Debt and Other Financing Arrangements	3 Months Ended
Mar. 30, 2013
Debt And Other Financing Arrangements Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt and Other Financing Arrangements [Text Block]	Note 8. Debt and Other Financing Arrangements Credit Facilities The company has a revolving credit facility with a bank group that provides for up to $1.5 billion of unsecured multi-currency revolving credit consisting of a $1 billion 5-year credit agreement, with the ability to request an additional $500 million. The facility expires in April 2017, however, the company expects to renegotiate the terms prior to closing the Life Technologies acquisition (Note 15). The agreement calls for interest at either a LIBOR-based rate or a rate based on the prime lending rate of the agent bank, at the company's option. The agreement contains affirmative, negative and financial covenants, and events of default customary for financings of this type. The financial covenant requires the company to maintain a Consolidated Leverage Ratio of debt to EBITDA (as defined in the agreements) below 3.5 to 1.0. The credit agreement permits the company to use the facility for working capital; acquisitions; repurchases of common stock, debentures and other securities; the refinancing of debt; and general corporate purposes. The credit agreement allows for the issuance of letters of credit, which reduces the amount available for borrowing. If the company borrows under this facility, it intends to leave undrawn an amount equivalent to outstanding commercial paper ($50 million at March 30, 2013) to provide a source of funds in the event that commercial paper markets are not available. As of March 30, 2013, no borrowings were outstanding under the facility, although available capacity was reduced by approximately $53 million as a result of outstanding letters of credit.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for information about short-term and long-term debt arrangements, which includes amounts of borrowings under each line of credit, note payable, commercial paper issue, bonds indenture, debenture issue, own-share lending arrangements and any other contractual agreement to repay funds, and about the underlying arrangements, rationale for a classification as long-term, including repayment terms, interest rates, collateral provided, restrictions on use of assets and activities, whether or not in compliance with debt covenants, and other matters important to users of the financial statements, such as the effects of refinancing and noncompliance with debt covenants.

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