CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 629,779	$ 627,600
Cost of sales	304,065	300,517
Gross profit	325,714	327,083
Selling, general and administrative expenses	194,884	195,965
Research and development	23,267	22,575
Restructuring and other charges, net	9,198	4,274
Interest (income)/expense, net	5,977	(568)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	92,388	104,837
Provision for income taxes	20,875	15,672
Net earnings from continuing operations	71,513	89,165
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	250,307
Net earnings	$ 71,513	$ 339,472
Earnings per share from continuing operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 0.78
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.63	$ 0.77
Earnings per share from discontinued operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 2.18
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 2.15
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 2.96
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.63	$ 2.92
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.275	$ 0.250
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	111,870	114,589
Diluted	113,135	116,097