Abstract: A thermal insulating and sound absorbing mat a mat cut to a predetermined length, upper and lower films covering lateral surfaces and front and rear end surfaces of the mat with respective minimal required lengths. The films are not damaged during the compression and packaging process nor torn by the internal pressure of the mat during the unpacking operation. The produced thermal insulating article has a structure that meets the requirements of JIS. Such thermal insulating articles can be manufactured by a highly productive method. Mats cut to a predetermined length are transferred sequentially side by side with an interval between adjacent mats such that the films have respective minimal required lengths. Each mat is covered by the films at the upper and lower surfaces and the lateral surfaces. Then, adjacent mats are stopped at a predetermined position with the interval, and are pushed downwardly at the oppositely disposed end surfaces to a predetermined height.