while(my @els = elements(@array, 5) ){
   # Do stuff while we have elements...
}
[download]

1. Install a localized version outside of the caller's scope or otherwise dynamically redefine it for the scope in such a way that it will be restored. (Meaning the first time it is called in a scope, the sub (which is a sub generator) redefines the subname locally and calls the newly installed version. Subsequent calls go straight to the new version until the scope ends and the original sub generator is called next time a scope is entered.
2. Install a lexical marker in the caller's (xcv_outside?)pad so and use Padwalker to reference our current state. Now we can act lexically, though I dont' think pads are "cleared" so I don't know if this would work in all cases (like if the loop is exited prematurely and there are still elements left to iterate)
3. Source filters. Ugh. Don't really like them. Feels wrong.

edited: Mon Nov 18 15:34:59 2002 by jeffa - s/<\/ul>/<\/ol>/

If I understand correctly, what you really want is to have the iterator tied to the array like with each.

{
    my %position;
    sub elements(\@;$) {
        my $arr = shift;
        my $amt = shift || 1;        
        if(not exists $position{$arr} or $position{$arr} < $#$arr) {
            my ($start, $next) = ($position{$arr}, $position{$arr} += 
+$amt);
            return @$arr[$start .. $next - 1];
        }
        else {
            delete $position{$arr};
            return;
        }
    }
}
[download]

Makeshifts last the longest.

I don't suppose this satisfies your criteria? It works, but would screw up if you tried to nest uses of it.

#! perl -sw
use strict;

{
    my $next=0;
    sub elements(\@$) {
        my ($ref, $count) = @_;
        my $max = $#$ref;
        $next=0, return if $next > $max;
        my $first = $next;
        my $last = $next+$count-1;
        $last = $max if $max < $last;
        $next += $count;
        @{$ref}[$first .. $last];
    }
}

my @letters = ('a'..'z');
while(my @els = elements(@letters, 5) ) {
    print "@els\n";
}
__END__
a b c d e
f g h i j
k l m n o
p q r s t
u v w x y
z
[download]

---

Okay you lot, get your wings on the left, halos on the right. It's one size fits all, and "No!", you can't have a different color.
Pick up your cloud down the end and "Yes" if you get allocated a grey one they are a bit damp under foot, but someone has to get them.
Get used to the wings fast cos its an 8 hour day...unless the Govenor calls for a cyclone or hurricane, in which case 16 hour shifts are mandatory.
Just be grateful that you arrived just as the tornado season finished. Them buggers are real work.