laravel 5.1 download docx file not working

Im trying to force the download a docx file from a folder (named 'cvs') in the public folder and is not working. I don't get an error it just shows a lot of weird symbols in the console instead of pushing the download. in my controler what i do is this:

return response()->download(public_path('cvs/56_dummyFile.pdf', 'CV-'.$details['applicant'].$doxType));

Note: $doxType is just the extension.

in this example im forcing (or trying) the download, but no download happens. The response from the server is ok and all i can see in the response is (this is just a fragment):

`3��b�6�0Ln3�ę�ӯH.x��֠��P�"U�j�+�g��L���7PCc�6����s�2O�f��kc��j|]�Q�?�t�Z�����������r%?o��@��2��ʪJ�L�\_�3$h(�u���DO�'O��0ׯ=��J������U��}�v�W��>�,�������u�@C�]l���>`

any ideas? Thanks in advance!

via Chebli Mohamed