batch function

var timeout;
var batch = [];

batcher = function(attributes) {
  batch.push(attributes);

  if (! timeout) {
    // send whatever we have in the queue after 5 seconds
    timeout = setTimeout(function() {
      console.log('sending a batch of ' + batch.length + '...');
      
      // do something

      batch = [];
      timeout = false;
    }, 5000);
  }
};