Other intangible assets with definite lives (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2014

Other intangible assets with definite lives [Abstract]

Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

Other intangible assets with definite lives. The Company owns several patents, including those covering features of its piping and electronic leak detection systems. The patents are not material either individually, or in the aggregate, because the Company believes sales would not be materially reduced if patent protection were not available. Patents are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over a period not to exceed the legal lives of the patents. The Company expenses costs incurred to renew or extend the term of intangible assets. Gross patents were $2.63 million and $2.60 million as of July 31, 2014 and January 31, 2014, respectively. Accumulated amortization was approximately $2.25 million and $2.23 million as of July 31, 2014 and January 31, 2014, respectively. Future amortizations over the next five years ending January 31 will be $25,600 in 2015, $48,000 in 2016, $44,200 in 2017, $41,200 in 2018, $32,200 in 2019, and $187,900 thereafter.

	Three Months Ended July 31,				Six Months Ended July 31,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Patent amortization expense		$12		$12		$25		$26