Business Segments (Schedule Of Information On The Company's Business Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 489,417	$ 427,089
Total operating income	84,569	77,721
Interest expense	10,662	6,454
Other income (expense) - net	117	(907)
Income before income taxes	74,024	70,360
Fluid & Metering Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External customers	212,466	199,534
Intersegment sales	252	140
Total net sales	212,718	199,674
Total operating income	44,526	41,852
Health & Science Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External customers	173,221	128,913
Intersegment sales	565	321
Total net sales	173,786	129,234
Total operating income	30,270	29,499
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External customers	103,730	98,642
Intersegment sales	320	245
Total net sales	104,050	98,887
Total operating income	23,688	21,142
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	(1,137)	(706)
Corporate Office/Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating income	$ (13,915)	$ (14,772)