Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 01, 2012	Aug. 27, 2011	Sep. 01, 2012 segments	Aug. 27, 2011	Dec. 03, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of segments			3
Net sales	$ 286,733	$ 284,819	$ 828,852	$ 819,072
Operating profit	46,181	46,461	129,604	126,532
Other income (expense), net	(206)	99	404	(318)
Earnings before income taxes	45,975	46,560	130,008	126,214
Identifiable assets	1,181,419		1,181,419		1,134,933
Engine Mobile Filtration [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	126,903	129,467	377,863	372,071
Operating profit	28,478	30,175	81,403	80,969
Identifiable assets	362,870		362,870		338,197
Industrial Environmental Filtration [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	138,532	132,380	394,275	377,998
Operating profit	15,741	13,650	44,193	37,077
Identifiable assets	704,820		704,820		693,266
Packaging [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	21,298	22,972	56,714	69,003
Operating profit	1,962	2,636	4,008	8,486
Identifiable assets	39,930		39,930		39,571
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	$ 73,799		$ 73,799		$ 63,899