Other intangible assets with definite lives (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 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 $2.61 million and $2.59 million as of July 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016, respectively. Accumulated amortization was approximately $2.36 million and $2.33 million as of July 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016, respectively. Future amortizations over the next five years ending January 31 will be $22,900 in 2017, $41,600 in 2018, $33,650 in 2019, $30,650 in 2020, $24,450 in 2021, and $101,200 thereafter. Patents are included in other assets in the balance sheet.

	Three Months Ended July 31,				Six Months Ended July 31,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Patent amortization expense		$11		$13		$22		$26