Other intangible assets with definite lives (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2016

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 $2.60 million and $2.59 million as of April 30, 2016 and January 31, 2016, respectively. Accumulated amortization was approximately $2.35 million and $2.33 million as of April 30, 2016 and January 31, 2016, respectively. Future amortizations over the next five years ending January 31 will be $34,929 in 2017, $41,100 in 2018, $32,100 in 2019, $29,100 in 2020, $22,850 in 2021, and $92,850 thereafter. Patents are included in other assets in the balance sheet.

Three Months Ended April 30,

Patent amortization expense