Gravity Spiral Chute Conveyor for Packaging

Overview

When your production layout requires products to descend from an overhead conveyor, mezzanine, or elevated platform, a gravity spiral chute provides one of the most cost-effective and reliable ways to do it. Dorner’s gravity spiral chute conveyors use no motors, no belts, and no electricity — just gravity and a carefully engineered helical decline path that guides products down gently and consistently.

The patent-pending stair-step internal design separates these chutes from conventional spiral slides. Products flow smoothly through the chute without stalling or jamming, even when packages accumulate. This self-clearing feature is especially valuable in continuous packaging lines where product buildup would otherwise cause stoppages and manual intervention.

Features and Benefits

These gravity chutes are engineered to balance gentle product handling with durable, long-term construction. The bolt-together assembly makes the unit robust enough for daily production demands while still allowing for configuration flexibility during installation.

Patent-pending stair-step design ensures products won’t get stuck, even when accumulated in the chute
Handles product lengths as short as 3 inches and weights between 1 ounce and 50 lbs
Capable of handling multiple package types simultaneously — cardboard, pouches, flexible packaging, corrugated boxes, and more
Ships fully assembled for fast, simple installation at your facility
Optional UHMW bottom liner and wall liner for reduced friction and quieter operation
Custom infeed and exit chute lengths available (0 to 24 inches)
Clockwise or counter-clockwise floor direction to match your layout

Construction Options

The spiral chute is available in two material configurations to match your application environment. For standard industrial and packaging environments, the galvanized steel construction with plated fasteners provides corrosion resistance and long-lasting durability. For food processing, pharmaceutical, or other sanitary-sensitive applications, the #4 polish 300 series stainless steel option with stainless fasteners delivers the finish and material grade required for clean environments.

Stand options include tubular steel or stainless steel, and the chute must be lagged to the floor for stability during operation.

Applications

Spiral chutes serve any production environment where lightweight products need to be lowered from an elevated point to a lower discharge level. Packaging lines commonly use them to bring finished goods down from mezzanine-level packaging stations to ground-level palletizing or shipping areas. Distribution and fulfillment operations use them to move sorted items from overhead conveyors to packing stations below. Food facilities benefit from the stainless steel option for lowering packaged goods from overhead processing lines while maintaining hygienic standards.

Specifications

Dorner spiral chutes are configurable across a range of dimensions to fit your facility layout and product requirements. Chute widths are available in 8, 12, 18, and 24 inches, with wall heights ranging from 4 to 12 inches depending on the width selected. Inside radius options are 5, 10, or 20 inches depending on chute width. The maximum infeed height is 144 inches, and the minimum discharge height is 18 inches. Spiral angles range from 90° to 450° in 90° increments, with angles of decline between 16° and 20°.

FAQs

What types of products can a gravity spiral chute handle?

Gravity spiral chutes are designed for lightweight products between 1 ounce and 50 lbs, with lengths as short as 3 inches. They accommodate a range of package types including cardboard cartons, corrugated boxes, pouches, flexible packaging, and small parcels. Multiple product types can run through the chute at the same time without special changeover.

How does the stair-step design prevent product jams?

The patent-pending stair-step profile creates a series of subtle breaks in the chute surface that keep products flowing through the spiral even when they accumulate. Unlike a smooth-surface slide where stacked products can lock together and stall, the stair-step geometry disrupts buildup and promotes continuous self-clearing movement.

Do spiral chutes require power or maintenance?

No. Gravity spiral chutes are entirely unpowered — products descend using gravity alone. Without motors, belts, or drive components, there are no moving parts to maintain, lubricate, or replace. This makes spiral chutes one of the lowest-maintenance product lowering solutions available for packaging and distribution environments.

Can I use a spiral chute in a food processing facility?

Yes. The #4 polish 300 series stainless steel construction option with stainless fasteners is designed for food processing and other sanitary environments. The optional UHMW bottom and wall liners further enhance cleanability and reduce friction during product descent.

How is the spiral chute installed?

Spiral chutes ship fully assembled, so installation at your facility is fast and straightforward. The unit must be lagged to the floor for stability, and stand options are available in tubular steel or stainless steel depending on your environment. Custom infeed and exit chute lengths allow the unit to integrate precisely with your existing overhead conveyor or mezzanine discharge point.

Spiral Chute Conveyors