Debt And Money Market Securities (Components Of Non-Publicly Traded Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 27, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011	Jul. 29, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt	$ 1,172,948	$ 1,057,124	$ 1,164,834
Non-Publicly Traded Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial paper	110,980	153,955	255,907
Credit facility borrowings	44,364	74,827	83,793
Industrial development bonds	12,502	12,502	12,502
Uncommitted borrowings	5,102	15,840	12,632
Carrying value of debt	$ 172,948	$ 257,124	$ 364,834

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of short-term borrowings using unsecured obligations issued by banks, corporations and other borrowers to investors. The maturities of these money market securities generally do not exceed 270 days.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19

-Subparagraph a(3)

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph 2

-Article 9

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)(3))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the aggregate of total long-term debt, including current maturities and short-term debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of tax-exempt adjustable mode industrial development revenue bonds.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	val_IndustrialDevelopmentBondsCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	val_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of uncollateralized, uncommitted debt obligations with multiple banks across the globe and maturities less than one year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	val_UncommittedBorrowingsCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	val_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant