Reconciliation of Segment Income from Operations to Income before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total segment income from operations	$ 68,639	[1],[2]	$ 94,462	[1],[2]	$ 134,402	[1],[2]	$ 148,105	[1],[2]
Interest and other debt expense	54,732		16,446		70,322		30,385
Income before income taxes	$ 13,907		$ 78,016		$ 64,080		$ 117,720

[1] Income from operations for corporate includes costs attributable to announced acquisitions of $0.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and also includes income of $27.0 million and $25.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively, for proceeds received as a result of the termination of the merger agreement with Graham Packaging Company Inc., or the Graham Packaging merger agreement, net of costs associated with certain corporate development activities.

[2] Income from operations of the metal containers segment includes new plant start-up costs of $1.9 million and $2.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and a charge for the resolution of a past product liability dispute of $3.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.