Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 02, 2013 segments	Mar. 03, 2012	Dec. 01, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of segments	3
Net sales	$ 256,271	$ 257,264
Operating profit	33,815	34,312
Other income (expense), net	(11)	646
Earnings before income taxes	33,804	34,958
Identifiable assets	1,186,170		1,205,502
Engine Mobile Filtration [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	117,675	120,283
Operating profit	23,449	23,297
Identifiable assets	368,872		372,011
Industrial Environmental Filtration [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	122,626	121,114
Operating profit	9,678	10,705
Identifiable assets	704,486		706,610
Packaging [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	15,970	15,867
Operating profit	688	310
Identifiable assets	37,974		36,350
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	$ 74,838		$ 90,531

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.

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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).

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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.

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