Restructuring and Asset Impairment (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands	6 Months Ended
Jul. 03, 2011
Actions 2011[Member] \| Severance and Termination Benefits [Member]
Restructuring Accrual Activity
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	$ 0
2011 charges	3,363
Cash receipts/(payments)	(736)
Foreign currency translation	15
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	2,642
Actions 2010 [Member] \| Severance and Termination Benefits [Member]
Restructuring Accrual Activity
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	1,282
2011 charges	181
Adjustments	(43)
Cash receipts/(payments)	(872)
Foreign currency translation	11
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	559
Actions 2009 [Member] \| Severance and Termination Benefits [Member]
Restructuring Accrual Activity
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	4,696
2011 charges	47
Adjustments	212
Cash receipts/(payments)	(1,130)
Foreign currency translation	3
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	3,828
Actions 2011[Member] \| Asset Impairment Disposal of Assets [Member]
Restructuring Accrual Activity
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
2011 charges	6,582
Cash receipts/(payments)	4,999
Asset write downs/disposals	(11,581)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
Actions 2010 [Member] \| Asset Impairment Disposal of Assets [Member]
Restructuring Accrual Activity
Adjustments	(1,651)
Cash receipts/(payments)	2,737
Asset write downs/disposals	(1,086)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
Actions 2009 [Member] \| Asset Impairment Disposal of Assets [Member]
Restructuring Accrual Activity
Adjustments	(10)
Cash receipts/(payments)	720
Asset write downs/disposals	(710)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
Actions 2011[Member] \| Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring Accrual Activity
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
2011 charges	692
Cash receipts/(payments)	(692)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
Actions 2010 [Member] \| Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring Accrual Activity
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	59
2011 charges	509
Cash receipts/(payments)	(568)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
Actions 2009 [Member] \| Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring Accrual Activity
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
2011 charges	1,512
Adjustments	(289)
Cash receipts/(payments)	(1,223)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	0
Actions 2011[Member]
Restructuring Accrual Activity
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	0
2011 charges	10,637
Cash receipts/(payments)	3,571
Asset write downs/disposals	(11,581)
Foreign currency translation	15
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	2,642
Actions 2010 [Member]
Restructuring Accrual Activity
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	1,341
2011 charges	690
Adjustments	(1,694)
Cash receipts/(payments)	1,297
Asset write downs/disposals	(1,086)
Foreign currency translation	11
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	559
Actions 2009 [Member]
Restructuring Accrual Activity
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	4,696
2011 charges	1,559
Adjustments	(87)
Cash receipts/(payments)	(1,633)
Asset write downs/disposals	(710)
Foreign currency translation	3
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	3,828
Earlier Actions [Member]
Restructuring Accrual Activity
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	981
Cash receipts/(payments)	(838)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	$ 713

Restructuring Reserve Asset Writeoffs.

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Namespace Prefix:	son
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of any reversal and other adjustment made during the period to the amount of a previously accrued liability for a specified type of restructuring cost, excluding adjustments for costs incurred during the period, costs settled during the period, and foreign currency translation adjustments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 95-3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 146

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of known and estimated obligations associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding costs or losses pertaining to an entity newly acquired in a business combination, which are expected to be paid in the next twelve months or in the normal operating cycle if longer. Costs of such activities include those for one-time termination benefits, termination of an operating lease or other contract, consolidating or closing facilities, and relocating employees, and costs associated with an ongoing benefit arrangement, but excludes costs associated with the retirement of a long-lived asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 4

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 146
-Paragraph 20

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 95-3

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reserve increase representing the amount charged against earnings in the period for a specified incurred and estimated type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 146

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash paid in the period to fully or partially settle a specified, previously accrued type of restructuring cost.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of foreign currency translation adjustment increasing or decreasing the accrual for a specified type of restructuring cost.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration