Business Segments (Schedule Of Information On The Company's Business Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Total net sales	$ 453,798	$ 378,526	$ 880,887	$ 734,124
Total operating income	79,629	62,780	157,350	120,673
Interest expense	6,720	3,599	13,174	7,033
Other income (expense) - net	347	239	(560)	493
Income before income taxes	73,256	59,420	143,616	114,133
Fluid & Metering Technologies [Member]
External customers	205,155	168,614	400,288	335,554
Intersegment sales	96	189	236	357
Total net sales	205,251	168,803	400,524	335,911
Total operating income	40,288	29,461	80,525	60,450
Health & Science Technologies [Member]
External customers	143,719	104,886	277,033	196,637
Intersegment sales	400	1,345	721	2,885
Total net sales	144,119	106,231	277,754	199,522
Total operating income	28,065	21,209	59,179	40,912
Dispensing Equipment [Member]
External customers	36,002	41,102	67,987	74,640
Intersegment sales	144	33	317	49
Total net sales	36,146	41,135	68,304	74,689
Total operating income	10,377	9,712	16,016	16,351
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products [Member]
External customers	68,922	63,924	135,579	127,293
Intersegment sales	124	67	196	99
Total net sales	69,046	63,991	135,775	127,392
Total operating income	16,488	13,916	31,991	26,987
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Total net sales	(764)	(1,634)	(1,470)	(3,390)
Corporate Office And Other [Member]
Total operating income	$ (15,589)	$ (11,518)	$ (30,361)	$ (24,027)