Reportable Business Segment Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 858,803	[1]	$ 1,139,547	[1]	$ 821,611	[1]	$ 768,357	[1]	$ 835,908	[2]	$ 1,148,008	[2]	$ 822,224	[2]	$ 703,087	[2]	$ 3,588,318		$ 3,509,227		$ 3,071,545
Depreciation and amortization																	165,015		158,801		142,949
Rationalization charges	2,900		2,000		200		3,600		2,900		600		2,400		1,700		8,660		7,717		22,214
Segment income from operations																	325,509	[3]	354,121	[4]	283,319	[5]
Segment assets	3,226,103								2,944,744								3,226,103		2,944,744		2,136,168
Capital expenditures																	119,241		173,009		105,395
Metal Containers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales																	2,293,749		2,211,549		1,864,157
Depreciation and amortization																	87,629		79,655		67,114
Rationalization charges																	2,446		1,378		694
Segment income from operations																	231,456	[3]	256,336	[4]	232,620	[5]
Segment assets	1,742,842								1,714,516								1,742,842		1,714,516		931,244
Capital expenditures																	68,737		108,394		47,836
Closures
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales																	680,031		687,801		618,805
Depreciation and amortization																	32,427		33,232		28,771
Rationalization charges																	2,878		1,805		9,212
Segment income from operations																	73,148	[3]	75,897	[4]	58,557	[5]
Segment assets	639,598								632,048								639,598		632,048		627,006
Capital expenditures																	19,838		24,637		15,769
Plastic Containers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales																	614,538		609,877		588,583
Depreciation and amortization																	44,203		44,237		45,385
Rationalization charges																	3,336		3,996		12,308
Segment income from operations																	30,848	[3]	12,639	[4]	10,291	[5]
Segment assets	809,937								561,312								809,937		561,312		537,978
Capital expenditures																	30,405		39,904		41,707
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization																	756		1,677		1,679
Rationalization charges																			538
Segment income from operations																	(9,943)	[3]	9,249	[4]	(18,149)	[5]
Segment assets	33,726								36,868								33,726		36,868		39,940
Capital expenditures																	$ 261		$ 74		$ 83

[1] The first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2012 include rationalization charges of $3.6 million, $0.2 million, $2.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively. The first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2012 include plant start-up costs of $1.0 million, $1.9 million, $1.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively. The second and third quarters of 2012 include costs attributable to announced acquisitions of $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The second quarter of 2012 includes a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $38.7 million.

[2] The first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2011 include rationalization charges of $1.7 million, $2.4 million, $0.6 million and $2.9 million, respectively. The first quarter of 2011 includes costs attributable to announced acquisitions of $1.8 million. The second quarter of 2011 includes income of $27.0 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, and a charge for the resolution of a past product liability dispute of $3.3 million. The third quarter of 2011 includes a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $1.0 million.

[3] Metal containers includes plant start-up costs of $6.4 million. Corporate includes costs attributable to announced acquisitions of $1.5 million.

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

[5] Closures includes a charge of $3.2 million for the remeasurement of net assets in Venezuela. Corporate includes costs attributable to announced acquisitions of $2.7 million.