Other intangible assets with definite lives (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 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. 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 $2.66 million and $2.60 million as of October 31, 2014 and January 31, 2014, respectively. Accumulated amortization was approximately $2.27 million and $2.23 million as of October 31, 2014 and January 31, 2014, respectively. Future amortizations over the next five years ending January 31 will be $13,550 in 2015, $51,000 in 2016, $47,200 in 2017, $44,150 in 2018, $35,200 in 2019, and $205,200 thereafter.

	Three Months Ended October 31,				Nine Months Ended October 31,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Patent amortization expense		$13		$12		$38		$38