstahl-Vorrichtung (1) für in Blisterpaketen verpackte Produkte nach einem oder mehreren der vorgenannten Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die reversible Verriegelungseinrichtung einen Stift (6), eine Schraube (7) und eine Feder (8) aufweist.
     
    4. Anti-Ladendiebstahl-Vorrichtung (1) für in Blisterpaketen verpackte Produkte nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass in der zweiten geschlossenen Position der Stift (6) durch die Feder (8) in die erste Verriegelungsposition gedrückt wird, wodurch die relative Gleitbewegung des ersten (2) und zweiten (3) geformten Körpers gesperrt wird.
     
    5. Anti-Ladendiebstahl-Vorrichtung (1) für in Blisterpaketen verpackte Produkte nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Stift (6) durch eine magnetische Einrichtung, die von außen auf die Vorrichtung (1) wirkt, von der ersten Verriegelungsposition auf die zweite Entriegelungsposition bewegt werden kann.
     
    6. Anti-Ladendiebstahl-Vorrichtung (1) für in Blisterpaketen verpackte Produkte nach einem oder mehreren der vorgenannten Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Eingriffseinrichtung (24) ein Schild aufweist, das sich auf dem ersten geformten Körper (2) befindet.
     
    7. Anti-Ladendiebstahl-Vorrichtung (1) für in Blisterpaketen verpackte Produkte nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die zweite Eingriffseinrichtung einen ersten (341) und einen zweiten (342) Stift aufweist, der sich auf dem zweiten geformten Körper (3) befindet und darauf ausgelegt ist, in ein entsprechendes erstes (241) und zweites (242) Loch einzurasten, die auf dem Schild (24) ausgebildet sind.
     
    8. Anti-Ladendiebstahl-Vorrichtung (2) für in Blisterpaketen verpackte Produkte nach einem oder mehreren der vorgenannten Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie Führungseinrichtungen (21, 22) der relativen Gleitbewegung des ersten (2) und des zweiten (3) geformten Körpers aufweist.
     


    Revendications

    1. Dispositif antivol à l'étalage (1) pour des produits conditionnés dans des emballages-coques comprenant un premier corps façonné (2) et un deuxième corps façonné (3) couplé de manière coulissante audit premier corps façonné (2) et mobile entre une première position ouverte et une seconde position fermée dudit dispositif (1), un premier moyen de mise en prise (24) positionné sur ledit premier corps façonné (2) et adapté pour venir en prise avec une fente agencée sur lesdits emballages-coques, un second moyen de mise en prise positionné sur ledit deuxième corps façonné (3) adapté pour venir en prise avec ledit premier moyen de mise en prise (24) et adapté pour empêcher la désolidarisation dudit premier moyen de mise en prise (24) de ladite fente agencée sur ledit emballage-coque lorsque ledit deuxième corps façonné (3) est dans ladite seconde position fermée, un moyen de verrouillage réversible positionné à l'intérieur dudit dispositif (1) mobile entre une première position de verrouillage d'un mouvement de coulissement relatif dudit premier (2) et second (3) corps façonné et une seconde position de déverrouillage dudit mouvement de coulissement relatif dudit premier (2) et second (3) corps façonné, ladite première position de verrouillage étant automatiquement activée lors du passage de ladite première position ouverte à ladite seconde position fermée dudit dispositif (1), ladite seconde position de déverrouillage étant activée par un moyen magnétique appliqué extérieurement audit dispositif (1), caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un troisième corps façonné (4) pour le confinement d'un moyen d'alarme, ledit troisième corps façonné (4) étant positionné à l'intérieur dudit dispositif (1) entre ledit premier (2) et ledit second (3) corps façonné.
     
    2. Dispositif antivol à l'étalage (1) pour des produits conditionnés dans des emballages-coques selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un quatrième corps façonné (5) positionné à l'intérieur dudit dispositif (1) pour maintenir en position ledit moyen de verrouillage réversible.
     
    3. Dispositif antivol à l'étalage (1) pour des produits conditionnés dans des emballages-coques selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen de verrouillage réversible comprend une broche (6), une vis (7) et un ressort (8).
     
    4. Dispositif antivol à l'étalage (1) pour des produits conditionnés dans des emballages-coques selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que dans ladite seconde position fermée ladite broche (6) est poussée par ledit ressort (8) dans ladite première position de verrouillage, verrouillant ainsi le mouvement de coulissement relatif dudit premier (2) et second (3) corps façonné.
     
    5. Dispositif antivol à l'étalage (1) pour des produits conditionnés dans des emballages-coques selon la revendication 3 ou 4, caractérisé en ce que ladite broche (6) est mobile de ladite première position de verrouillage à ladite seconde position de déverrouillage par un moyen magnétique appliqué extérieurement audit dispositif (1).
     
    6. Dispositif antivol à l'étalage (1) pour des produits conditionnés dans des emballages-coques selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit premier moyen de mise en prise (24) comprend une patte positionnée sur ledit premier corps façonné (2).
     
    7. Dispositif antivol à l'étalage (2) pour des produits conditionnés dans des emballages-coques selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que ledit second moyen de mise en prise comprend une première (341) et une seconde (342) broche positionnée sur ledit deuxième corps façonné (3) et adaptée pour venir en prise respectivement dans un premier (241) et un second (242) trou correspondant positionné sur ladite patte (24).
     
    8. Dispositif antivol à l'étalage (2) pour des produits conditionnés dans des emballages-coques selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un moyen de guidage (21, 22) dudit mouvement de coulissement relatif dudit premier (2) et second (3) corps façonné.
     




    Drawing





























    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description