Reconciliation of Income Before Income Taxes from Segment Income from Operations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total segment income from operations	$ 354,121	[1],[2]	$ 283,319	[3],[4]	$ 298,598
Interest and other debt expense	63,954		61,639		50,999
Income before income taxes	$ 290,167		$ 221,680		$ 247,599

[1] Metal containers includes a charge for the resolution of a past product liability dispute of $3.3 million.

[2] Corporate includes income of $25.2 million for proceeds received as a result of the termination of the merger agreement with Graham Packaging, net of costs associated with certain corporate development activities.

[3] Closures includes a charge of $3.2 million for the remeasurement of net assets in Venezuela.

[4] Corporate includes costs attributable to announced acquisitions of $2.7 million.