SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 02, 2012	May 28, 2011	Jun. 02, 2012 segments	May 28, 2011	Dec. 03, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of segments			3
Net sales	$ 284,855	$ 288,533	$ 542,119	$ 534,253
Operating profit	49,111	48,780	83,423	80,071
Other income (expense), net	(36)	(210)	610	(417)
Earnings before income taxes	49,075	48,570	84,033	79,654
Identifiable assets	1,142,860		1,142,860		1,134,933
Engine Mobile Filtration [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	130,677	131,276	250,960	242,604
Operating profit	29,628	29,592	52,925	50,794
Identifiable assets	356,869		356,869		338,197
Industrial Environmental Filtration [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	134,629	133,499	255,743	245,618
Operating profit	17,747	16,179	28,452	23,427
Identifiable assets	695,353		695,353		693,266
Packaging [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	19,549	23,758	35,416	46,031
Operating profit	1,736	3,009	2,046	5,850
Identifiable assets	38,336		38,336		39,571
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	$ 52,302		$ 52,302		$ 63,899