SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 03, 2012 segments	Feb. 26, 2011	Dec. 03, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of segments	3
Net sales	$ 257,264	$ 245,720
Operating profit	34,312	31,291
Other income (expense), net	646	(207)
Earnings before income taxes	34,958	31,084
Identifiable assets	1,125,738		1,134,933
Engine Mobile Filtration [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	120,283	111,328
Operating profit	23,297	21,202
Identifiable assets	351,850		338,197
Industrial Environmental Filtration [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	121,114	112,119
Operating profit	10,705	7,248
Identifiable assets	682,802		693,266
Packaging [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	15,867	22,273
Operating profit	310	2,841
Identifiable assets	38,194		39,571
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	$ 52,892		$ 63,899

Number of Segments

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- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 7

-Section 03

-Paragraph 12

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Topic 210

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-Section S99

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Publisher FASB

-Paragraph 1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (CON)

-Number 6

-Paragraph 25

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

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-Publisher FASB

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- Definition

This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

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- Definition

The aggregate amount of income or expense from ancillary business-related activities (that is to say, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

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-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7)

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- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

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