Schedule of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2011	$ 1,431,366	[1]
Acquisition adjustments	1,424
Foreign currency translation	5,746
Acquisition	52,285
Balance at September 30, 2012	1,490,821
Fluid & Metering Technologies
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2011	541,640	[1]
Foreign currency translation	981
Balance at September 30, 2012	542,621
Health & Science Technologies
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2011	648,906	[1]
Acquisition adjustments	1,424
Foreign currency translation	4,548
Acquisition	52,285
Balance at September 30, 2012	707,163
Fire & Safety/Diversified Products
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2011	240,820	[1]
Foreign currency translation	217
Balance at September 30, 2012	$ 241,037

[1] Revised to reflect the movement of the Dispensing Equipment segment to the Fire & Safety/Diversified Products segment and the transfer of $20.6 million of goodwill related to the movement of our Trebor business unit within the Health & Science Technologies segment to the Fluid & Metering Technologies segment.