Beverage jug cover with enhanced spigot protection and access

Abstract

A cover for a beverage jug having a spigot. The cover includes a side panel that curves back upon itself so that two vertical side edges of the side panel can be joined together by a seam. A top panel is joined to the top edge of the side panel by a seam that extends around the top panel. A zipper extends from the bottom edge and into the side panel to form at least one flap when opened that provides access to the spigot of the beverage jug. The beverage jug and cooler cover effectively covers and protects beverage jugs and beverage coolers, and provides additional insulation to help extend the time that the beverage remains cold, protects the plastic of the jug or cooler from exposure to ultraviolet rays, while also protecting the spigot of the beverage jug or cooler from attracting and collecting insects, dust, and/or dirt.

1 . A beverage jug cover for covering a beverage jug having a spigot, the beverage jug cover comprising:
 a rectangular side panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two vertical side edges, the rectangular side panel being curved back upon itself, the two vertical side edges of the side panel being joined together by a seam;   a top panel joined to the top edge of the rectangular side panel by a seam that extends peripherally around the top panel; and   a zipper extending from the bottom edge and extending into the rectangular side panel, the zipper having a slider and a puller, the zipper configured to provide at least one flap that provides access to the spigot of the beverage jug when the zipper is opened using the slider and the puller.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , wherein the zipper is configured to provide two flaps that together provide access to the spigot of the beverage jug when the zipper is opened using the slider and the puller. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , further including a second zipper, the second zipper extending from the bottom edge and extending into the rectangular side panel, the second zipper configured to cooperate with the first zipper so as to provide at least one flap that provides access to the spigot of the beverage jug when the first zipper and the second zipper are opened. 
     
     
         4 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , wherein the top panel is round. 
     
     
         5 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , wherein the top panel is one of:
 square, rectangular, oval, triangular, or hexagonal, when covering a beverage jug having a horizontal cross-section matching one of those shapes.   
     
     
         6 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage jug cover is sized so as to fit snugly over a beverage jug of similar shape and size, thereby also covering the spigot. 
     
     
         7 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 6 , wherein the size of the beverage jug is one of:
 5 gallon, 10 gallon.   
     
     
         8 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , wherein the top panel has a plurality of ventilation holes that ensure that the beverage jug cover does not present a suffocation hazard. 
     
     
         9 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , wherein the rectangular side panel and the top panel each include thermal insulating material, thereby effectively providing additional thermal insulation to the beverage jug. 
     
     
         10 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , wherein the rectangular side panel and the top panel each include solar reflective material, thereby reflecting heat radiation and ultraviolet radiation so as to protect the beverage jug from degradation of the plastic material of the jug. 
     
     
         11 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , wherein the rectangular side panel and the top panel each are made from a material that is “machine washable”. 
     
     
         12 . A beverage jug cover for covering a beverage jug having a spigot, the beverage jug cover comprising:
 a rectangular side panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two vertical side edges,   the rectangular side panel being curved back upon itself,   the two vertical side edges of the side panel being joined together by a seam,   a pair of cuts extending from the bottom edge into the rectangular side panel so as to provide a flap that is configured to provide access to the spigot of the beverage jug;   a top panel joined to the top edge of the rectangular side panel by a seam that extends peripherally around the top panel; and   a pair of hook and loop fasteners, each hook and loop fastener securing a respective cut such that the flap can be opened by separating the respective hook and loop fastener, thereby exposing the spigot of the jug for use.   
     
     
         13 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , wherein the top panel is round. 
     
     
         14 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , wherein the top panel is one of:
 square, rectangular, oval, triangular, or hexagonal, when covering a beverage jug having a horizontal cross-section matching one of those shapes.   
     
     
         15 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage jug cover is sized so as to fit snugly over a beverage jug of similar shape and size, thereby also covering the spigot. 
     
     
         16 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 15 , wherein the size of the beverage jug is one of:
 5 gallon, 10 gallon.   
     
     
         17 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , wherein the top panel has a plurality of ventilation holes that ensure that the beverage jug cover does not present a suffocation hazard. 
     
     
         18 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , wherein the rectangular side panel and the top panel each include thermal insulating material, thereby effectively providing additional thermal insulation to the beverage jug. 
     
     
         19 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , wherein the rectangular side panel and the top panel each include solar reflective material, thereby reflecting heat radiation and ultraviolet radiation so as to protect the beverage jug from degradation of the plastic material of the jug. 
     
     
         20 . The beverage jug cover of  claim 1 , wherein the rectangular side panel and the top panel each are made from a material that is “machine washable”.