Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Net sales:
Total net sales	$ 1,121,902	$ 921,333	$ 3,116,460	$ 2,467,595
Operating profit:
Total operating profit	108,046	95,674	268,048	219,094
Restructuring charges:
Restructuring charges	3,396	9,779	11,407	20,566
Restructuring-related inventory charges:
Total restructuring-related inventory charges		94		131
Acquisition-related costs:
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	2,663	5,476	19,228	20,119
Non cash intangible asset impairment charge [Abstract]
Total non-cash intangible asset impairment charge	2,962		2,962
Operating profit before special items:
Total operating profit before special items	117,067	111,023	301,645	259,910
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	34,915	27,749	102,617	84,927
Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	804,013	681,709	2,201,850	1,883,017
Operating profit:
Total operating profit	71,988	71,477	184,191	184,382
Restructuring charges:
Restructuring charges	3,412	5,259	7,960	15,933
Restructuring-related inventory charges:
Total restructuring-related inventory charges		94		131
Acquisition-related costs:
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	2,132	2,587	6,340	6,390
Operating profit before special items:
Total operating profit before special items	77,531	79,417	198,491	206,836
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	22,496	18,394	64,693	59,584
Flexible Products and Services [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	141,170	66,938	403,994	128,679
Operating profit:
Total operating profit	7,756	2,813	11,182	(1,497)
Restructuring charges:
Restructuring charges	682	45	3,914	45
Acquisition-related costs:
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	531	2,889	12,888	13,729
Non cash intangible asset impairment charge [Abstract]
Total non-cash intangible asset impairment charge	2,962		2,962
Operating profit before special items:
Total operating profit before special items	11,932	5,747	30,946	12,277
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	4,157	902	12,477	1,882
Paper Packaging [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	172,760	168,758	496,064	444,548
Operating profit:
Total operating profit	17,559	18,862	56,555	30,196
Restructuring charges:
Restructuring charges	(698)	4,475	(460)	4,588
Operating profit before special items:
Total operating profit before special items	16,861	23,337	56,094	34,784
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	7,786	7,801	23,363	21,611
Land Management [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	3,959	3,928	14,552	11,351
Operating profit:
Total operating profit	10,743	2,522	16,120	6,013
Restructuring charges:
Restructuring charges			(6)
Operating profit before special items:
Total operating profit before special items	10,743	2,522	16,114	6,013
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense:
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	$ 476	$ 652	$ 2,084	$ 1,850