Other intangible assets with definite lives (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2016

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [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 October 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016, respectively. Accumulated amortization was approximately $2.37 million and $2.33 million as of October 31, 2016 and January 31, 2016, respectively. Future amortizations over the next five years ending January 31 will be $11,500 in 2017, $43,150 in 2018, $34,150 in 2019, $31,150 in 2020, $24,800 in 2021, and $98,125 thereafter. Patents are included in other assets in the balance sheet.

	Three Months Ended October 31,				Nine Months Ended October 31,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Patent amortization expense		$12		$14		$34		$40